Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology

The Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology or better known as MIGHT is an independent non-profit technology think tank under the purview of the Prime Minister's Department.[1] It was established in 1993 to support the Science Advisor to the Prime Minister and leverage on the multi-disciplinary and inter-ministerial synergies from both the industry and Government.

Malaysian Industry Government Group for High Technology
AbbreviationMIGHT
Formation1993
Founded atPutrajaya
TypeNon-profit organisation think tank
HeadquartersCyberjaya
Location
Region served
Malaysia
Parent organization
Prime Minister's Department
Websitewww.might.org.my

MIGHT was tasked to be forward looking, utilizing foresight & futures (then known as prospecting) to help drive the advancement of high technology competency and capacity in Malaysia. A public-private partnership organization in nature, it provides a consensus building platform for collaboration in developing policies and strategic advice to the government.

Through its platform and works, MIGHT gave birth to notable and strategic national initiatives such Malaysia's Formula 1, Kulim High-Tech Park, Malaysian Automotive Institute, Technology Depository Agency and many others. Remaining in the background, MIGHT is known in certain circles to be a "surrogate mother" or the "nation's kitchen crew".

History

Malaysia's emphasis on development of science and technology (S&T) is nothing new. The government has long initiated active measures to promote and develop techno-business opportunities by harnessing science and technology (S&T). In 1984, under then Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, a Science Advisor’s post was created in the Prime Minister’s Department to create a conducive ecosystem where S&T and its uptake could flourish. The move is seen as complementary as well as to provide a second opinion to those of the relevant Ministries. Dr. Omar Abdul Rahman[2] was appointed to the post of Science Advisor to the Prime Minister and held the post until he retired in 2001.
The seed of MIGHT was sown when a Unit under the Office of Science Advisor was created aptly named 'High Technology Special Unit' (Unit Khas Teknologi Tinggi) . This unit then grew to become what MIGHT is today.
MIGHT's focus and emphasis has been very dynamic throughout the years but has always been in the areas of high technology and heavy engineering. The focus emphasis was dependent on the maturity of the industry as well as timing of the intervention. Throughout the years, MIGHT focus areas includes but not limited to the following:-

SectorSectorSector
Aerospace[3][4][5]AutomotiveAdvance Materials
BiotechnologyCosmetics & PharmaceuticalsEnergy
Electronics & ElectricalGreen ManagementHerbal
Housing & ConstructionIntelligent Transport SystemRail Transport
Road HaulageSmart CityShipbuilding & Ship Repair
TelecommunicationWasteNanotechnology
Medical DevicesSensors[6]Plantation Crops & Commodities

Board & Management

Joint Chairmen

MIGHT is chaired jointly by the Science advisor as well as a senior captain of the industry appointed by the Prime Minister.
2011 – present

Board of Directors

MIGHT's board is represented by both senior government officials and captains of the industry. This includes representatives from the following organizations.
Government representation

  1. Prime Minister's Department
  2. Economic Planning Unit
  3. Ministry of Finance
  4. Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation
  5. Ministry of Energy, Green Technology & Water
  6. Ministry of International Trade & Industry

Industry representation

  1. Petronas - Petroliam Nasional Berhad
  2. TNB - Tenaga Nasional Berhad
  3. MARA -Majlis Amanah Rakyat
  4. Sime Darby Berhad
  5. Bina Puri Holdings Berhad
  6. First Solar Malaysia Sdn Bhd
  7. System Consultancy Services Sdn Bhd

Senior Management

MIGHT is helmed by a President & Chief Executive Officer and supported by Senior Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents. The make up of the senior management changes with the growth of the organization as well as changes in emphasis to reflect the dynamic nature of MIGHT's focus areas. The following is the current senior management of MIGHT
President & CEO

  • 2008 - Present - Dr. Yusoff Sulaiman

Senior Vice Presidents

  • 2012 - Present - Dr. Raslan Ahmad
  • 2014 - Present - Rushdi Abdul Rahim[8]

Vice Presidents

  • 2009 - Present - Abdul Halim Bisri
  • 2009 - Present - Mohd Zakwan Mohd Zabidi

Programs & Activities

MIGHT's programs and activities revolves around the following

  • Foresight & Futures Thinking
  • Technology Priorities & Advancement
  • Global Strategies & Outreach
  • Enhancing Future Talents
  • Technopreneurship Excellence
  • Science Governance & Diplomacy (In support of Science Advisor)

Foresight & Futures Thinking

Foresight & futures thinking is a core competency and activity of MIGHT.[9] Known as technology prospecting in its early days, MIGHT has been conducting technology foresight and future studies work to support its other activities though there are evolution and changes to the methods and processes.[10] To expand foresight beyond technology, MIGHT created myForesight - Malaysia Foresight Institute in 2012.

myForesight® (Malaysian Foresight Institute)

myForesight® was created in 2012 with the following objectives:-

  1. To explore of future possibilities for better decision making
  2. To build national capacity in foresight & futures

Technology Priorities & Advancement

Outcome of MIGHT's foresight & future studies are used to prioritize technology and industry development in Malaysia. To date, MIGHT has produced more than twenty (20) industry/sector blueprints and road maps. These documents were used as references to chart the development of various industry and technology in Malaysia. Various white papers and proposals by MIGHT are also used for these purposes.
In continuous search of new areas, some of these programs have since been passed to other government agencies or machineries to undertake. The following are among notable programs conducted by MIGHT:-

Technology & Industry Plans & Reports

The following are highlights of Publications produced by MIGHT:-

  • Malaysian High Technology Report
  • Malaysian Aerospace Industry Report
  • Malaysian Shipbuilding & Ship Repairs Industry Report[11]
  • Malaysian Solar Industry Report[12]

Technology & Industry Advancement Programs
  • National Offset Program[13] (Now by Technology Depository Agency)
  • Malaysia Automotive Institute (Now under the purview of Ministry of International Trade & Investment)
  • Malaysia Microchip Project
  • Industrialized Building System - IBS

Global Strategies & Outreach

Since its inception, MIGHT has actively been leveraging its global network as part of a strategy to built national capacity as well as to disseminate knowledge and expertise. Notable past activities includes Langkawi International Dialogue, various Smart Partnership program with CPTM. Nowadays the program of choice are the following:-

Global Science, Innovation & Advisory Council (GSIAC)

GSIAC[14] is chaired by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, The secretary is the Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The council consists of selected Malaysian Ministers, national and global corporate leaders, Nobel Laureates, eminent global academicians and researchers. The council meets once a year to deliberate on strategic and future matters that will benefit Malaysia in the long run

Malaysia - Korea Technology Center (myKOR)

myKOR[15] or Malaysia Korea Technology Center was launched by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on 20 October 2008.[16] The center purpose is to serve as a gateway for Malaysian organizations and businesses to capitalize and gain access to the pool of Korean IPs and technologies, for the purpose of enhancing and increasing the value of Malaysian made products and services.[17]

Enhancing Future Talents

Recognizing that technology and industry development will require the necessary human capital to support them, MIGHT has been involved in various human capital development programs. This is done through partnership with selected educational institutions as well as industry collaborators. These includes programs that aims to promote the uptake of Science,[18] Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) amongst students as well as industry bridging programs.

Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF)

KLESF[19] is an annual program jointly organized by MIGHT, Akademi Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. The program objectives is to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) to students, parents, teachers and public alike.

Fame Lab Malaysia

Fame Lab is a science communication competition co-organized by MIGHT & British Council in search of the best science communicator in the country. In 2016, Dr Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam, representing Malaysia won the ‘Best Science Communicator award at Fame Lab International 2016.[20] Fame Lab International is the world’s biggest science communication competitions organized in the United Kingdom attracting participants from 27 countries.

School Lab Malaysia

School Lab Malaysia A science communication competition that aims to help students understand the exciting challenges of science, develop critical and creative thinking skills and, at the same time, gain confidence to present their understanding of scientific concepts.[21]

Technopreneurship Excellence

MIGHT's foray into entrepreneurship is due to its role in encouraging the uptake of technology business. To date MIGHT's venture into this includes technology advice and coaching, market identification and access.

Global Cleantech Innovation Program (GCIP)

Global Cleantech Innovation Program (GCIP) is a program conducted in collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organization[22] (UNIDO) and Cleantech Open to assist Malaysian entrepreneurs in the area of Green & Clean Technology. The program started in 2014 and the winners of the program are given opportunities to pitch in Silicon Valley as well as access to funding provided by Platcom Ventures.

  1. Malaysian Industry Government Group for High Technology official portal
  2. Official Portal of Prime Minister's Department
  3. Global Science, Innovation & Advisory Council
  4. Global Cleantech Innovation Program
  5. myForesight - Malaysian Foresight Institute

References
  1. "MIGHT presents draft for aerospace industry blueprint". The Star (Business News). 4 November 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  2. Jaafar, Johan (15 August 2015). "A giant among men". New Straits Time. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  3. "Malaysia Reiterates Interest In Mexico's Expertise In Aerospace Sector". Bernama. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  4. Achukuala, Cheryl (5 November 1014). "Aerospace plan set for take-off" (News). New Straits Time. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  5. "Aerospace plan in progress". The Star (Business News). Bernama. 23 March 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  6. Selko, Adrienne (19 March 2007). "Malaysia Microchip Project Unveils Smallest RFID Microchip". Industry Week. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  7. Chandran, Sheela (2 May 2014). "Zakri, A Giant Among Men" (Lifestyle). The Star Malaysia. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  8. Gamage, D.; Fernando, N. (8 June 2016). "Foresight and Innovation Summit – What was it all about?" (Our Perspective). UNDP Sri Lanka. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  9. Nambiar, Shankaran (24 June 2015). "The usefulness of speculating on possible futures". The Sun. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  10. "One step ahead: Looking beyond tomorrow". New Straits Times. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  11. Malaysian Shipbuilding/Ship Repair Industry Report (2015 ed.). MIGHT. 2015. p. 40. ISBN 978-967-11818-5-0.
  12. Malaysian Solar Industry Report (2013 ed.). MIGHT. 2013. p. 40. ISBN 978-967-11818-4-3.
  13. "MIGHT seeks higher technology role through industrial participation". Countertrade & Offset. CTO Data Services Co. 25 July 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  14. Black, Richard (19 May 2011). "Reaching out for sustainability" (Science & Environment). BBC. BBC. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  15. "Malaysia benefits from Korean effort to establish Asean R&D network" (Business). Borneo Post. Bernama. 17 April 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  16. "PM launches Malaysia-Korea tech centre" (Business). New Straits Times. 21 October 2008.
  17. "Strengthening South Korea-Malaysia Partnership" (Business). Business Today. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  18. Sani, Rozana (27 June 2016). "Raising interest in science". New Straits Time. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  19. Raphael, Jacqueline (31 October 2015). "Miri students in the Young Innovate 2015 competition". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  20. "Malaysian scientist is 'Best Science Communicator'". New Straits Times. Bernama. 11 June 2016.
  21. Lim, Ruby (3 May 2016). "Young scientists in the making". The Star (Community). Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  22. "UNIDO organizes event to celebrate success of program promoting innovation in clean technologies". AryNews. 15 February 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
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