Government puts in RM1 billion for R&D at IPT next year

0

SEREMBAN: The government has provided RM1 billion in 2013 to carry out research and development (R&D) at institutions of higher learning (IPT) in the country.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said from the total, RM400 million would be channelled under the ministry’s fundamental research fund while the remaining RM600 million would be allocated to five research universities to conduct high impact research in strategic fields such as nano technology, automotive, bio-technology as well as aerospace.

“In order to distribute the ministry’s RM400 million fundamental research fund fairly, I have asked the Higher Education Department to improvise an effective approach so that from next year, public institution researchers from non-research universities could also have equal access to the fund,” he said here yesterday.

He disclosed this to reporters after the launching of CREAM (Current Research in Malaysia) journal and a second Higher Education Ministry policy research book at the Higher Education Leadership Academy, Bandar Enstek near here. Also present was ministry Secretary-General Datuk Abdul Rahim Md Noor.

Khaled said the focus of the research would be on subjects which could give great impact to the country. — Bernama