28th IdeaXchange: STI Master Plan

ASM organised the 28th IdeaXchange on 8 March 2018. This session served as a “Test-Bed” to share the findings as well as initial thoughts that have been collected throughout five regional Strategic Stakeholder Consultation Workshops on the STI Master Plan (STIMP) Study (2020 -2030).

Professor Dato’ Dr Rahmah Mohamed FASc, the Project Director of STIMP Study (2020 -2030) prefaced the session by introducing the background of the project to the audience. ASM was appointed by MOSTI to undertake the study on preparing the Science, Technology and Innovation Master Plan (STIMP) 2020-2030, following a decision of the National Science Council (NSC) in December 2016.

During the IdeaXchange session, representatives from each Focus Area’s Working Group (WG) presented their findings on the sectoral issues, gaps, challenges needs and solutions that were collected through the preceding five regional workshops. In addition, the Governance WG presented their initial thoughts on the STI Governance Ecosystem.

Following the Project Director’s presentation, Working Group leaders were up next to present their findings from the previous regional workshops.

Under Governance, the group will work on strengthening the STI Management Cycle, to identify National STI Priorities and reduce overlaps in STI-related policies.

Based on the feedback obtained from the previous workshops, the Talent WG aims to improve on education curriculum and system, future skills and job prospects.

The Economics & Finance WG will act upon the feedback during the workshops conducted to address issues such as weak management, a restrictive scope and generic orientation, negative perception on university/PRI research and SME constraints.

The Infrastructure WG seeks to improve the nation’s digital, environmental, physical, social as well as RDCI aspects of infrastructure.

Finally, the Industry WG will work towards improving low support for local products/services, SMEs that aren’t able to do R&D, talent retention, insufficient funding for STI initiatives by MNCs.

Based on this IdeaXchange session, the audience’s feedback was obtained regarding their initial thoughts on the Sectoral Objectives, Framework, Thematic Areas, Thrusts, Strategies, Goals and Action Plans. These constructive feedbacks will be used to pave the way forward for improvisation.

The STI Master Plan Study team welcomes feedback from various members of society. Please log on here for more information.