![\"convosphere,](\"https:\/\/www.akademisains.gov.my\/asm-focus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2026\/04\/convosphere-2026-2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nTo address this, the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, on 31 March 2026, organised Convosphere: Signal in the Noise<\/strong>, bringing together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders and players in the wider ecosystem to examine how innovation can move more effectively from discovery to real-world outcomes.<\/p>\n In her opening address, Puan Hazami Habib, CEO of ASM, framed the forum as a strategic platform to close the persistent gap between ideas and real-world impact within Malaysia\u2019s STIE ecosystem.<\/p>\n She highlighted that while the country possesses strong research capabilities and innovative talent, too many promising ideas falter in what she termed the \u201cmessy middle\u201d of innovation, where execution, coordination, and implementation break down due to silos, misaligned incentives, and regulatory bottlenecks.<\/p>\n Emphasising ASM\u2019s commitment to a mission-oriented approach, she positioned Convosphere as more than just a discussion forum, but a starting point for translating insights into concrete policies and actions by aligning stakeholders, resources, and capabilities towards clear national missions with measurable outcomes.<\/p>\n \u201cBy focusing on the messy middle, we are deliberately shifting the conversation\u2014from what we can imagine, to what we can deliver. From aspiration to implementation. From potential to impact.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Following Puan Hazami\u2019s opening remarks, the panel session commences, which featured ASM President Academician Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen FASc<\/a>, Dr Byeongwon Park<\/a> (Senior Research Fellow at the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI<\/a>)), Mdm Aedreena Reeza Alwi<\/a> (Senior Director of the Delivery Management Unit, Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI<\/a>)), and Mr Chan Kee Siak<\/a> (founder and CEO of Exabytes Group<\/a>). The session was moderated by Mr Luqman Hariz<\/a> (Anchor and Journalist, ASTRO Awani<\/a>).<\/p>\n Academician Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen FASc, ASM<\/strong><\/p>\n Academician Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen FASc highlighted the RDICE framework<\/a> as a continuous cycle linking research, innovation, commercialisation and economic growth.<\/p>\n The cycle begins with research and development, where new knowledge is translated into practical solutions, feeding innovation that generates products, processes and services with societal value.<\/p>\n Through commercialisation, these ideas create income, cost savings and measurable impact, ultimately strengthening the economy through productivity gains, job creation and improved quality of life.<\/p>\n However, he noted that Malaysia\u2019s STIE ecosystem, while delivering economic progress between 2000 and 2019, has not achieved comparable societal and environmental outcomes.<\/p>\n The ecosystem remained largely stagnant from 2010 to 2019, with signs of social and environmental regression, underscoring the need to mainstream science, technology and innovation as a core enabler of balanced development.<\/p>\n Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman also pointed to persistently low industry participation in R&D, despite policy shifts towards experimental development and higher private\u2011sector expenditure.<\/p>\n With only a small share of businesses investing in R&D, Malaysia remains heavily reliant on public institutions, highlighting the urgency of stronger industry engagement to translate research into economic value.<\/p>\n He further underscored the importance of strengthened governance through the National Science Council framework and a mission\u2011oriented approach, where clearly defined national challenges are addressed through coordinated action, cross\u2011sector collaboration and mission projects that turn strategic intent into tangible outcomes aligned with national priorities.<\/p>\n Dr Byeongwon Park, STEPI<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr Byeongwon Park drew on South Korea\u2019s experience to illustrate both the strengths and limitations of mission\u2011oriented innovation policy (MOIP).<\/p>\n Korea\u2019s approach demonstrates how strong STI governance, evidence\u2011based priority setting and sustained cross\u2011ministerial coordination can accelerate innovation through large\u2011scale, mission\u2011driven programmes addressing societal challenges and strategic technologies.<\/p>\n Flagship initiatives, including national social missions and Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA)\u2011style challenge programmes, have supported risk\u2011taking, long\u2011term investment and technological leadership.<\/p>\n However, the case also highlighted emerging challenges such as fragmented missions, a technology\u2011centric bias, coordination complexity and limited portfolio management after mission approval.<\/p>\n The experience underscores that while MOIP can drive rapid innovation, achieving broader systemic and societal transformation requires stronger integration, adaptive governance and balanced attention to social, environmental and economic outcomes.<\/p>\n Mdm Aedreena Reeza Alwi, MITI<\/strong><\/p>\n
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