PNB Research Institute panel holds inaugural meeting

KUALA LUMPUR: PNB Research Institute Sdn Bhd (PNBRI), a wholly-owned research arm of Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), held its inaugural Research Advisory Panel (RAP) meeting today.

PNBRI said the appointment of RAP members, comprising individuals from government bodies, universities and industries, was announced during the “Growth Diagnostics Forum” in May.

The members include Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin, Tan Sri Sulaiman Mahbob, Tan Sri Dr. Ahmad Zaidee Laidin, Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Kamal Mat Salih, Datuk Seri Dr. Rahamat Bivi Yusoff, Datuk Husni Salleh, ProfessorUlungDatukDr.Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, Professor Dr. Noor Azizi Ismail and Datuk Dr. Hamzah Kassim.

The members received their appointment letters today for a tenure of two years, PNBRI said in a statement yesterday.

PNBRI Chairman and RAP, Datuk Dr. Awang Adek Hussin said the panel would play an important role in providing critical guidance and advice on the selection of research projects, as well as programmes to promote the institute.

“In ensuring that the programmes, projects and activities undertaken are aligned with PNBRI's research objectives and goals, RAP comprises credible individuals from various backgrounds with exceptional knowledge and expertise in research areas, namely growth and income, human capital, equity and asset ownership, entrepreneurshipand demographics,” it added.

“The establishment of the RAP is an important step towards making PNBRI more effective and better known in Malaysia,” said Awang Adek.

Among the projects that have been undertaken by the research arm were Preliminary Studies on Bumiputera SocioEconomic Development, Growth Diagnostics Study for Malaysia, Network Analysis Study for PNB Group of Companies, Supply Chain Management Study, as well as publication of a book entitled ‘Malaysia at a Crossroads: Diagnosing the Constraints to High Income Status'.

The ongoing PNB Corporate Biography is expected to be launched during PNB's 40th Anniversary celebrations in March 2018, it added.