‘Research must lead to gains for society’
We want researchers to come up with suggestions on how we can formulate a proper way so that whatever research we want to do in Sarawak can benefit the people of Sarawak as well as the economy of the state.
KUCHING: Assistant Minister for Science Research and Biotechnology Dr Annuar Rapaee encouraged researchers in the state to commercialise their research so that it will benefit the people at large.
He said if research remains as an abstract, without commercialisation, it will not be able to benefit anyone except the researchers themselves.
“We want researchers to come up with suggestions on how we can formulate a proper way so that whatever research we want to do in Sarawak can benefit the people of Sarawak as well as the economy of the state.
“If the research is not commercialised, it will not benefit anyone, except the researchers in terms of their CV (curriculum vitae),” he said in his welcoming address at the ‘Commercialisation of Research: Benefiting Returns from Science’ seminar held at a leading hotel
Dr Annuar Rapaee, Assistant Minister for Science Research and Biotechnology
here yesterday.
Dr Annuar, who mooted the seminar, informed the over 100 seminar participants that a proposed Sarawak Research Council is in the making, and hoped that everyone will be able to work within the organisational framework.
He also told them that following a meeting last week with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who chairs the National Science Council, the government is planning a new code of conduct for researchers.
“The government is coming up with a new code called ‘Malaysian Code of Responsible Conduct in Research’. This is not legally binding, but it is a must for everyone who want to do research in this country to know this Code.
“Even though they haven’t proposed that everybody must pass the test about the Code, I suggested that each researcher must pass this Code before they can apply for or embark on any research in this country.
“This is not to restrict research but to safeguard you against any wrongdoing while doing research. It is to let the researchers know the importance of conduct as responsible researchers,” he said, citing example of the Good Medical Practices for medical practitioners, who must pass the certification in order to be involved in any clinical trial.
The one- day seminar drew participation from various research institutions, government departments and agencies as well as public and private universities in fields such as agriculture, conservation, timber, information and communications technology, clinical research, peat, biodiversity and others.