THE Kingdom’s pursuit to become a hub for information and communications technology (ICT) will be futile if the effort is not backed with sound research and development (R&D) initiatives.
A stronger push, focused on helping the business community and R&D institutions develop new ICT findings, and efforts to create a conducive environment to inculcate an R&D culture are needed. Without fundamental R&D work, the country will not move up to be at the frontier of the ICT sector.
While partnerships between businesses and R&D institutions have been initiated in recent years, more are needed. Collaborative programs such as the attachment of researchers to industries and vice versa, can promote joint research work, technology transfer and create a more conducive environment for ICT research. The results of work conducted by local researchers needs to be organized and made visible.
The culture for R&D that has commercial prospects must be inculcated into businesses and organizations so as to decrease the reliance on foreign ICT products and services. In most cases, technologies are purchased from abroad, so an intensified undertaking in ICT R&D will benefit the Kingdom in the long run.
With 25 years of expertise in his field, Dr. Zainal A. Ahmad has wide international experience in the implementation of e-government and ICT projects in Malaysia and beyond.
***
(Dr. Zainal A. Ahmad is planning and technology director of Integrated Visions, Malaysia.)
