Speaking at an Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) event, Adham noted that “innovation-driven” countries have more than 40% of their researchers employed in the industrial sector.

In Malaysia, however, only 15.8% of researchers are employed by industries while 79.2% are based in institutions of higher learning.

“To address this gap, the ministry is studying appropriate mechanisms to increase the percentage of researchers in the industrial sector,” he said.

“One of the initiatives being undertaken by the ministry is the Researcher Industry Scientific Exchange, which enables the placement of researchers in the industrial sector in order to boost productivity.”

Adham was speaking at a ceremony to announce recipients of the Top Research Scientists Malaysia award, which is handed out annually by ASM to scientists in honour of their significant contributions in their respective fields.

Twenty-two scientists won the award this year, and among their fields of research were data analytics, artificial intelligence, green technology and nanotechnology.

Adham said that while Malaysia’s gross expenditure on development and research is relatively low compared with its gross domestic product, the ministry has allocated at least 50% of its development and research funds for pre-commercialisation research activities.