KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Innovation Index (MII) developed by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) is expected to be launched next month.
Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal said the MII would enable the government to assess each state’s innovation ecosystem profile.
“MOSTI will continue engagement sessions with state governments to explain their respective innovation ecosystem profiles, which form the foundation of the MII.”
“This initiative will in turn allow state governments and MOSTI to identify suitable interventions and assist in the implementation process for each intervention.”
He was responding to a question from S. Kesavan (PH-Sungai Siput) regarding efforts to improve the nation’s innovation ranking.
Mohammad Yusof said the MII would serve as a benchmarking mechanism to compare innovation ecosystems across states.
He added that the MII report would be published biennially to evaluate changes and progress in each state’s innovation ecosystem.
In reply to a supplementary question from Azahari Hasan (PN-Padang Rengas), Mohammad Yusof explained the metrics were assessed through two main dimensions.
“The first is the input sub-index, which evaluates innovation enablers such as human capital and research readiness through the strength of the education system as well as research and development (R&D) activities.”
“The second is the sophistication of assessment, which measures private sector participation in R&D and financing, while the output sub-index evaluates the outcomes of these investments, including knowledge and technology performance based on patent applications, publications and productivity.”
He added that the MII assessment framework was developed as a complement to the Global Innovation Index (GII).
Through its implementation, the government aims to improve Malaysia’s position in the GII, targeting to be among the world’s top 20 countries. – Bernama
