How Was Nanotechnology Adopted In Malaysia? | INSTITUTE OF NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY (ION2)
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How was Nanotechnology Adopted in Malaysia?

Many countries have focused on improving the production of materials at the nanoscale after researchers documented the importance of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Malaysia began exploring nanotechnology in the early 2000s as part of the Eight Malaysia Plan, which was financed by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI). During the Malaysian Nanotechnology Forum, conducted by the Ibnu Sina Institute, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, in 2005, the deputy prime minister recommended the development of the National Nanotechnology Initiatives of Malaysia (NNIM). On 19 September 2006, the deputy prime minister formally established the NNIM, with the aim of using nanotechnology to promote long-term national growth in the research, technology, industry, and economy.

Next, the NanoMalaysia Programme (NMP) was launched by the National Nanotechnology Directorate (NND) as one of the projects in the development of nanotechnology. Some of the initiatives in NMP include the establishment of the NanoMalaysia Centre (NMC) in Iskandar Malaysia, as well as its unique corporate vehicle, NanoMalaysia Berhad. It aims to attract entrepreneurs to participate in the development of novel nanotechnology-based products by enabling and providing commercialization platforms, such as technology incubator facilities. NanoMalaysia has successfully established a total of 52 product development initiatives, 41 scale-up projects, and 22 joint ventures and start-up enterprises from 2016 to 2020. Furthermore, NanoVerify Sdn Bhd, a fully owned subsidiary of NanoMalaysia, certified 118 products through NANOVerify, Malaysia's first and only nano certification programme, which has received recognition and acceptance from the Taiwan Nanotechnology Industry Association.

There are a few universities in Malaysia that provide educational and research possibilities in nanotechnology. Some of the universities involved in nanotechnology are the Institute of Microengineering and Nanotechnology (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia provides multidisciplinary research in Microengineering and Nanoelectronics, Centre for Research in Nanotechnology and Catalysis (NANOCEN), Universiti Malaya conducts research in advanced materials, nanoscience and nanotechnology, catalysis, and chemicals and Universiti Putra Malaysia open up opportunities in Master of Science (MSc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research program in nanomaterials and nanotechnology. These initiatives were developed to increase the number of nanotechnologists and competent human capital.

To sum up, nanotechnology is described as the engine of Malaysia's economic growth. The NND was founded in 2010 with certain functions and long-term goals for the development of nanotechnology in Malaysia. Advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology through the implementation of NMP are expected to improve the quality of life in Malaysia.

 

References:

  1. Halimaton Hamdan (2014) NanoMalaysia Programme (2011–2020): engine of growth for innovative Malaysia, Journal of Experimental Nanoscience, 9:1, 2-8, DOI: 10.1080/17458080.2013.822109.
  2. thesundaily.my. 2021. NanoMalaysia to launch two initiatives to boost commercialisation of nanotechnology. [online] Available at: https://www.thesundaily.my/business/nanomalaysia-to-launch-two-initiatives-to-boost-commercialisation-of-nanotechnology-YL8148320 [Accessed 23 September 2021].

 

Written by:

Siti Najihah Darahim, Internship Student, Nanomaterials Synthesis and Characterization Laboratory (NSCL), ION2 &
Dr. Ismayadi Ismail, Research Officer, Nanomaterials Synthesis and Characterization Laboratory (NSCL), ION2

Date of Input: 29/07/2022 | Updated: 29/07/2022 | roslina_ar

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