By Yasmin Ramlan
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — Prioritise speed in innovation — this was the message by state executive councillor for innovation Dr Fahmi Ngah to players in the life sciences sector, as he stressed on the importance of rapid innovation when it comes to research and development.
He said the key differentiator in life sciences for Selangor is not funding or talent, but rather the pace of innovation itself.
Speaking at the launch of the Selangor Lab Partnership Programme and Growth Development of Selangor’s Life Sciences Industry, Fahmi emphasised the need for a focused approach from experts to tackle critical issues in Selangor’s life sciences sector, including identifying specific problem areas to improve local and international collaboration.
[caption id="attachment_376182" align="alignleft" width="440"]
State executive councillor for Islamic affairs and innovation Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah speaks at the launch of the Selangor Lab Partnership Programme and Growth Development of Selangor’s Life Sciences Industry, as part of the second series of the Selangor International Business Summit 2024 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, on October 16, 2024. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
He said this targeted strategy is crucial for attracting funding from the Federal government.
“Let us identify one particular problem area where we can all pool together our expertise, both local and international. More importantly, this would help facilitate funding as well.
“If we can develop a targeted programme to build core capabilities within the life sciences sector in Selangor, we can lobby for funding from the Federal government,” Fahmi said during the second series of the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2024 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.
The Selangor Lab Partnership Programme is an initiative to foster innovation and collaboration within the life sciences sector. It is not merely a response to current challenges, but also serves as a proactive step towards building a future where academic institutions, industry leaders, and government entities come together to drive groundbreaking advancements.
It stands as a pivotal initiative designed to serve as a bridge, connecting academic institutions — including universities, institutions of higher learning, and research institutes — with industry players within the thriving life sciences sector.
The councillor added that Selangor is well-positioned to lead in this field, supported by prestigious academic institutions in the state, including Universiti Selangor, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Sunway University, Taylor’s University, the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Xiamen University Malaysia, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Fahmi also referenced examples from countries like the United States and China in developing their space programmes, highlighting that such initiatives often start with government-driven requirements.
He said the government should also not hesitate to invest in similar efforts to drive innovation and progress.
“But I believe this is where the life sciences industry needs guidance and expert opinions on which specific areas we should concentrate our efforts on.
“It is frustrating to see many universities as strategic partners, yet when we examine the ecosystem closely, we find specialised local experts scattered across individual universities,” Fahmi said.
