Main aspects of the Malaysia’s international cooperation in the field of science and research

Abstract

Political and economic factors in Malaysia are aware of the need to increase the country's role in international scientific networks. National strategies and programs are working to create political conditions for the growth of the share of scientific achievements and high-tech industries. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has primary responsibility for the development and coordination of research and development (R&D) policies in Malaysia. The state encourages national and foreign businesses to invest in R&D, although the share of state-owned companies in large projects remains decisive. Corporate participation in advanced R&D areas in Malaysia is still limited, so proactive efforts will be required to develop this area. The Government of Malaysia has developed a system for supporting international cooperation in the field of R&D, signed about 200 high-level bilateral agreements, which envisage the development of research cooperation. In recent decades, Malaysia has moved from a recipient of international scientific and technical support to a group of partner countries, and in a number of aspects – donors. Given Malaysia's commitment to transforming into a high-income country, we can expect an increase in its role in the development of biotechnology, information and communication technologies (ICT), industrial and space technologies. On these positions, Russia and Malaysia have overlapping interests and could increase cooperation. Malaysia, which does not have a deep scientific and technical tradition, respects the experience of Russian scientists. It is necessary to use this potential and strengthen the Russia's position in R&D in Malaysia and the Southeast Asia as a whole.