MOSTI targets 1,000 innovation pioneers next year - Adham

Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the ministry had channelled funds worth RM15 million for local product development to over 5,000 innovation pioneers since 2008 till now.

He said the innovation development programmes through the Mainstreaming Grassroots Innovation (MaGRIs) initiative, Malaysia Social Innovation (MySI) and High Impact Programme 6 (HIP 6) are aimed at giving a further boost to the development of entrepreneurs in product innovations through science and technology.

"YIM, a programme under MOSTI, involves social innovation by grassroots innovators from the B40 group who want to implement their innovations and the evaluation of which will be made according to current needs.

"MOSTI is committed to empowering social innovation via local innovation technology. With such a programme, it encourages local innovation pioneers to create technology and not just become users of imported technology.

"Local innovation can help elevate the economy of the B40 group and increase the community's quality of life as well as saving time and energy," he told reporters while on a working visit to Bandar Tenggara public market, here, today.

In another development, Adham announced that YIM will open two more design space facilities in Bandar Tenggara, Kota Tinggi, in Johor at the end of the month and in Bera, Pahang at the end of the year. Such facilities have been operational in Kuala Terengganu and also in Paroi, Negeri Sembilan since April.

"Those in the rural or public sector who have innovation that can be linked to science and technology can come to the design space, and depending on its (innovation) commercial value, we will develop their products", he added.

Earlier today, Adham handed over local research and development innovation equipment for coconut and coconut milk processing to coconut milk trader, Mohd Alif Sa'don, 34, here.