"We need to explore more ways of catalyzing innovation" - Ewon Ebin

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin said today that people need to explore more ways of thinking and catalyzing innovations for the betterment of humanity.

During his opening speech at the World Innovation Forum-Kuala Lumpur 2013 (WIF-KL 2013), he said innovation is about changing realities for people, and must be considered in real contexts.

“We must consider what concrete, practical steps one can take to enhance flexibility, redundancy and resourcefulness in our own organisations or the one we work with.

“Then push ourselves and those around us to share with and learn from one another,” said Dr Ewon.

Dr Ewon told delegates that innovation is not a job for a single mind, and that everyone needs to work to create an environment where collaboration is interwoven in the culture.

He further said that everyone has a role to play in fostering innovation – the government can enact smarter policies, businesses can open new markets and distribution channels, and investors can infuse greater capital into products that deliver social as well as financial returns.

Dr Ewon also said that the country has now embraced innovation as the key development recipe as it forges ahead to escape the middle income trap and join the ranks of developed nations by the year 2020.

He said innovation was getting serious attention from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak himself, and encouraged by his personal interest on dismantling the roadblocks to innovation.

Dr Ewon said that the world economy is now being driven by innovation but unfortunately poorer countries are having a hard time catching up.

“Even middle-income countries such as Brazil, Russia, India and China are having difficulties coping. They progressed steadily over the years but are now stuck in the middle,” he said.

However, he said there is no short-cut to successful innovation as it takes continued development of talent, sustained investment, institutional support and the right mindset.

The WIF-KL 2013 held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre gathers innovation leaders, policy makers, industry players, thinkers and innovators from around the world.

The three-day forum saw the participation of more than 1,500 delegates from 25 countries and 10,000 visitors are expected to attend the event, which aims to create a new culture of innovation.

Organised by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and the Malaysian Innovation Foundation (YIM), the forum is a platform for high-level stakeholders to share on experiences, as well as discuss and deliberate on issues and strategies for inclusive innovations.

The forum began on Tuesday, themed 'The Future We Desire' and aims to provide a truly global platform to deliberate on all aspects of innovation and plant the seeds at tangible outcomes in moving towards a desired future.

Notable key speakers include former Prime Minister of Sweden Goran Persson, global education superstar Sugata Mitra, Grand Prix Motor Racing boss Mark Gallagher, former Minister of International Trade and Industry Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, and Chief Executive Officer of Tune Hotels Group Mark Lankester.