…In United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Development Report Malaysia is ranked 64th. Though we are categorized as a country with high human development index, it is most disturbing that we are ranked almost at par with with the likes of Libya and Serbia.
by | Rushdi Abdul Rahim | rushdi@might.org.my
Greetings & Salutations,
It is my pleasure to bring you the latest edition of myForesight® magazine, the first of 2014. For this particular edition we’re focusing on an initiative launched by our Prime Minister to ensure the nations sustainability beyond 2020 by leveraging on our knowledge and mastery of science. SCIENCE TO ACTION (S2A)!
This call to action for science is seen as timely. The prevailing thoughts outside of scientific community are that so much money and resources have been put into science and yet the results have been lacklustre. Furthermore the benefits on investment are perceived to be benefiting the scientific community and not far reaching enough.
This is a matter of perception, and perception is a powerful tool. Look at Malaysia’s 2014 budget and you will be pressed to find the mention of Science & Technology (S&T) importance in nation building. This neglect has been going on for quite some time and has now had its first casualties. Our education, our talents and our students!
In United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Development Report Malaysia is ranked 64th. Though we are categorized as a country with high human development index, it is most disturbing that we are ranked almost at par with the likes of Libya and Serbia. The latest results on Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Survey (TIMMS) also makes for a grim reading. Less than 50% of our 15 year old reach a baseline level for reading, mathematics and science.
