MORE RESEARCHERS AND SCIENTISTS NEEDED

MELAKA (Malaysia), Oct 29 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Higher Education has targeted to have 50 researchers, scientists and engineers for every 10,000 workers by the year 2010.

Deputy Higher Education Minister Idris Haron said presently Malaysia was
estimated to have between 20 and 30 of such personnel for every 10,000
workers.

"To realise the target, the government has set aside RM500 million for the
Science and Technology Human Resource Development Programme," he told reporters
after officiating the National Conference on Design and Concurrent Engineering
2008 (Decon) organised by Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) here
Tuesday.

Decon is a platform for discussing and disemminating ideas in design and
engineering as well as to reinforce cooperation between academicians and
industry personnel.

Eighty working papers will be presented in the two-day conference beginning
Tuesday.

Idris said his ministry was confident of achieving the target.

He said among initiatives for the purpose was the "Brain Gain Programme"
whereby several initiatives and facilities were made ready to attract science
researchers and high-calibre engineers from abroad to come to Malaysia.


Idris said the government wanted to enhance human capital in research,
innovation, and commercialisation.