PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
INGENIEUR
Innovation for
Growth
A
s more emerging economies gear to stay
ahead of the economic curve, innovation
holds the key to thrive in the competitive
environment. Malaysia is ranked 35th among 64
countries under the Global Innovation Index 2016
rankings. However, another indicator MVA, the
Manufacturing Value Added per capita showed a
much lower value compared with South Korea,
China and Singapore. Taking cognizance of its
impact on economic growth, the Malaysian
Government introduced a National Corporate
Innovation Index to help stimulate and propel
innovation among large Malaysian companies.
With the onslaught of the fourth Industrial
Revolution or 4IR, the global economic landscape
has advanced from mere Internet usage to a
cyber physical system or what is called a Digital
Economy. More corporate giants are embracing the
digital economy, replacing the once big corporate
giants in the traditional business model of goods or
services. The Internet of Things, Cloud Storage, Big
Data Analytics, and Robotics, among others, are
essential parts of the new business model.
Malaysia is relatively strong in the digital
ecosystem in terms of facilities and talent. The
Networked Readiness Index (NRI) 2016 issued
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by World Economic Forum places Malaysia 31st
among 139 countries. One of the important
components is the availability of local talent
to support the digital economy. The article on
“Developing Malaysia’s ICT Talent” provides an
insight into the scale and quality of the Malaysian
Global Training Center.
Healthcare facilities and equipment are
another area that constantly being developed with
new technologies and sophistication utilizing micro
machines and sensors. The article on “Innovation
in Healthcare” is a good eye opener for the new
growth area in healthcare related to innovation
and new products.
Against all the articles on high-tech innovation,
the Engineering Nostalgia Section brings us back
to the pre-war era for a view of a simple “water
wheel” utilising a river’s current to lift water to
a paddy field. Readers are welcome to send old
photos of engineering in nature to reflect on old
practices; some of which can be ingenuous and
creative.
Datuk Ir. Adanan bin Mohamed Hussain
President BEM