Following the tabling of next year’s budget by the Prime Minister, Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak on 27 Oct, here’s some comments from the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Professor Datuk Dr. Asma Ismail:

We truly welcome and grateful for the allocations made by the Prime Minister in the 2018 Budget for R&D at public universities (UAs).

This indicates that the Ministry and the Government is determined to make Malaysia the education hub of the region in ensuring the proper infrastructure and opportunities are readied to welcome more students into higher education.

With regard to research, more allocations means that more areas can be explored and discovered, again making Malaysia the place for potential students, local and international, to come and do research in many different areas. Knowledge generation and creation can be increased, which at the same time would help the nation to progress and achieve TN50.

Research and knowledge creation too can become a source of income generation for the country. The economy can be expanded to include the industries to spur the growth of the nation, especially in the era where the country is strengthening its competitive advantage in matters related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The increased allocation would drive knowledge creation through creativity and innovation efforts, and also with more collaborations. USM for example can place more emphasis on subjects under STEM and also Arts and Humanities.

USM would also benefit with greater allocation for the MyBrain Programme, with more postgraduates having the opportunity for further studies and contribute to knowledge creation at the university.