NAY PYI TAW, 16th May 2012: Malaysian delegation headed by Y.Bhg. Dato’ Dr. Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad, Deputy Secretary General (Policy & Innovation) MOSTI is currently attending the Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) at Myanmar International Convention Center (MICC), in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
This meeting was officiated by the Myanmar Minister of Science and Technology, H.E U Aye Myint this morning. All ten member states of ASEAN are attending the COST Meeting which is being held from 16 – 18 May 2012. The COST Meeting was preceded by Special Retreat which discussed recommendations on the implementation of Krabi Initiative for the future ASEAN Plan of Action (APAST) beyond 2015.
During the special retreat session, Y.Bhg. Dato’ Dr. Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad presented a paper entitled “Grassroots Innovation: A Strategy for Inclusive & Sustainable Development” which was well received by ASEAN Member States (AMS). She shared various innovation programs implemented in Malaysia, particularly at the grass roots level. Y.Bhg. Dato’ Dr. Sharifah also invited AMS to participate in the World Innovation Forum 2012 or WIF-KL 2012 which will be held in Malaysia from 5-7 November 2012.
ASEAN COST will be meeting with its dialogue partners China, Japan and South Korea to discuss on cooperation and collaboration activities tomorrow.
On a separate occasion, the delegation from MOSTI had a bilateral discussion with the officials from the Myanmar Ministry of Science and Technology on 14th May 2012. This meeting was a follow-up on Y.B. Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia (MOSTI) working visit to Myanmar from 25 – 28 April 2012. During their 40-minute discussion, Y.Bhg. Dato’ Dr. Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad and Dr. Zaw Min Aung, the Director General of the Department of Technical and Vocational Education, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), The Republic of the Union of Myanmar, exchanged views on ways to strengthen and deepen collaboration and cooperation in the areas of science and technology specifically in the field of biotechnology, ICT, nanotechnology, innovation and transfer of technology.
Both parties agreed to explore avenues for cooperation in science, technology and innovation that would enhance the bilateral relations. They also agreed to formalise cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Science and Technology cooperation which is expected to be signed during the Myanmar President’s visit to Malaysia in June 2012.
