Proud moment: Syed Hamid (fifth from left) unveiling Science Diplomacy in the Global South. Looking on are (from left) MIGHT president and CEO Rushdi Abdul Rahim, Mustapa, Prof Zakri, Science, Technology and Innovation deputy minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal, UCSI vice-chancellor and president Emerita Prof Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir, MIGHT joint chairman Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali and Prof Mohamad.
SETTING up a dedicated centre in the country will be a significant step towards establishing Malaysia as a regional hub for science diplomacy in Asean, says UCSI University International Institute of Science Diplomacy and Sustainability (IISDS) director Distinguished Prof Tan Sri Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid.
Under a recent memorandum of understanding (MoU), UCSI and the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) have committed to a five-year partnership that involves co-hosting the Asean Centre for Science Diplomacy.
The idea for the centre was mooted to the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and is currently under deliberation, according to a press release from UCSI.
“With this, we aim to extend our services to Asean member states and, eventually, to citizens from other developing countries,” said Prof Zakri.
As part of the MoU inked on Feb 13 in Cyberjaya, UCSI and MIGHT will also work together on a joint master’s programme in foresight, the first of its kind in the Global South.
Anchored in core principles, methods and frameworks that are used to map and shape the future, the postgraduate programme will address economic, societal and environmental challenges.
During the event, Prof Zakri also launched a book he co-authored with IISDS deputy director Prof Dr Mohamad Osman.
Titled Science Diplomacy in the Global South, the book explores the vital role of science diplomacy in addressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
A high-level dialogue on “Advising Government about Science” was also held during the event.
Among the panellists were Malaysia’s United Nations resident coordinator Her Excellency Karima El Korri, the High Commissioner of the Maldives to Malaysia Her Excellency Dr Mariyam Shabeena Ahmed, former foreign affairs minister Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, and former investment, trade and industry minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
This dialogue examined the crucial interface between scientific reasoning and evidence-based policymaking.
