Ingenieur Vol 68 Oct-Dec 2016 | Page 49

‟ The Malaysian Government has been most supportive in creating an innovative ecosystem as the way forward to boost economic growth. ●● ●● The Innovation Output Sub-Index provides information about outputs that are the results of innovative activities within the economy. There are two output pillars: (6) Knowledge and technology outputs and (7) Creative outputs. The Innovation Efficiency Ratio is the ratio of the Output Sub-Index score over the Input SubIndex score. It shows how much innovation output a given country is getting for its inputs. Each pillar is divided into three sub-pillars and each sub-pillar is composed of individual indicators, for a total of 82 indicators this year. It is important to note that each year the variables included in the GII computation are reviewed and updated to provide the best and most current assessment of global innovation. Other methodological issues—such as missing data, revised scaling factors, and new countries added to the sample—also impact year-on-year comparability of the rankings. Most notably, a more stringent criterion for the inclusion of countries in the GII was adopted this year, following the Joint Research Centre (JRC) recommendation in past GII audits. Economies and countries were included in the GII 2016 only if 60% of the data was available within each of the two sub-indices and if at least two of the three sub-pillars in each pillar could be computed. This more stringent criterion for inclusion in the GII ensures that country scores for the GII and for the two Input and Output Sub-Indices are not particularly sensitive to missing values. As noted by the audit, this more stringent threshold has notably improved the confidence in the country ranks for the GII and the two sub-indices, and thus the reliability of the GII rankings. Malaysia bracing for new engines of growth through Innovation The Malaysian Government has been most supportive in creating an innovative ecosystem as the way forward to boost economic growth. The global key areas of innovation may be grouped under the following six fields: a) Energy Technologies Alternative energy sources such as solar, wave, wind, storage technologies, clean technology and smart electric grids. b) ICT Internet of things, cloud computing, big data analytics, new apps, artificial intelligence and reality devices. c) Biotechnology Genetic therapy, stem cell research, micro machines. d) Manufacturing technology Robotics, smart automation, 3D printing. e) Financial Technology Fintech. f) Defence Technology Development of drones, advanced weapons. The Malaysian Government’s emphasis on innovation is well reflected in Prime Minister, Dato’ Sri Najib Razak’s keynote address in May 2016 at the GSIAC-Khazanah Distinguished Lecture Series in London. In the speech, he said that Malaysia must stick to the principle of innovation, sustainability and inclusivity as it embarks on the journey to be a developed, highincome nation by 2020. We must focus not just on innovation, but on commercialising innovation. We need to focus on being at the forefront of using and inventing new technology, so that we gain and maintain a long term competitive edge. Source: Credit of contents to Cornell University, INSEAD and WIPO. 47