Recently, I participated in a focused discussion group (FDG) on climate change research with a team from Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) and Polytechnic Caltex Riau (PCR). This multidisciplinary research, encompassing science, technology, and social science, aims to contribute findings that could inform policies on environmental and climate issues. I’m hopeful that it will generate insights with meaningful societal impact, just as I am with another project my team is currently pursuing.
On the sidelines of our discussions, we touched on the challenges of academic research in Malaysia and Indonesia – specifically, the gap between academia and the needs of industry and society. This misalignment not only hampers the societal impact of research but also limits the growth of Malaysia’s knowledge-based economy. This article explores the roots of this issue and suggests actionable strategies to bridge the divide.
The Current Landscape of Translational Research in Malaysia
Malaysia has launched several initiatives to encourage research that drives innovation and supports economic growth, including the Malaysia Grand Challenge (MGC) and the National Policy on Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTIN) 2021-2030, and, more recently, the GEAR-uP (Grand Challenges for Accelerated Research) initiative, which targets priority areas such as food security, energy transition, and health.
The GEAR-uP initiative, launched to foster research in critical domains, highlights the government’s commitment to enabling translational research that addresses societal needs. This programme emphasises impactful, high-priority projects that not only advance scientific knowledge but also produce tangible societal benefits. By setting targeted funding and collaboration priorities, GEAR-uP is poised to enhance Malaysia’s capacity to translate research into real-world solutions, particularly in areas vital to national and global challenges.
In 2020, the MySTIE Framework was also introduced to align research with national priorities, identifying ten socioeconomic drivers and 30 essential technology areas for growth. Universities have been urged to prioritise research that supports these goals, with an emphasis on shifting from publication-focused to commercialisation-oriented research.
Despite these policies, a significant gap remains. While Malaysian universities produce high volumes of research in fields such as engineering, health sciences, and technology, the translation of these findings into impactful products, services, or societal solutions remains limited.
The Science Outlook 2020 report by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) highlights this gap, emphasising the limited connection between research outputs and real-world societal or economic impacts. The root of this challenge often lies in a disconnect between academic research priorities and the pressing needs of industry and society.
Researchers frequently pursue projects that meet publication requirements or academic KPIs rather than practical applications, leaving valuable knowledge confined to academic circles rather than being harnessed to address national challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
Challenges Facing Translational Research in Malaysia
Misalignment of Research Priorities: Academic researchers often focus on topics that fulfill publication goals or institutional KPIs, rather than those that hold the highest potential for societal benefit. While some researchers go beyond academic publication, they often stop after obtaining intellectual property (IP). This focus on academic metrics over market-relevant and societal solutions results in research outcomes that may not address real-world demands.
Lack of Industry-Academia Collaboration: Effective translational research relies on robust partnerships between universities and industry, yet many Malaysian industries are hesitant to invest in academic research due to concerns about relevance, limited commercialisation pathways, and complexities in IP negotiations.
Funding Constraints and Rigid Models: Translational research requires substantial, sustained funding, especially as projects advance to stages such as prototyping and market testing. However, current funding structures often favour short-term projects and lack the flexibility to support the extended timelines that commercialisation efforts demand.
Based on my observations during my tenure at the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), this limited funding for commercialisation stages impedes the ability to turn promising research outcomes into viable products. For example, agencies like Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC) and Cradle Fund prioritise projects with a high market readiness level, which limits support for early-stage innovations that are not yet market-ready.
However, agencies like Malaysia Venture Capital Management Berhad (MAVCAP), Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (AIM), and Cradle Fund’s CIP Ignite do provide funding, though limited, for early-stage startups across sectors like technology, digital economy, and innovation.
Risk-Averse Institutional Culture: Commercialising research is inherently risky, with industry data indicating that most startups do not succeed within their first few years. Statistics reveal that around 90% of startups fail, with approximately 10% failing within their first year. Venture capitalists typically rely on a small number of high-performing ventures (around 5-10%) to generate profitable returns.
This high-risk, high-reward model contrasts with the risk-averse mindset often found among university leaders and boards of directors, who may prioritise stability over the uncertain path to commercialisation. Such caution can further hinder efforts to push research beyond academic settings and toward impactful, market-ready solutions.
Limited Infrastructure for Commercialisation: Most Malaysian universities lack Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) and incubators, which are essential for managing IP, facilitating business development, and navigating regulatory requirements. Without this support, researchers face significant hurdles in bringing their innovations to market.
Skills Gap in Business and Market Insight: Translational research requires not only scientific knowledge but also a grasp of market needs and commercialisation strategies. Many researchers lack the entrepreneurial skills and market insights necessary to turn their findings into practical applications.
Strategies to Overcome Translational Research Challenges
To realise a knowledge-based economy where research drives societal progress, strategic reforms are necessary. Based on my personal experience and the knowledge gained from my interactions with colleagues from countries like the US, UK, Australia, Japan, China, and South Korea, here are some actionable recommendations to better align academic research with industry and societal needs:
Reorient Research Incentives Towards Societal and Economic Impact: Government and university KPIs should emphasise research that addresses societal challenges. Moving away from publication-centric and metrics to those that reward solution-driven outcomes could encourage researchers to pursue projects with practical applications. Funding can be allocated based on a project’s potential to contribute to national priorities, such as healthcare access, sustainable agriculture, or technological advancement.
Strengthen Industry-Academia Partnerships: Collaborative frameworks between universities and industry should be established to foster sustained partnerships. Joint research centres and public-private partnerships would allow industry stakeholders to help shape research agendas, aligning with market needs. This approach can build trust and reduce investment risks, as industry partners can co-develop research tailored to their innovation goals. An example could be Malaysia’s collaborative research in palm oil production technology, where industry input has significantly driven innovation.
Introduce Flexible and Sustained Funding Models: Translational research demands financial flexibility. Government funding bodies could consider adopting staged funding models, similar to the UK’s approach, which supports a project through various stages. Increased funding for late-stage development, such as prototyping and market testing, would help projects progress from concept to market-ready solutions.
Develop Robust Commercialisation Infrastructure: Strengthening Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) in universities can bridge the gap between research and commercialisation. TTOs offer essential support in IP protection, licensing, and industry connections. By bolstering TTO capabilities through government incentives and training programs, universities can more effectively guide researchers through the commercialisation process.
Promote an Entrepreneurial Culture Among Researchers: Encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset within academia can accelerate translational research. Universities can provide advanced entrepreneurship training, covering topics like product-market fit, market analysis, business development, and commercialisation strategies. Establishing startup incubators and accelerators within academic institutions could create an environment that promotes multi-disciplinary, active industry participation, enabling researchers to transform ideas into market-ready solutions.
Align Policy and Funding with National Priorities: Government agencies play a crucial role by creating policies that support research addressing national challenges, such as sustainable development and healthcare access. Priority funding for projects aligned with the Malaysia 2030 Vision or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and close collaboration between MOHE and MOSTI, would ensure research efforts focus on areas with significant societal impact.
Conclusion: Moving from Knowledge to Impact
Malaysia has invested significantly in building a knowledge-based economy, but realising the full potential of academic research will require a stronger focus on translational outcomes. The GEAR-uP initiative, with its focus on grand challenges, is a promising step in this direction, emphasising high growth, high value projects that target critical areas like energy transition, advanced manufacturing, food security, and health.
By aligning research with industry needs, enhancing commercialisation infrastructure, and fostering an entrepreneurial culture, Malaysian universities can bridge the gap between knowledge creation and societal impact. Collaboration among policymakers, academia, and industry will be key to transforming discoveries into innovations that drive economic growth, elevate the nation’s position in the global knowledge economy, and improve lives.
Through these concerted efforts, Malaysia can ensure that knowledge serves as a catalyst for societal advancement and sustainable growth, moving beyond publications to create tangible, life-enhancing solutions. I personally believe we can!
Note: Dr Azizi is a professor in accounting information systems at the Malaysian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship and Business (MGSEB), Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. He can be contacted at [email protected]
