Penampang: Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili on Saturday said science is part of life and is something that is not hard to master, especially among children.He said, however, the effort of creating a culture of science and innovation among Malaysians is a long-term agenda and requires the commitment and support of all parties.
"The Ministry (Mosti) plays an important role to share information on the aspiration and goals of government policies through awareness programmes and human capital development.
"Mosti has been given the mandate to be the leader towards making science and innovation a culture among Malaysians," he said during the opening of Mosti's Nationwide Science and Innovation Carnival Second Series.
Ongkili, meanwhile, said Mosti has set this year's theme as the National Science and Innovation Movement as an extension to its two other programmes in 2010 and 2011.
He said under this year's programme, the Ministry has created smart partnerships with various ministries and the state governments.
"The programme is focused on all levels of society including the young, and a total of 387 science innovation programmes have been introduced," said Ongkili, adding there were about 40 programmes during the two-day event held at the Hongkod Koisaan.
In relation to this, he said, one central programme under the National Science Innovation 2012 is the Science and Innovation Carnival, a nationwide roadshow organised specifically to build awareness and stress the importance of science and innovation.
The event, which was officiated at by the Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin attracted around 8,000 visitors from all walks of life who thronged the carnival to participate in the activities organised by the agencies.
Students and youths were treated to modern interactive activities and a showcase on science and technology in a bid to inspire them to embrace science and innovation.
On another note, Ongkili said one of the components in the carnival is the Innovation Walk whereby the programme aims to collect and document local innovations.
"The group will literally walk into the villages but before the Innovation Walk was flagged off there is already an advance party who went to document all the things that is considered a work of innovation.
"It will look into all aspects of their lives from art pattern or motif, farming or fishing tools, which we will help them patent their designs and help to market their creation," he said.
He said this year the Innovation Walk would look into creations in Kota Marudu, Pitas and Kudat.
Ongkili said previously during the Keningau project the Innovation Walk tracked 12 innovation products for which the Ministry awarded them RM100,000 to further improve their innovations.
One example, he said, is the Bamboo Saxophone creation of Philipus Jani who was identified by the Malaysia Innovation Foundation and was fast tracked for commercial purposes.
Among those present at the event were Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Datuk Fadilah Yusof and Putatan Member of Parliament, Datuk Marcus Mojigoh.
