Malaysia has a significant opportunity to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) by 2030 and drive global progress in sustainable development by focusing on impactful research and leveraging the potential of its universities.
Since 2015, when Malaysia committed to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the country has made remarkable progress. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently shared that Malaysia has achieved 43% of the SDGs, far exceeding the global average of 17%.
This success reflects the joint efforts of the government, leaders from both the public and private sectors, and the support of all Malaysians. However, more work is needed. Globally, progress is behind schedule, with only 17% of the goals met after 10 years. Completing the remaining work in the next five years will be a considerable challenge.
Extending the timeline is one thing, but failing to meet the SDGs would have disastrous consequences for economies, societies and the environment.
In Malaysia, scientific research outputs and global university rankings have improved, but the commercialisation of research remains a challenge.
Only 5-10% of funded research leads to commercialisation, compared to 30% in countries like China and South Korea, and 60% in the United States and Japan. This indicates the limited global impact of Malaysia’s research efforts.
Today’s challenges – such as pandemics, conflicts and climate change – demand innovative solutions, including advancements in healthcare technologies, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, making impactful research more urgent than ever.
Since 80% of research is conducted by higher education institutions (HEIs), these institutions must play a key role in translating research into benefits for economies, societies and the environment.
If HEIs, as centres of innovation and change, don’t lead in producing impactful research, who will?
HEIs can significantly contribute to SDG 9, which focuses on industry, infrastructure and innovation.
Globally, research on SDG 9 is growing faster than in other fields, driven by countries like China, the US and the UK. In Malaysia and Indonesia, SDG 9-related research constitutes the largest share of their efforts. To enhance impact, our HEIs can:
> Develop technological solutions to improve manufacturing efficiency;
> Collaborate with industries to address key challenges;
> Equip students with innovation and tech-driven problem-solving skills;
> Build smart, sustainable campuses as tech showcases; and
> Educate the public and assist policymakers on tech regulations
As a leader in SDG progress, Malaysia can share its knowledge and experiences globally.
With institutions like Universiti Malaya, ranked third in South-East Asia, Malaysia is well-positioned to drive advancements in SDG 9. By investing in impactful research, preparing future leaders to drive change, and fostering cross-sector collaboration, Malaysia can address the unprecedented challenges facing humanity in the 21st century.
PROF DR DAVID C.L. NGO
Visiting chair in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
Malaysia University of Science and Technology
