25 January 2011

More research grants from ministry

Story and pictures by Michelle Kiob

Prof Jailani encourages researchers from different fields and institutions to work together

The new research grant schemes from the Ministry of Higher Education are a hot topic among researchers in Malaysia. Academics at Monash University Sunway campus are no exception.

Director of Institutions of Higher Education Excellence Planning Division Prof Ir Dr Mohd Jailani Mohd Nor presented an information session at a very packed plenary theatre at the Sunway campus.  

“The response from our academic staff has been overwhelming. This shows how serious they are about expanding their research,” Head of Planning and Research Management Ms Joyce Tang said.

A total of 21 academic staff were successful in their application for the Ministry of Higher Education’s Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), which amounted to RM1.1 million.

Prof Jailani commended the success rate of the FRGS application by MUSC staff, which was above the national average of 30%.

He then said that evaluation of all applications for the FRGS was done by a panel of independent experts within their cluster and that “competition was very stiff.”

“Selection also took into account the researchers’ track record, their research experience and credibility,” he said.

Prof Jailani also encouraged researchers to collaborate with other experts from other universities and institutions in Malaysia.

“The time has come for researchers to work together and apply a multidisciplinary approach in their research. This is the demand of the future,” he added.

Prof Jailani explained that other than FRGS, the ministry has also allocated RM741 million for various research programs and announced newer research grants, namely the Exploratory Research Grant Scheme, Long-term Research Grant Scheme and the Prototype Research Grant Scheme.

These external funding schemes are also open for application to MUSC researchers.