MANONG, April 5 – The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) launched the Manong Creativity Space (RDC) program in Perak as an effort to strengthen Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (STIE) activities among rural communities. The RDC program developed by MOSTI through Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM) combines elements of automation and supply such as machine workshops, handicraft workshops (arts & crafts), mini studio equipment and creative thinking innovation corner that can be used for free by the public, students , academics, startup companies, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the surrounding area.
According to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, YB Tuan Chang Lih Kang, “The main purpose of the RDC program is to provide space and training facilities for the community around Manong to carry out innovation and creativity activities in line with the aspirations of Madani Malaysia to bring the people to culture STIE”. The development of this RDC is an external outreach program of MOSTI in an effort to meet the needs of the B40 group, the marginalized group that has less access to technology and the M40 group that has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It provides facilities for this group to prepare to face the era of digitization and at the same time overcome the issues and challenges faced by the community”, he said. RDC also involves YIM’s strategic partner and collaboration in providing various training and capacity building to the surrounding community where the community can gather in an informal learning atmosphere and further develop their product innovations to overcome issues and challenges in the community.
So far, MOSTI has developed 10 RDCs that used to be known as Ruang Reka Cipta. The location is in Sabak Bernam, Selangor; Sandakan, Sabah; Langkawi, Kedah; Tumpat, Kelantan; Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu; Bera, Pahang; PKD Layang-layang and Kota Tinggi, Johor; as well as the latest in Manong, Perak and Miri, Sarawak. 2 more RDCs are expected to be developed in Malacca and Kuala Lumpur in the near future. According to the Chief Executive Officer of YIM, Dr. Sharmila Mohamed Salleh, “YIM uses a quintuple helix approach where government, industry, academics, stakeholders and the environment work.
Together to ensure innovation, technology and creativity activities can be developed and continue to be sustainable”. RDC can increase the innovative mind. They can use the facilities here as a place to create and exchange views to deal with issues and challenges in their respective communities,” he commented. It can directly help local economic growth, improve the quality of life and develop the spirit of community sustainability in rural areas in line with the aspirations of Madani Malaysia.
