1Dana for better returns on research

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak today launched the 1Dana Portal, a platform to improve returns on research, development and commercialisation (RDC).
The portal, developed by the Public Funding Investment Committee (JKPDA), is tasked to ensure that the RDC funding is aligned to the country's priority areas and to reduce duplication of projects and programmes.
JKPDA is a committee under the Malaysia Innovation Agency (AIM), chaired by the Science, Technology and Innovation Minister.
The 1Dana portal will also ensure transparency, avoid wastage and enable centralised monitoring and evaluation of the country's investment in research, development and commercialisation.
Najib in his speech said the portal will enable the public to see information on which companies or parties were given funds by the government to do innovation in RDC.
"The government has allocated a large sum for research and development, some RM2.3billion in the period of two years," he said.
Najib said this to reporters at the official launch of 1Dana Portal at Perdana Putra here.
He said the government will scrutinise all of the fund allocated for RDC to ensure there is "success factor" to commercialise it.
AIM chief executive officer Mark Rozario said that the JKPDA has evaluated RM1.23 billion worth of RDC projects and allocated RM881 million this year.
He added that 1Dana also serves as the repository that houses information on government funding programmes, R&D facilities and innovation with commercial opportunities.
"For the first time, the public has access to a one-stop portal to see all the available RDC grant and funding offered by the government agencies and ministries,"he said.