Crisis management, flood mitigation research centre to be set up

PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pix) today announced the setting up of a national research centre of excellence that will focus on crisis management and flood mitigation, which has been allocated RM20 million.
Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, said the move follows a request from higher education institutions through the Long Term Research Scheme Fund (LRGS) and the Education Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS).
He urged universities nationwide to focus research on preservation of nature and sustainable development to avoid mismanagement in these areas.
Muhyiddin said universities which have this particular expertise are encouraged to create a high-impact study which focuses on natural resource management, green technology production, renewable energy, environmental-friendly architecture and hydrology.
"It is time we approach the country's development by studying ways to protect the environment to ensure a sustainable economic development," he said in his annual message, adding that another subject worth exploring is disaster management.
On Malaysia's future challenges, he said the first would be ASEAN's economic development, saying that in the next five years, the group will be the fifth economical block after the US, China, Japan and India, which will enhance trade opportunities within the country and among its ASEAN members.
Within this context, he said the higher education sector should have a strategic plan to mobilise the potential of our regional skilled workforce.
On the same note, he said the Education Ministry has undertaken proactive measures to strengthen international ties with countries such as the US, China and Australia.
He added that with the ministry's commitment, new initiatives can be explored such as education, training for teachers and mobilisation of students.