THE USE OF EQUIPP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE NPSTI The application of EquIPP to the Malaysian National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation

5.6 THE USE OF EQUIPP IN THE CONTEXT OF THE NPSTI The application of EquIPP to the Malaysian National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation

(NPSTI) seeks to evaluate the inclusiveness of the policy process overall through an inventory of 17 Key Actions. A preliminary analysis of the NPSTI document does not indicate how the policy was formulated, nor does it make any other references to other considerations of process; for example, the policy does not specify targets or timeframes, intentions to monitor or evaluate the implementation and dissemination strategy for the policy. It is thus important to investigate the wider (NPSTI) seeks to evaluate the inclusiveness of the policy process overall through an inventory of 17 Key Actions. A preliminary analysis of the NPSTI document does not indicate how the policy was formulated, nor does it make any other references to other considerations of process; for example, the policy does not specify targets or timeframes, intentions to monitor or evaluate the implementation and dissemination strategy for the policy. It is thus important to investigate the wider

Assessment of the inclusiveness of the policy process as a result includes seeking out documentary evidence that Key Actions have been performed. Where documentary evidence does not exist or is insufficient to establish the level of engagement with a Key Action, interviews are conducted with relevant policy actors. It is noted that not all Key Actions are applicable for every evaluation or implementation exercise. This is due to the fact that certain process considerations may be premature, may not apply or may not be feasible in a particular context.

It was therefore decided to apply the EquIPP framework on the four main MOSTI research grants, as proxies of the implementation of the NPSTI. The grants in question include the two regular staple of MOSTI Research and Development funding – the Science Fund and the Technofund. The remainder two grants, namely the InnoFund and the Flagship grant are more recent and have more direct links to the context of social inclusion.

The results of individual analyses using the EquIPP framework of these Research and Development Grants are presented in the following chapters.

5.7 HARMONISING THE NPSTI WITH THE UNESCO POLICY LAB INCLUSIVE POLICY DESIGN FRAMEWORK FOR MALAYSIA In 2013, the government announced the National Policy for Science, Technology and Innovation

(NPSTI) (2013- 20), which provides strategic guidelines for STI policy and investment for Malaysia’s transition to an innovation economy by 2020. The policy addressed four ‘Hot Issues’ identified during the policy review as priority areas to be actioned to achieve the goal for 2020. The Prime Minister subsequently announced the Science for Action (S2A) for the implementation of the NSTIP, as one of

the key strategic thrusts of the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-20).

The UNESCO Inclusive Policy L ab’s “Framework for Inclusive Policy Design: Malaysia” provides the means to evaluate the framing of the NPSTI as a whole that promotes social inclusion. The very nature of MOSTI as a conglomerate of many different scientific agencies, research institutions and public outreach entities requires more flexibility and breadth in its analysis as to capture the intricate network and interplay between roles, responsibilities and agendas of the various actors within and external to MOSTI in driving the inclusive innovation forward.

Figure 2 – Composite Elements of Social Inclusion in the UNESCO Policy Lab “Framework for Inclusive Policy Design: Malaysia ”

The NPSTI is seen to have significant strengths in three of the six parameters of social inclusion in public policy (see Figure 2). Examining the NPSTI for its ‘Contextual and Multi-layered’ dimension, the broad general commitments reflect an understanding of the need to create agreement, consistency and coherence across many sectors, ministerial jurisdiction and disciplines. The nature of how initiatives are implemented which can be described as agency-based approach with top-down oversight, as demonstrated in how programmes are designed, planned, implemented and reviewed in the Inclusive Innovation 2013 programme and the HIP6 implementation that followed, signifies an understanding to balance capacity and current capabilities with purpose, while ensuring target outcomes are achieved in a working environment that is traditionally hierarchical and bureaucratic. The target outcomes of programmes in the NPSTI share the vision of creating socioeconomic transformation and inclusive growth towards a scientifically advanced economy. The highly relational structure of the NPSTI as illustrated in Figure 1 of Chapter 4, combines the virtues of distributional justice in resource allocation and reducing socioeconomic gaps whilst recognising the need to improve service delivery and access. Coherence and coordination are achieved by strong linkages to the 11 th Malaysia Plan.

When reviewing the policy for Policy Markers of the ‘Dynamic’ dimension, the target outcomes of programmes in the NPSTI share the vision of creating socioeconomic transformation and inclusive

growth towards a scientifically advanced economy. The iterative policy cycle and formulation processes of the Malaysian government speak well to Markers of Built-in Duration, Long-term Character, and Proactive and Reactive Functions. The anticipatory character is suggested in the policy growth towards a scientifically advanced economy. The iterative policy cycle and formulation processes of the Malaysian government speak well to Markers of Built-in Duration, Long-term Character, and Proactive and Reactive Functions. The anticipatory character is suggested in the policy

Clearly high-level Foresight work is informing Strategic Policy and supporting programmes. Making this more explicit in the NPSTI as a design consideration at the outset of the next policy review would significantly stren gthen the ‘Dynamic’ dimension and support the excellent Policy Foresight underway in the Ministry and indicated in Strategic Thrust 1 ‘Advancing Scientific and Social Research, Development and Commercialisation’.

The ‘Relational’ dimension is present in the highly relational structure of the NSTIP as illustrated in Figure 3, that combines the virtues of distributional justice in resource allocation and reducing socioeconomic gaps whilst recognising the need to improve service delivery and access. MOSTI

identified one programme where public take-up of technology has not been as high as they would like and is working with communities to identify and address the causes. In previous research for Malaysia 2050 MOSTI identified that Malaysians are very interested in science, technology and innovation but the level of knowledge is low. As MOSTI programmes generally support policy aims to benefit target

groups, such as the B40 households discussed elsewhere in this document, the Marker of ‘relation between the ma instream and the excluded populations’ might need to be further adapted for relevance in the Malaysian context.

The multidimensionality dimension of the NPSTI is not only reflected in the main policy, Chapter 1 in particular, but also in the extended narrative of linked policy in the HIP6 of the SME Master Plan (Figure 3). The Marker of Transversal and Overarching Objective is apparent here. This common structure of many elements coalescing in stages into core ideas that leads to the final goal is common in many of

the policy documents that relate to social inclusion. The concept of ‘Social Value Chain’ is not well- understood, although linkages are specifically discussed in the policy. Further research would assist policy officers to consider whether or not other design elements are appropriate during the next policy

review. The Marker of Public Sector Innovation is well represented in both policy, as a Key Policy Foundation, and programmes. However, there is room for improvement in the utilisation of evidence to support policy decisions and programmes. The collection, analyses and utilisation of local data is unfortunately not a common feature in the policy framework as a whole.

The Dimension of ‘Group-based and Individual Approaches; Drivers’ is not strongly represented in the policy however Strategic Thrust 2 ‘ Developing and Harnessing Talent’ identifies the need to promote female participation in STI at all levels and to develop higher order cognitive skills in students and teachers. It might well be the case that more work has been undertaken in this area, particularly in risk management, however this is not explicit in the policy.

The Participatory Dimension is briefly discussed in Strategic Thrust 5 ‘Promoting and Sensitising STI’ under the theme o f ‘ensuring inclusive development’. Policy measures in this area focus on the

promotion of STI and building the capacity to engage required for the Marker of Transformative Participation. Whilst we are aware of public consultation processes being undertaken by MOSTI, the policy itself does not strongly reflect the ideal of public participation throughout the policy cycle. Again policy officers might consider this during the next policy review as some headway might have been made in building public capacity to engage, paving the way for more effective public participation.

Figure 3: Framework for the 6 th High Impact Programme (HIP6) of the SME Master Plan 2012-2020

Concerning Inclusive Innovation