A Catalyst Boosting True Collaboration

The electrical and electronics (E&E) sector has been well established and prominent for more than 40 years.

- Rajendran Govindarajoo

Many of the world’s big tech multinationals (MNCs) are in Penang, the northern state of Malaysia. However, over the years it has lost some of its glitter as more emerging markets in Southeast Asia have risen, with many MNCs moving their activities to countries like Vietnam.

Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, who was the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, in charge of the Economic Planning Unit (now known as Ministry of Economic Affairs – MEA), used to meet captains from the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector in Penang. Although, these companies have progressed well, they needed a platform – which could act as a catalyst to develop more high-value products and focus on research and development (R&D).

A proposal was presented and submitted to the Economic Council. Upon approval, a working committee was formed to create Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST). This partially-governmental body will help bring together industry, academia and the government.

In June 2012, CREST was established. The captains of the industry sought initial funding from the Government and was allocated RM100 million for a period of 10 years. The industry assured that for every ringgit spent by the Government with CREST, there will be a seven-fold return.

Even with a minimal resource allocation, it has achieved much under the helm of CREST CEO Jaffri Ibrahim. Jaffri has overcome resistance in the early days of CREST, when collaboration between the industry and academia did not come naturally. Today, CREST has entrenched itself within the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector.