Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong 52109 Selangor, MALAYSIA FORESTRY RESEARCH TO COPE WITH GLOBAL CHANGES – THE SOUTH EAST ASIAN SCENARIO M.A.A. RAZAK Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong 52109 Selangor, MALAYSIA

INTRODUCTION Reduction of funds for forestry research in developed countries has been ongoing Similar trend now catching up in the S.E. Asian Countries What are therefore the strategies Research Institutes should put in place to sustain forestry research? Pertinent to rope in the Private Sector to support and sustain the research activities

PAST PRACTICES OF RESEARCH INSTITUTES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Government Controlled and totally funded Research done on a ad-hoc basis and based on researchers discipline during his college years Research compartmentalized with no cross discipline research Publication in Journals and presentation at Meetings were the priority Minimal interaction between stakeholders and the scientists Private sector participation totally lacking

STATUS OF FORESTRY RESEARCH INSTITUTES IN THE S.E. ASIAN COUNTRIES Thailand and Philippines a. Both have a strong Forestry Departments and well supported by expertise from the Universities. b. Both countries have lost a large tract of their forests due to unsustainable logging in the 18th and early 19th centuries c. Currently no logging in these countries d Conservation of existing forests and watersheds e. Rural folks and funding agencies support actively in planting and protection of forests f. Private sector participation is minimal or absent

STATUS OF FORESTRY RESEARCH INSTITUTES IN THE S.E. ASIAN COUNTRIES Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar a. Countries depend heavily on log export for their economy b. Research support services from these countries are minimal c. Forestry Research neglected for many years due to war and turmoil d. Research and manpower development is now being carried out. e. Logging is carried out by foreign companies f. Linkages between logging companies and Research Institution minimal or absent. g. These countries heavily depend on donor funding to enhance forestry practices

STATUS OF FORESTRY RESEARCH INSTITUTES IN THE S.E. ASIAN COUNTRIES Indonesia a. The country is well endowed with large tracts of forests and is dependant on forest produce for its economy b. Both upstream and down stream activities are well developed and carried out by the private sector c. A number of foreign companies operate the forestry activities d. A number of these companies have their own research outfits e. Linkage between public research facilities and private sector is moderate and needs to be enhanced

STATUS OF FORESTRY RESEARCH INSTITUTES IN THE S.E. ASIAN COUNTRIES Malaysia a. Malaysia is also well endowed with large tracts of forests b. Economy of country is partly dependant on forestry c. Both upstream and down stream industries are well developed d. Private sector plays a major role in the industry e. Major efforts are being put to strongly link these private sectors with the Research Institute and the Universities f. These efforts have resulted in bridging the deficit in government funding with private sector funding

HOW SHOULD RESEARCH INSTITUTE REINVENT THEMSELVES TO BE ATTRACTIVE AND RELEVANT Building Partnership Strong partnership should be built between researcher and stakeholder. This ensures: a. successful completion of project or relevance b. effective technology transfer c. no duplication d. support of specialist of different discipline e. interest from donor and funding agencies

HOW SHOULD RESEARCH INSTITUTE REINVENT THEMSELVES TO BE ATTRACTIVE AND RELEVANT Selling Yourself Effectively There is a need to market the capabilities of the Institute. Should highlight following to clients and potential donors: a. long track record b. credibility to deliver the goods c. successes that have been achieved to date d. availability of appropriate facilities e. new directions being taken f. good networking with clients and donors g. minimal bureaucracy

HOW SHOULD RESEARCH INSTITUTE REINVENT THEMSELVES TO BE ATTRACTIVE AND RELEVANT Sourcing funds for research The Institute should be able to put together winning proposals. The proposal should be: a. relevant to the needs of clients b. should be timely c. should address issues attractive to clients and donor agencies d. should be beneficial to the nation as well

SUCCESSFUL ASSOCIATION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORESTRY R&D FRIM a Case History Over the years FRIM has been fine tuning its research strategies to obtain the best modus operandi to ensure its relevance to the industry and at the same time securing funding from these private industries to compliment the funds provided by the government to carry out forestry research

SUCCESSFUL ASSOCIATION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORESTRY R&D Approaches taken for effective participation: a. Mechanisms put in place by FRIM b. Government funds set aside for private and public sector collaboration

SUCCESSFUL ASSOCIATION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORESTRY R&D Mechanisms Put In Place By FRIM 1. Regular Dialogue with the Private Sector 2. Collaborative Research through MOU and MOA 3. Consultancy and Technical Services 4. Royalty from Licensing of Technology 5. Adoption Schemes 6. Industrial Attachment Scheme

SUCCESSFUL ASSOCIATION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORESTRY R&D Government Mechanisms for Collaboration a. Industrial Grant Scheme (IGS) b. Developmental (Pre-commercialization) Grant Scheme (DRGS) c. Demonstrator Application Scheme (DAGS) d. Incentives e. Levy Fund

CONCLUSION Gone are the days when unlimited funds were available for Research Institutes to do research Research Institutes have to reinvent themselves to suite the times. Close participation with the private sector is essential to stay relevant and useful Funding from the industry will be forth coming if the research needed by the industry is done Close collaboration and networking with the private sector is the way to obtain complimenting funds to sustain research in the Research Institutes.

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