yekban81
01-04-2004, 08:11 PM
At the university, research are conducted primarily not for industrial needs but rather towards the advancement of knowledge and enhancement of academic activities that include teaching, publication, further research, community services etc....The industrial factor is considered secondary but nevertheless important.
Bearing in mind that many of the so-called inventions, advanced equipments, instrumentations, commercialized products etc. are the direct results of fundamental and basic research conducted in university's laboratories. These are particularly true in developed countries. Maybe in Malaysia we're still in the infancy stage since we're considered to be one of the developing countries. However, there are signs that things are beginning to change as can be seen from the government policy related to the awards of research grants. Research emphasis is more on the identified thrust areas as well as marketable products (outputs from the research projects) which is somewhat in line with the industrial demands. Already some of the research outputs have been successfully patented and some commercialized though the percentage is rather small.
Regarding post-graduates as overpriced or overqualified in the job market - that is generally very true and is understandable...In general, industry needs only 1st degree graduates - it is proven suffice. Only research institutions (like SIRIM, PORIM, RRI, MARDI) and big multi-national companies (MNCs like Texas Inst., Intel, etc. ) that involve the R&D works ever need post-graduates (other than institutions of higher learning of course).
Actually, it is up to the individual to decide his career path....To some people, they're still hungry for academic glories and achievements, they are more inclined to pursue higher qualification while others are more on the 'money making' and presumably more challenging sector outside education or research establishments. Either way, both are equally good - it all depends on us. It'll be more enjoyable if there is a factor of real interest in whatever tasks we're doing.
Interest may play an important part in the decision making but quite often we're left with no option but to take whatever that comes in our path.
Bearing in mind that many of the so-called inventions, advanced equipments, instrumentations, commercialized products etc. are the direct results of fundamental and basic research conducted in university's laboratories. These are particularly true in developed countries. Maybe in Malaysia we're still in the infancy stage since we're considered to be one of the developing countries. However, there are signs that things are beginning to change as can be seen from the government policy related to the awards of research grants. Research emphasis is more on the identified thrust areas as well as marketable products (outputs from the research projects) which is somewhat in line with the industrial demands. Already some of the research outputs have been successfully patented and some commercialized though the percentage is rather small.
Regarding post-graduates as overpriced or overqualified in the job market - that is generally very true and is understandable...In general, industry needs only 1st degree graduates - it is proven suffice. Only research institutions (like SIRIM, PORIM, RRI, MARDI) and big multi-national companies (MNCs like Texas Inst., Intel, etc. ) that involve the R&D works ever need post-graduates (other than institutions of higher learning of course).
Actually, it is up to the individual to decide his career path....To some people, they're still hungry for academic glories and achievements, they are more inclined to pursue higher qualification while others are more on the 'money making' and presumably more challenging sector outside education or research establishments. Either way, both are equally good - it all depends on us. It'll be more enjoyable if there is a factor of real interest in whatever tasks we're doing.
Interest may play an important part in the decision making but quite often we're left with no option but to take whatever that comes in our path.