Viva MALAYSIA!
Volume 8 Issue 8 News & Resources | August 2015
Viva MALAYSIA!
- The chosen narrative
Our life is not without ending and its own path. Human are endowed with sufficient level of intelligence in order to chart their life’s path and to make decision on what to do with life as a whole. Among the critical difference between human and animal is the ability to dream and construct life goals whilst creatively invent new ways to achieve the dreams or goals. The ability to create new things is pertinent to human and with it the ability to invent new narrative to life. We can change any narrative of any events by changing our perspectives. The importance of life’s narrative must not be sidelined in the urgency to respond to transient urges. We must plan and execute our own life’s narrative. Without it, we will only be living the dreams of others. So, what is our chosen narrative in life? Whatever it is and no matter how bad it may turn-out to be, it will always be OUR decision and this is OUR life.
2. The thinking factor
All actions should be only be taken after proper considerations. In this, the most important skill is the ability to think critically taking into considerations all the influencing factors. In reality we can clearly witness the adverse effects of not thinking before doing anything. Many disasters and ill-desired accidents, in retrospect, could have been averted if those involved had done the necessary thinking and rationalisation. But of course, everything looks logical and rational in retrospect. The challenge is to make things as logical and rational before it potential occurrence taking all observable and measurable parameters. And for this, one needs proper and methodological thought processes. The realisation of a matured thought process which leads to a balanced and justified action must be nurtured and continuously strengthened. The ability to think well and be rational in making decision are very valuable commodity to any aspiring researchers and administrators.
3. Handling the pressure
Human will take action motivated by an instinctive trait within him. The fight or flight response is a natural outcome when faced with any form of danger or risk to his wellbeing. A thinking person will consider the probability of winning@survivable. And, since we know that the pressure of making decision is directly proportional to the level of danger which exist, a thinker will not risk his life for just some potential outcome in lacklustre manner. A life or death scenario will certainly push the pressure to the max. Typically the act of decision making becomes more difficult as the situation escalate.The researchers’ ability to handle pressure will influence the mode of workingand the feasibility of potential outcome. For this, researchers must learn to live with the pressures.
4. Good Luck Malaysia!
This is the month where Malaysian celebrate the 58th year for independence. On the 31st of August 1957, Malaysia consisting of West and East Malaysia was granted independence from the British Empire. Since then, the country has progressed tremendously and alongside her neighbours are now part of ASEAN and also the global community. The responsibility to develop the nation belongs to all her citizens including academicians and researchers in the institutes of higher learning (IHLs). In academia, the main challenge is to produce novel and innovative solutions which will help the country to progress to the status of developed nations. The need for international cooperation and collaboration is much needed in order to expedite the process. The aim is to put Malaysia as one of the international global hub for novel and innovative solutions. This global outlook, i.e. conducting R&D for solving global issues, will not in anyway negate the importance of solutions for local problems. The new breed of researchers must always be global in their analyses and outlook. And, to make themselves relevant, they must ensure their international network and collaborations are utilised to the max and considered in their overall research roadmark. All in all, in order to succeed in the future, Malaysia needs to be in the forefront of Science and Technology. In this, the contribution of researchers are much wanted.
5. In a nutshell
The whole aim for this short write-up is to highlight the importance of constructing a positive and vibrant research narratives in our IHLs for the various field of knowledge. The thinkers, coming from the social and scientific backgrounds, must push-forward the need to make thinking a must in decision making and ensure that concious and rational decision-making are pervasive. The progress of the country will hedge so much on the abilities of researchers to produce the best of output. At the individual level, a researcher must ensure the relevancy of the research work to the local and global communities. Nobody is an island and so does a researcher. The importance global collaborations cannot be downplayed. Solid collaboration is important at the idea-seeding, growth, implementation, testing and validation stage. In terms of research support, much can be gained from this networking.
In Universiti Sains Malaysia(USM), the Underwater System Technology research efforts such as underwater robotics and underwater acoustics are gaining ground. More research groups with similar interest have grown at other local universities. Many activities are being planned and also been organised. This is a good move for Malaysia. The international network for ocean-related research theme is also being strengthened and widened. Though there are difficulties such as the lack of significant number of new researchers and research funding available, the mood is positive and more interesting research projects and products awaits.
The motto for USM’s underwater research group is “Go Deeper, Reach Further”. In this we believe that the ability for handle deep water system immersion and ingression, will ensure bountiful resources which exist in the deeper oceans to be available for long-term economical sustainability. The deep water exploration is the aim of many research groups around the world. In this, we can surely capitalise on the reality of global cooperation and collaborations.
Dive Deeper!
Written by :
Prof. Dr. Mohd Rizal Arshad
School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.