'Use research to draw up policies'

'Use research to draw up policies'

Forum: Participants at the Seameo Voctech forum, which looks at the best practices in institutional research. Picture: Courtesy of Seameo Voctech
Qistina Rangga
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

WITH more than half the wealth of the world's most advanced industrial societies derived from knowledge capital, there is a renewed emphasis in Southeast Asia to develop knowledge-based societies.

However, to do so, a nation's policies and practices should be based on research and not merely on intuition.

This was said by deputy director (Professional) cum research manager at the Seameo Voctech, Dr Paryono in his welcoming remarks at the half-day forum on "Institutional Research: Sharing Best Practices".

"Much data and information around us could be analysed, interpreted and informed to policymakers and practitioners," he said. "It can only be accomplished by rigorous research activities, knowledge management and information sharing." He argued that without research and development, the people of Brunei "will be just users, not innovators or creators".

Dr Paryono learned during previous meetings with other Seameo Voctech members that in Southeast Asia, there is a lack of research activities, management and sharing. "Much of the research findings cannot be accessed by others due to limited networking and limited shared database," he said.

The forum was thus aimed to initiate and nurture institutional research among representatives from various schools and colleges and the Ministry of Education. It was also attended by 19 representatives from the 10 Seameo Voctech member countries.

Dr Paryono said that Seameo Voctech is in the process of compiling research information in online database that can be accessed by anyone.

At the forum, two local lecturers Dr Gilbert Fung Chai Wing of the Universiti Brunei Darussalam and Dr Hj Supry Hj Awg Ladi of the Institut Teknologi Brunei (ITB) shared their respective institute's best practices, particularly in the conduct of institutional research.

One of the presentations by Dr Hj Supry was about ITB's research initiatives through its research and development (R&D) activities such as the first Brunei International Conference on Engineering and Technology and CIPTA award competition.

These activities, through the establishment of R&D Unit in the Department of Civil Engineering in 2001, help promote research skills in their students. The institute also focuses on marketable activities, as noted by the forum's moderator, Punang Amaripuja. "In the case of the CIPTA award, new products, processes or technologies are created, which attract local and international companies," he said.

The Brunei Times