Saw this news on The Star today… hot off the press. According to the news, our famous “black water town” MP Dr. Wee Ka Siong had questioned the need for Public Universities in Malaysia to send in their inventions in Geneva International Exhibition on Inventions, Products and Services, as the standard of the Exhibition is questionable. And according to him, Malaysia sent the most entries. Well, it’s not a new thing to me as I already know that Malaysia sent the most entries. My University is not listed in the news anyway, although had sent and won several awards before. Here’s the news:
Universities forking out millions for dubious awards
BY ZULKIFLI ABDUL RAHMAN
KUALA LUMPUR: The credibility of a Geneva-based international science exhibition, where Malaysian universities have won numerous awards, is now under scrutiny.
The universities are said to have spent millions to take part in the exhibition which showcases new products and inventions, but an MP here doubts the worth of the awards given out.
Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN – Ayer Hitam) questioned the need for public universities to take part in foreign exhibitions that showcased the universities’ findings and new products, such as the Geneva International Exhibition on Inventions, Products and Services.
He said many Malaysian universities submitted entries for such exhibitions where they stand to win gold, silver and bronze medals for their products.
“These awards are not judged by a panel of experts but by the exhibition organisers themselves.
“Hence, it’s no surprise that each year, more than half of the participants receive awards,” he said during the motion of thanks on the Royal Address at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
“I met a professor from a renowned European university while on an overseas trip.
“He laughed and told me that such awards offer no academic merits,” said Dr Wee, adding that most of the products showcased in these exhibitions were from Malaysian universities.
He singled out the Geneva exhibition as a favourite among Malaysian universities.
“We submit the most number of entries each year. In some years, Malaysia had submitted 30% of the total number of entries.
“Last year, about 680 inventions were exhibited. Of these, 152 or 23% were Malaysian exhibits ,” he said.
Dr Wee said Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Unimas, among others, had submitted their products or inventions to the foreign exhibitions over the past few years.
“It is embarrassing that our universities are spending millions to participate in these low-standard award competitions.”
Dr Wee alleged at one foreign exhibition, the organisers imposed 650 euros (RM3,200) for participants who had yet to commercialise their products, 180 euros (RM831) for each metre of exhibition space used and 370 euros (RM1,709) to rent a display counter.
He described such exhibitions as “profit making shows.”
Malaysia’s history with the Geneva event stretches back at least 15 years. In 2005, 11 public universities sent exhibits, winning 46 gold, 41 silver and 23 bronze medals.
The international 72-member jury judges each invention on its own merits, which means that there is not just one gold, one silver and one bronze medal per category of invention.
The next exhibition is due to be held from April 18 – 22.
What do you think?
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