Unik way to boost innovation
UNIT Inovasi Khas (Unik), a special innovation unit under the Prime Minister's Department, is setting up a school of design thinking, modelled after Germany's HPI School of Design Thinking.
Unik executive vice president for special projects Carol Wong said the school, to be located in Petaling Jaya, will begin its first term in February next year.
"We are currently recruiting over 100 students to participate in our programme, which will include graduating university students, young professionals and young entrepreneurs," she said in an interview in Putrajaya recently.
The programme, which is the same one being taught in HPI School of Design Thinking, will run for 10 weeks and will be fully funded by the government.
"All the students have to do is spend two days a week in school, while the rest of the week will be spent outside working on their respective projects," she said, adding that trainers have been trained by the professionals from HPI School of Design.
After the 10-week course is completed, students can opt to seek practical experience at government organisations or even become their own entrepreneurs, said Wong.
Unik, launched two years ago, operates as a strategy planner and it complements the National Innovation Centre which plays the role of an implementing division.
HPI School of Design Thinking is a German information technology college, affiliated to the University of Potsdam and located in Potsdam-Babelsberg near Berlin.
Its head of design thinking Professor Ulrich Weiberg in the same interview said the Malaysian government's commitment to encourage innovation among the young people is commendable.
He said such government support to drive technology and innovation is not easily available in Germany where small and medium enterprises are leading the change and drive.
"In a way, sometimes having political push is necessary as the pressure of change is becoming bigger now than ever before," he said.
By pressure of change, Weiberg was referring to the power of technology, which is one of the main innovation drivers.
"The innovation that comes with technology is affecting our lives not just at home but also the workplace," said Weiberg, adding that people must be quick to adapt to it or else the country will be left behind.
He said at the core of innovation is education, not from the age of 20 but more from the kindergarten age. "Human by nature are all innovators so we must rebuild our education system to allow young minds to nurture and enhance their curious innovative spirit."
Weiberg said HPI School of Design Thinking has trained hundreds of executives including chief executive officers and middle management, and from big companies with 16,000 employees to smaller ones.
He said the programme has been a successful one and is pleased to help Malaysia achieve its objective to create innovators among its people.
Source: Business Times
date : 10 Dec 2012
Today's Pick (10/12/12/215/910)
No comments:
Post a Comment