Sarawak Innovation & Creativity Carnival 2009: MACRI plays a strategic role

Dato Ghazi adorning a hat made of ‘Talun’ tree bark by the Limbang community.

The Government is committed to advocate the culture of creativity and had declared 2010 as the Year of Innovation & Creativity. In preparation of this momentous event, an Innovation & Creativity Carnival was held recently from 14 to 16 August in Kuching Sarawak. The Carnival was organized by the Sarawak State Government in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation (MOSTI) and Malaysian Innovation Foundation. MACRI was given the privilege of organizing some key activities to enliven the Sarawak Innovation & Creativity Carnival.

Under the auspices of YIM, MACRI President Dato Ghazi Sheikh Ramli was one of the key speakers. In his usual passionate way he inspired the packed auditorium with his presentation on “Innovation for Wealth Creation & Societal Wellbeing”. MACRI was also assigned to conduct a series 4 creativity and innovation workshops which was conducted by our partner Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and MACRI member Mr. Lim Nam Aik.

Another major duty assigned to us was the Stock-taking exercise of indigenous exhibits and innovations displayed at the Carnival. This idea to put on record innovations of the local communities was mooted by Dato Ghazi and was well received by MOSTI. In collaboration with UNIMAS we interviewed 30 over exhibitors from 11 Residencies in Sarawak. Interestingly a few were very innovative and found to have high commercial potential. This was highlighted in the Interim Report and MOSTI is very keen to document all the exhibits as part of a national database.

MACRI’s participation in the inaugural Innovation & Creativity Carnival is indeed a very significant milestone as it reinforces our role in complimenting the initiative of the Government in advocating creativity and innovation. Thanks to our partner, Innovation Malaysia S.B the duties assigned to MACRI was undertaken very efficiently and has earned the commendations of MOSTI officials.

Owing to the success of the Sarawak Innovation & Creativity Carnival, MOSTI has announced that a series of 6 such Carnivals will be held throughout the nation as part of the celebrations of the 2010 Year of Innovation & Creativity. As MACRI would continue to play a significant role in the upcoming Carnivals, we would have more opportunities for innovators and creative thinkers to rise to the occasion. Therefore we call upon those with ideas for the Innovation & Creativity Carnivals to put forward their thoughts. Tell us what you could do that would add a creative dash to the Carnival. Tell us about the creative talents and activities that you may know of. Tell others about the creative opportunities MACRI has to offer.

Snapshots of the Sarawak Innovation & Creativity Carnival below should give you an idea of more exciting things to come.
Official Opening CeremonyInnovation Crafts depicting the land of Hornbill
Indigenous Innovations