Abstract

In today’s knowledge-driven economy, higher learning institutions (HLIs) must be well-equipped to strategically position their institutions as the leaders amongst their competitors. As the largest knowledge-based institutions in the country, they are regarded as change agents that offer the stimulus for the change and economic regeneration of a country. In the case of Malaysia, knowledge in science, technology and innovation is deemed as the catalyst to achieve its 2020 vision. Thus by understanding the country’s strengths and weaknesses of those related areas, the government is able to identify areas that need to be developed and improved. Based on directions set, HLIs can take the necessary actions to support the objectives identified. In the case of Universiti of Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), several steps are taken by the management to help the university to position itself in the industry. As a new player, this task is not easy for UNITEN however. This paper highlights Malaysia’s overall performance in science, technology and innovation in relations to R&D and innovation. Efforts taken by UNITEN to position itself in the industry are also discussed. Primary and secondary data from reports published by a number of government authorities such as The Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation (MOSTI) as well as other agencies - local and international - is used in this study.