Masa Depan Malaysia INSTITUTE (Masa) awarded RM270,000 in research grants to the second cohort of applicants under the Masa Policy Development Program (MPDP 2.0).
The program is in line with Masa’s role as a pioneer in policy research focusing on high-impact studies that contribute to the nation’s socioeconomic development. MPDP 2.0 is a continuation of the MPDP Research Grants first submitted in September 2021.
This year, 27 research proposals were selected from 254 proposals from 29 universities and educational institutions nationwide. Proposals focused on issues like climate change, food security, health, and preparing for future crises, tackling topics like school dropout and affordable housing.
All research proposals had undergone an initial screening process by the MPDP secretariat, followed by evaluation by a panel of field experts, former high-ranking government officials, and academics. The selected ones received a research grant worth RM10,000 for each policy paper produced,” Masa chief executive Azril Mohd Amin said in a press release.
MPDP 2.0 grant recipients are also encouraged to publish their research reports in leading journals, either locally or abroad. He expressed his hope that all the research results from MPDP 2.0 can support Masa’s mission and vision as an independent think tank promoting the prosperity of the nation and the world community.
Masa’s founder and president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, presented the grants to the researchers at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. The MPDP program is one of Masa’s flagship programs to fulfill its role of strengthening national development,” Muhyiddin said.
Some 30 policy documents were published last year, focusing on critical issues related to the country’s economic recovery. The fellows also prepared a resolution at the National Seminar on National Recovery and Social Inclusion organized by the National Recovery Council. I chaired this council, whose goal was to help the country take recovery measures after the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.
Muhyiddin urged MPDP 2.0 researchers to consider looking at issues beyond their research proposals, especially those involving B40 people who have been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
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