The emergence of fuel cell technology and challenges to latecomer countries: Insights from Singapore and Malaysia

Presented at GLOBELICS 2009, 7th International Conference, 6-8 October, Dakar, Senegal.Parallel session 6. Innovation for sustainable energyThis article uses the systems of innovation approach (in this case using the technological system framework and analysis of system functions) to provide insights for understanding the challenges that latecomer countries have to face in the development of an emerging technology like fuel cells. It shows that the development of system functions in fuel cells in Singapore is higher than in Malaysia, and this is shaped by four key factors: (1) Diversity of actors and the alignment of their activities; (2) synergy between energy, environment and industrial policies; (3) openness to internationalisation; and (4) responsiveness to demonstration activities. In Singapore the stronger presence of such factors in its policy environment has had a positive influence on the development of fuel cell technology – while the absence or weaknesses of these factors might have contributed to the weaker and more unbalanced development in Malaysia. It is argued that this is because such factors were effective in addressing specific characteristics of the ‘emerging phase’ of fuel cell technology

Unpacking place-based narratives: enhancing campus community participation in watershed conservation

Purpose – The study aims to identify the evoked ‘sense of place’ that the campus community attributes to a watershed area in a Malaysian higher institution, aiming to enhance their participation in watershed conservation. Central to this objective is the incorporation of the concept of a watershed as a place, serving as the conceptual framework for analysis. Design/methodology/approach – This case study explores an urban lake at Universiti Malaya, Malaysia's oldest higher institution. It utilises diverse qualitative data, including document analysis, semi-structured interviews, vox-pop interviews, and a co-production workshop, to generate place-based narratives reflecting the meanings and values that staff and students associate with the watershed. Thematic analysis is then applied for further examination. Findings – The data patterns reveal shared sense of place responses on: 1. Campus as a historic place, 2. Student, staff, and campus identity, 3. In-place learning experiences, and 4. Interweaving of community wellbeing and watershed health. Recommendations advocate translating these narratives into campus sustainability communication through empirical findings and continuous co-production of knowledge and strategies with the campus community. Practical implications – The research findings play a critical role in influencing sustainable campus planning and community inclusion by integrating place-based frameworks into sustainable development and watershed management. The study recommends the process of identifying place-based narratives with implications for the development of sustainability communication in a campus environment. Originality/value – This paper contributes both conceptually and empirically to the sustainable management of a campus watershed area through place-based thinking. It outlines a process for enhancing campus sustainability communication strategies. Keywords Sense of place, Campus sustainability, Sustainability communication, Higher education, Watershed conservation, Malaysia Paper type Research pape

Water Warriors Living Lab: Towards an integrated “Heartware - Hardware – Software” Approach to Water Management

This paper presents the experience of the Water Warriors Living Lab, a bottom-up sustainable campus action research initiative in applying the integrated ‘Heartware - Hardware – Software’ approach for water management at the University of Malaya since the year 2013. It advances the proposition that a heartware approach is needed to enhance campus sustainability efforts, in addition to the more strategic hardware and software approaches. The paper describes how the Water Warrior’s experience in applying the heartware approach has been a strengthening factor in resolving water conservation issues at the university (specifically in lake management), and discusses important lessons learned to date. Our theoretical and empirical insights can hopefully provide renewed appreciation on how local, organic and humanistic factors can be essential ingredients for the long term ‘sustainability’ of campus sustainability efforts.Keyword: Campus sustainability, living lab, water management, heartware, bottom-u

Priorities to inform research on marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is considered to have some of the highest levels of marine plastic pollution in the world. It is therefore vitally important to increase our understanding of the impacts and risks of plastic pollution to marine ecosystems and the essential services they provide to support the development of mitigation measures in the region. An interdisciplinary, international network of experts (Australia, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam) set a research agenda for marine plastic pollution in the region, synthesizing current knowledge and highlighting areas for further research in Southeast Asia. Using an inductive method, 21 research questions emerged under five non-predefined key themes, grouping them according to which: (1) characterise marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia; (2) explore its movement and fate across the region; (3) describe the biological and chemical modifications marine plastic pollution undergoes; (4) detail its environmental, social, and economic impacts; and, finally, (5) target regional policies and possible solutions. Questions relating to these research priority areas highlight the importance of better understanding the fate of marine plastic pollution, its degradation, and the impacts and risks it can generate across communities and different ecosystem services. Knowledge of these aspects will help support actions which currently suffer from transboundary problems, lack of responsibility, and inaction to tackle the issue from its point source in the region. Being profoundly affected by marine plastic pollution, Southeast Asian countries provide an opportunity to test the effectiveness of innovative and socially inclusive changes in marine plastic governance, as well as both high and low-tech solutions, which can offer insights and actionable models to the rest of the world

The role of universities in nation catching-up strategies : fuel cell technology in Malaysia and Singapore

One particular idea in the science and technology policymaking arena is to emphasise the role of universities in latecomer countries' catching-up strategies through 'early entry' in the development of emerging technologies. The thesis explores the extent to which universities in latecomer countries could actually assume such a role. The thesis decided to tackle this challenge by Integrating the theoretical ideas of Perez and Soete (1988) with more recent ideas on systems of innovation. The thesis has used a technological system framework to analyse the role of universities. This framework is used to examine the contribution of universities to the development of a set of system functions that are essential during the introduction phase of the technology's life cycle.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Malaysia’s complex multi-level climate governance between institutionalization and non-state actor interventions

As a fast-industrialising emerging economy, Malaysia is highly dependent on fossil fuels – making it an increasingly significant contributor to global warming. Since 2009, the country has made a clear commitment to address the issue by introducing a dedicated climate change policy and multi-level governance strategy with a voluntary reduction target of up to 40 percent in terms of emissions intensity of GDP by 2020 compared to 2005 levels. Despite a promising institutional framework and governance strategy, Malaysia’s low carbon transition has been stymied by various factors. In this chapter, we reveal how Malaysia’s socio-economic and socio-political context has resulted in an uncertain environment to consistently implement the climate change policy and governance strategy as originally planned. However, the proactive response from the sub-national government, non-partisan efforts and cooperation by non-state actors such as the private sector and academia have played an important bridging and initiating role in contributing significantly during this period of political uncertainty. Through a case study of Malaysia’s experience in the implementation of green technology in the State Melaka and low-carbon cities in the State of Johor, we illustrate the dynamic role of state and non-state actors in filling the void and weaknesses in climate change governance