Studying in Sweden, managing in Malaysia

This article first appeared in Forum, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on July 29, 2024 – August 4, 2024

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the world needs more innovation. In this rapidly changing landscape of global innovation, partnerships are essential. Sweden and Malaysia are uniquely positioned to leverage their strengths and collaborate in key areas of technological advancement. As Sweden’s Ambassador to Malaysia, I was pleased to participate in an active dialogue on innovation – bringing together stakeholders, businesses, government actors and academia for knowledge exchange and collaboration. Personally, I have also learned a lot from these exchanges in Malaysia. The recent visit to Sweden by Technology Innovation Park Malaysia (formerly MRANTI) CEO Datuk Dr Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff was an important milestone – as we look forward to a deeper innovation bond between Sweden and Malaysia. I am pleased to highlight the potential of our countries to drive innovation together, with a focus on key sectors such as digitalisation, food and agricultural technology, autonomous vehicle solutions, energy transition and health technology.

The Swedish innovation ecosystem is a model of excellence, characterised by its vibrant innovation parks and collaboration networks. These hubs create an environment for start-ups to thrive, supported by access to cutting-edge research, mentorship and funding opportunities. One example is the Kista Science City, a leading cluster for information and communications technology that brings together academia, industry and the public sector to drive innovation. Kista is also home to Ericsson, the tech giant now revolutionising digitalisation and connectivity in Malaysia with the rollout of 5G. Agencies such as Vinnova, the Swedish Government Agency for Innovation, the Swedish Incubators & Science Parks (SISP) and Ignite Sweden play a key role in supporting this ecosystem. Vinnova funds and supports research and development initiatives, SISP connects several incubators and science parks across the country and Ignite Sweden facilitates collaborations between start-ups and established companies.

Malaysia, with its growing emphasis on technology and innovation, can benefit greatly from this model. By establishing similar innovation parks and fostering a culture of collaboration, Malaysia can accelerate its own innovation trajectory. The important work that Technology Innovation Park Malaysia is doing, building and developing innovation hubs, is a step in the right direction, and partnerships with Swedish counterparts can magnify their impact.

Sweden is known for its startup culture, which has produced globally successful companies such as Spotify, Klarna and Skype. This success is no accident; it is the result of a supportive ecosystem that includes robust government policies, accessible financing and a culture that encourages risk-taking and innovation. Malaysia has a thriving startup scene with great potential. By adopting best practices from Sweden, such as simplified regulatory frameworks, increased access to financing and initiatives that promote entrepreneurship education, Malaysia can create a fertile ground for startups to flourish. Programmes such as the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre are promising initiatives that can be further strengthened through collaboration with Swedish institutions. Sweden also offers a wide range of higher education opportunities for Malaysian students.

Sweden’s advances in sustainable agriculture and food technology offer valuable insights for Malaysia. Innovations in vertical farming, precision agriculture and food sustainability can help address Malaysia’s food security challenges. Collaborative research and technology transfer projects can help drive progress in this crucial sector. For example, Linköping University offers Master’s programmes in Sustainability Engineering and Management and Industrial Ecology, which are crucial for advancing sustainable agricultural practices and energy transitions. The university is known for its interdisciplinary approach and close collaboration with industry leaders such as Ericsson and Siemens, offering students practical insights and job opportunities after graduation.

At KTH Royal Institute of Technology, students can enroll in the Master’s program in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management. This program not only equips students with the skills needed to launch and manage start-ups, but also fosters a culture of innovation that can be transformative for industries such as automated vehicle solutions and health technology.

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences offers specialized programs in food and agricultural technology, with an emphasis on sustainable agriculture, food security and innovative agricultural techniques. These programs are essential for students who want to contribute to the advancement of Malaysia’s agricultural sector. Sweden is at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology, with companies such as Volvo leading the way. Malaysia’s growing interest in smart mobility solutions can benefit from Swedish expertise. Joint ventures and pilot projects in autonomous public transport and smart urban planning can pave the way for advanced transportation systems in Malaysia.

Sweden’s commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency is exemplary. With the goal of becoming fossil-free by 2045, Sweden has made significant strides in wind, solar and bioenergy. Malaysia’s efforts to transition to renewable energy can be accelerated through technology transfer, collaborative research and investment in sustainable energy projects. Uppsala University’s Master’s in Energy Systems covers key areas such as renewable energy technologies, energy policy and systems analysis, providing Malaysia with invaluable knowledge as it navigates its own energy transition.

The Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of resilient healthcare systems. Swedish innovations in health technology, including telemedicine, medical devices and digital health solutions, can improve healthcare in Malaysia. Collaboration in health technology innovation can improve patient outcomes and accessibility of healthcare in both countries. Institutions such as Karolinska Institutet are at the forefront of health technology education, offering programmes such as the Master of Health Informatics and the Master of Public Health Sciences, which can further prepare Malaysian students to effectively address public health challenges.

To truly strengthen our partnership in innovation, we need to look to the future and invest in our youth. Sweden offers Malaysian students a wealth of opportunities to pursue higher education and gain valuable insights into Sweden’s innovation-driven culture. Sweden’s universities are among the best in the world, offering programs that are not only academically rigorous but also deeply integrated with industry and research. Malaysian students can choose from a wide range of programs in technology, engineering, business and more. Institutions such as KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Lund University and Uppsala University offer world-class education and research opportunities.

The “Study in Sweden” platform is an excellent resource for Malaysian students considering pursuing higher education in Sweden. It offers comprehensive information on universities, programs, application procedures, scholarships, and life in Sweden. Scholarships, such as the Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals, are available to help talented students from Malaysia realize their academic ambitions.

As we look to the future, the partnership between Sweden and Malaysia holds great promise. By leveraging our respective strengths and fostering a culture of innovation, we can address global challenges and create a better world for future generations. I invite young Malaysians to explore the opportunities Sweden offers and join us on this exciting journey of innovation and discovery.

Together, Sweden and Malaysia can build a strong, resilient and innovative partnership that not only benefits our countries, but also contributes to global progress.

Dr. Joachim Bergström is the Ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia

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