Empowering Communities through Grassroots Innovation in Malaysia
20 June 2024, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Our current comprehension of the concept of grassroots innovation (GRIs) remains ambiguous. On many occasions, the term ‘grassroots innovations’ is used interchangeably with other community-led and bottom-up initiatives such as social innovation, inclusive innovation, and innovation at the bottom of the pyramid (BoP).
Although these concepts and variants of innovations share some similarities, it is important to note that there are differences in terms of scale and the specific geographic and localised social contexts in which these innovations are fostered and operated. For policymakers and decision-makers at the forefront of introducing policy interventions to motivate and direct these bottom-up initiatives, an accurate and in-depth understanding of the nature of these innovations is crucial. This ensures that the policies and strategic thrusts formulated are appropriate and practically valid.
Based on the general understanding of GRIs as a bottom-up initiative seeking (incremental) innovative solutions developed and implemented by local communities themselves, this science advisory workshop, with the support of the INGSA-ASIA Grassroots Science Advice Promotion Awards 2023, was held to provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of GRIs emerging from local communities. It also aimed to create a collaborative platform for local grassroots innovators to share the nature of their motivations, local practices, issues and challenges, and future plans.
This workshop is co-organised by the Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, and Institut Masa Depan Malaysia (MASA). It is also in conjunction with the celebration of the 65th Anniversary of the establishment of the Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya.
For more information, please contact Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ng Boon Kwee (bkng@um.edu.my)
