ABOUT STI FORESIGHT SERVICE
Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Foresight is a forward-looking approach aimed at identifying future trends, challenges and opportunities in the field of STI. It goes beyond prediction by supporting the development of scenarios and policy options that enable government, industry and society to make informed, strategic, and resilient decisions.
In this context, the Malaysian Science and Technology Information Centre (MASTIC) serves as the national STI information centre by collecting, analysing and disseminating data through national surveys, indicators and analytical systems. The resulting evidence base provides a critical foundation for foresight studies led by MOSTI and supports the formulation of national policies and strategies towards a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable economy.
Building on this foundation, MASTIC’s current foresight approach is progressively shifting from a technology-push model towards a society-first, mission-oriented and demand-driven framework. Rather than beginning with emerging technologies, foresight starts with future societal needs such as population ageing, wellbeing, inclusivity, climate resilience and quality of life subsequently derives the technologies, capabilities and policy interventions required to address issues. This ensures that STI investments are not only technologically robust but also socially relevant, strategically aligned and impactful.
This approach is consistent with international best practices adopted by leading innovative nations including Japan’s Society 5.0, South Korea’s people-centred national foresight, Singapore’s Smart Nation 2.0, the European Union’s strategic foresight for long-term resilience and the United Kingdom’s mission-oriented GO-Science programmes. These models place societal priorities at the core of science, technology and innovation policymaking and reinforce the importance of foresight as a strategic governance tool.
