Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council Meeting

On May 16, 2012, the New York Academy of Sciences hosted the 2nd Annual Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council (GSIAC) Meeting. GSIAC is a joint initiative between the Malaysia Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and the Academy.

As part of the Council Meeting, the Academy was pleased to host the Honorable Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato Seri Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, who serves as the Chairman of GSIAC. Academy President and CEO Ellis Rubinstein and Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato’ Dr. Zakri Abdul Hamid serve as Joint Secretaries of GSIAC.

Upon arriving at the Academy, the Honorable Prime Minister of Malaysia (right) and Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of Malaysia (left) exchange greetings with Academy President and CEO Ellis Rubinstein (center) in his office.

The entire GSIAC Council poses for a group photograph before proceeding into the Academy’s auditorium for the start of the Council Meeting.

Ellis Rubinstein, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and the Science Advisor to the Prime Minister prepare to start the GSIAC Council Meeting.

The Prime Minister of Malaysia delivers opening remarks and sets the agenda for the meeting.

Academy President and CEO Ellis Rubinstein welcomes the GSIAC Council to the Academy.

As part of the GSIAC Council Meeting, multiple Memoranda of Agreement were exchanged outlining ground-breaking new global partnerships between various organizations. One MOU details a partnership between the State University of New York (SUNY) system, represented by SUNY Chancellor and Academy Board Chair Dr. Nancy Zimpher (third from left), the Malaysian Research University Network, and the Academy. The MOU covers the scope of cooperation on Cradle to Career education initiatives and human capital development.

Another MOU outlines a partnership between University Kebangsaan Malaysia, represented by University Vice Chancellor and President Tan Sri Dr. Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin (second from left), and the Academy, represented by Academy President and CEO Ellis Rubinstein (second from right). The document exchange was witnessed by the wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datin Paduka Seri Dr. Hajah Rosmah Mansor (third from left), an advocate for Malaysian education reform. The MOU sets the groundwork for establishing a Nobel Laureate-in-Residence program in Malaysian research labs, as well as Academy-based training for Malaysian researchers.

Academy President and CEO Ellis Rubinstein speaks with the wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia after the Council Meeting.

Members of the GSIAC Council hold a post-event press conference at the Academy.