KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 - Malaysia's astronaut candidates can train at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States (US) to familiarise themselves with the American compartment at the International Space Station (ISS).
Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis said NASA had granted permission for Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Kapt Dr Faiz Khaleed (the two candidates) to undergo the training from July 23 to 27.
"The permission is very important as our astronaut will shift from the Russian module to the NASA compartment at the ISS," he told reporters after attending a design recognition ceremony for local products here Tuesday.
Before going to the US, both men will fly back to Malaysia on June 18, he said.
One of the candidates will make the space journey scheduled for October and in the process make history by becoming Malaysia's first astronaut.
Meanwhile, Jamaluddin said Malaysia would step up research and development (R&D) efforts to improve on its commercial products to further enhance the economy.
He said the time had come for Malaysia to use "knowledge" as its new economic resource.
"Malaysia cannot be complacent anymore as China and Vietnam are now offering cheaper labour for foreign investors. The world has now shifted to China, India and even Vietnam," he said.
A total of 15 products of Malaysian design such as furniture and packaging items were awarded with the "Malaysia Good Design Mark 2006" as recognition by the Malaysia Design Council.
Jamaluddin added that the ministry was ready to allocate RM500 million for R&D, mainly to universities, and that the government had already engaged international consultants such as Boston Capital and Pricewater House Coopers to identify and develop strategies and markets for Malaysian design.
Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis said NASA had granted permission for Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Kapt Dr Faiz Khaleed (the two candidates) to undergo the training from July 23 to 27.
"The permission is very important as our astronaut will shift from the Russian module to the NASA compartment at the ISS," he told reporters after attending a design recognition ceremony for local products here Tuesday.
Before going to the US, both men will fly back to Malaysia on June 18, he said.
One of the candidates will make the space journey scheduled for October and in the process make history by becoming Malaysia's first astronaut.
Meanwhile, Jamaluddin said Malaysia would step up research and development (R&D) efforts to improve on its commercial products to further enhance the economy.
He said the time had come for Malaysia to use "knowledge" as its new economic resource.
"Malaysia cannot be complacent anymore as China and Vietnam are now offering cheaper labour for foreign investors. The world has now shifted to China, India and even Vietnam," he said.
A total of 15 products of Malaysian design such as furniture and packaging items were awarded with the "Malaysia Good Design Mark 2006" as recognition by the Malaysia Design Council.
Jamaluddin added that the ministry was ready to allocate RM500 million for R&D, mainly to universities, and that the government had already engaged international consultants such as Boston Capital and Pricewater House Coopers to identify and develop strategies and markets for Malaysian design.
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