RTI International has formally opened its office in Malaysia. Its entry into the Malaysian market enables it to explore and undertake research and advisory in the field of healthcare delivery systems and development of innovation ecosystems.
The global independent research institute specialises in combining deep technical proficiency with multi-disciplinary expertise. It has almost 60 years of experience in creating, translating and transferring knowledge into practice areas such as healthcare, education, environmental engineering, energy and innovation. In Malaysia, RTI will focus solely on creating value for the government and government-linked institutions together with agencies, corporates and industry-based associations.
Currently, it has already signed two MoUs (memorandums of understandings) with two Malaysian government organisations, namely the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC). "Under the agreement with MOH, we would be using data analytics to suggest quality improvement, and the MoU with MTDC is about technology adoption, research and development, involving small and medium enterprises," stated Shafenaz Farouk, Managing Director of RTI Malaysia.
List of RTI's research practise areas and offered services.
Why Malaysia?
After much research, Malaysia was selected by RTI and viewed as an advanced emerging state which harbours a strong desire to move towards the status of a developed market. RTI believes there are abundant opportunities to capitalise on its expertise to assist in accelerating the progress in the current market which will help to transform the country.
Galen Hatfield, Senior Vice President, Innovation, Technology & Development of RTI said, “RTI’s new office in Malaysia defines the opening of the next chapter in the institute’s long history. Aligned with our leadership in delivering solutions to complex problems through our objective, evidence-based and multidisciplinary approach, we will look to collaborating and helping key stakeholders in enhancing Malaysia’s economy and society and make a lasting impact in our key focus areas.”
Expansion in Southeast Asia
Apart from Malaysia, RTI has two other operations in Southeast Asia. The Indonesian office is a branch office while the Philippine outfit functions as a project office.
For an example, in the Philippines project office, RTI works closely with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on a programme called Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Development (STRIDE). The STRIDE programme focuses on enhancing the country’s capacity for innovation-led economic growth while also advancing the higher education system through science, technology, research and innovation.
In Indonesia, USAID is also working with RTI on a programme called "Kinerja", aimed at improving the delivery of public services in the healthcare, education and business licensing sectors. Another programme that is currently being implemented by the Indonesia government together with RTI is the Knowledge Sector Initiative (KSI). The programme, jointly run with the Australian government, aims to provide improved public policies through utilisation of research, analysis and evidence, in order to enhance the lives of Indonesians.