Challenges in Research and Innovation During the Pandemic Era: Malaysians’ Perspectives

The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged many nations economically and socially. This study attempts to analyze Malaysia researchers at the tertiary level on their perspectives towards challenges in research and innovation during the Pandemic Era throughout almost two-year of the lockdown. This article undertakes an analysis of researchers based on issues and challenges as the main sources of reference by adopting the document analysis method. Therefore, this study used a qualitative method with a protocol of observation and analysis of several sources to get data and information. The outcome of this article suggests that higher institutions have to consider all aspects in supporting the continuity of research and innovation to ensure no researchers are left behind. Researchers are majorly concerned about their research competency with none to minimal exposure to laboratory settings. All stakeholders’ well-being, including mental health, should be prioritized, should this mode of delivery continue in these times of uncertainty. This paper clarifies that the methods and point solutions to the challenges faced by the researcher and innovators are considered a new issue and are supposed to be handled by all parties to enhance the top quality of research and innovation in Malaysia.