By V. Sivaji
Penang State Exco for Trade, Industry and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Abdul Halim Hussain officiated the “Industry 4.0 Technology Adoption in Malaysian Manufacturing : Strategies for Enhancing Competitiveness” report at the St Giles Hotel.
The report was supported by the Penang State Government and the Asia School of Business.
Some 200 policy makers, researchers, academia and the private sector attend the gathering.
In his address Abdul Halim stressed that Penang will focus on other sectors like medical, agro, defence, aerospace and medical industries to diversify the economy.
“Our aim is not only to become a national leader but also a regional and global giant,” said Abdul Halim.
The report suggested that in the short term, efforts for continuous talent training and upskilling should be enhanced, including strengthening the technical and vocational education system.
In the mid-term, the state should develop incentives that match the entrepreneurial discovery of new activities. For the long-term, Malaysia needs a new industrial policy to chart a way out of premature deindustrialization.
Guests were also briefed by Dr Tim Sturgeon from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) over a video link to touch on the “Work of the Future ” and Global Research Network research where this report is a part of the broader collaboration with researchers and universities in Turkey and Brazil.
Also present was Dr Renato Lima de Oliveira who is one of the authors and the assistant professor and faculty director of the Centre of Technology, Strategy and Sustainability of the Asia School of Business.
Participants also took part in a discussion panel entitled “Policy for Talent and Skills Upgrading In Penang”.