THE state government values the contributions of various agencies and industries in driving the growth of the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Addressing board members of Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science & Technology (CREST) and representatives of Penang Digital at CREST’s office in sains@usm, Bukit Jambul, today, Chow highlighted several state-led initiatives, including the Penang Silicon Design @5km+ initiative and the Integrated Circuit (IC) Design and Digital Park.
“Collaboration is the key. No one can operate on his own. When we collaborate, we are stronger together,” Chow said.
“With so many challenges in the world, collaboration is the way forward. It will take time for these initiatives to materialise.
“We appreciate the many industries stepping forward to work with the state. Given our resource constraints, we leverage the strength of the ecosystem we have,” he added.
He expressed confidence that industries in Penang would be able to navigate the challenges posed by recent global developments.
“We are mindful of how technological changes may impact our industries. We’ll monitor these developments, remain open to industry feedback, and find ways to overcome challenges together,” he said.
Chow also commended CREST for its vital role in addressing Malaysia’s E&E needs by fostering research, development, and commercialisation through market-driven collaborative R&D and talent development.
Launched in 2012, CREST officially became an agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) in July 2023.
CREST chief executive officer Jaffri Ibrahim provided an overview of the agency’s ongoing programmes, its impact on the northern region and Penang, as well as its accomplishments in talent development, SME support, and nurturing local E&E champions.
Jaffri highlighted that one of CREST’s key objectives is to train and upskill 60,000 highly skilled engineers. He also took pride in the success of its incubatees, such as Oppstar Technology Berhad and Skyechip Sdn Bhd.
This was followed by an open dialogue and Q&A session where participants explored collaboration areas between the Penang state agencies and local companies for SME development.
Chow and other attendees were later briefed by Dassault Systèmes’ Jessica Tan, director of marketing for Asia Pacific South, and Samuel Tan, partner sales manager, on DelmiaWorks and 3DEXPERIENCE.
Dassault Systemes, founded in 1981 and headquartered in France, is a global leader in providing software solutions for product design and manufacturing. The company offers a wide range of tools for industries such as aerospace, automotive, architecture, and life sciences.
“Our flagship platform, the 3DEXPERIENCE, integrates various applications for simulation, design, and collaboration, enabling businesses to innovate, optimise their processes, and accelerate time-to-market. With a strong focus on digital transformation, Dassault Systemes empowers organisations to create and deliver sustainable, cutting-edge products.
“Dassault Systèmes is committed to supporting the digital transformation of SMEs through its Industry 4.0 programme. This initiative promotes digital continuity within SMEs, reducing operational costs and enhancing productivity. In turn, this elevates supply chain standards and strengthens SMEs’ competitiveness on the global stage,” Samuel shared.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian