THE Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (Penang branch) will continue to contribute to the state in whatever way it can, says its chairman Bernard Lim Kee Weng.
Lim said the IEM Penang branch, which consists of consultants, professionals and industry personnel, has been working with the Penang Island City Council, Penang Development Corporation, InvestPenang, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bandar Warisan, Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda) Penang and Penang Tech Dome, to name a few, for the betterment of the state.
He added that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the IEM Penang Branch collected donations for schools and hospitals.
Besides organising seminars and helping to provide guidelines on certain matters, he said the IEM Penang branch is actively involved with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activities.
“We want to support the state’s STEM initiative and ensure sustainability in human capital, promoting it as much as possible,” Lim said during a courtesy call on Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the latter’s office in Komtar today.
“We have also created a job portal and had organised talks. The response has been fairly good.”
Lim led an IEM Penang branch delegation during the visit. The delegation comprised vice-chairman Chan Wah Cheong, committee members Dr Ngoo Seong Boon, Khaw Yao Shun, Juliet Choo Lay Guat, Tean Sze Nee and Ong Sheng How.
Chow thanked IEM Penang for sharing with him their objectives and activities.
“Our private sector, professional bodies, academia and community are strong. So, we, as a state, have to leverage this and get everybody to work together.
“That will be the role of the state government, galvanising all the strength so that we work towards the same goal.
“We cannot be stronger than those who are experts in their respective fields. I don’t think we have the capability and capacity to do everything that you all are doing respectively. So, that would be our role to facilitate all the initiatives driven by the respective organisations,” Chow said.
On a suggestion by Dr Ngoo, who is also the Intel Technology senior director, to give permits to students from other countries who are already studying here job opportunities after their graduation, Chow said the idea was good as it would help tackle the talent shortage in Penang.
“That is a good talent pool to tap into. Of course, besides the salary scales, there are other factors, like liveability, what they want to do outside their working hours and community involvement,” Chow said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting