THE countdown to the World Congress on Information Technology 2022 (WCIT2022) has started, and Malaysia is only 88 days away from welcoming international and local delegates to this prestigious event!
The 26th edition of the WCIT will be held in Penang from Sept 13 to 15. It promises a power-packed three-day event showcasing the future of technology across various sectors including education, health and lifestyle, food, cybersecurity, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and others.
National Tech Association of Malaysia (Pikom) is the organiser of the WCIT2022.
WCIT2022 is an event of the World Innovation, Technology and Services Alliance (Witsa).
Another main feature of WCIT2022 is the 10-day Penang Techfest, which will be taking place from Sept 8 to 18. Penang Techfest will feature headlines that include a 5G zone with autonomous vehicle testing, street eSports, HealthTech, smart cities, SpaceTech, and the multiverse.
Pikom chairman Dr Sean Seah said the association was very excited to be the organiser of the WCIT2022.
“Within a few months, we were able to secure more than 50 participating partners. More are coming on board to ensure that we present the biggest and most successful tech event in Malaysia come this September.
“This could not be possible without the support from the Penang government, state lead agencies, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp).
“The Prime Minister of Malaysia along with local and global ministers are scheduled to attend the event,” he said in his speech during the countdown ceremony at Setia SPICE Convention Centre today.
Dr Seah said Pikom is working with the state governments in Malaysia, welcoming them to participate in WCIT2022.
“WCIT2022 will include a Digital Ecosystems Excursion programme where WCIT2022 delegates are encouraged to visit all the states in Malaysia after Sept 15 as a boost to the tourism sector and to attract foreign investment into the states,” he said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said it has been a long wait for Penang to reach this point, since 2019.
“The 7th WCIT2022 steering committee meeting was held yesterday (June 16), and I am very pleased to see a lot of progress that has taken place.
“I am delighted that now we have over 50 industry and association partners and sponsors. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to every one of them,” Chow said.
He added that WCIT2022 in Penang would provide a magnificent opportunity for Malaysia to welcome influential global tech industry leaders to our beautiful country.
“Malaysia is rich in cultural diversity and modern lifestyle.
“We are ready to meet, shake hands and network with world tech leaders, innovators and forward-thinking personalities.
“This is the ultimate platform for us, particularly in Penang, to gain as much knowledge and experience from the experts to grow and upgrade ourselves.
“Penang is celebrating its 50th anniversary of the state’s industrialisation journey and the state is thrilled to learn that it will be welcoming about 4,000 delegates this September,” he said.
Chow said that in line with the Penang2030 vision of ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’, Penang looked forward to ‘Connecting and Transforming the World’.
‘Connecting and Transforming the World’ is the theme for WCIT2022.
Also present were state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, Seberang Perai City Council mayor Datuk Azhar Arshad, Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, Datuk Seri Lee Kah Choon who is the special investment adviser to the Chief Minister of Penang, InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian, and Witsa chief executive officer Datuk Dan E Khoo.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis