THE Penang government is glad that PKT Logistics Group, through its education arm Peninsula College, will be adding value in knowledge and talent development by setting up The Ship Campus in Batu Kawan.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the government is aware of how vital education is for the social and economic development of the nation.
“To me, having a campus here and producing talents are something very important, as students hold the key to our nation’s future,” said Chow in his speech at the structural topping-off ceremony of the The Ship Campus in Batu Kawan.
“I have been informed that this campus will be accommodating some 5,000 students through their collaboration with University of Plymouth (UK).
“The support for the development of their (students) mental, physical and emotional growth is extremely important.
“It starts with providing them with the best resources to excel, especially in the phase of one’s tertiary education.
“This is the critical phase which will shape their direction in life,” he added.
At the ceremony, the glass panel, which was signed by the chief minister, was placed onto the roof of The Ship (building).
Chow stated that learning has entered a different dimension whereby it is no longer confined to learning within the four corners of the campus.
“Learning and development can no longer operate and continue as usual.
“The increased adoption of Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, and robotics means our students need to prepare themselves for jobs that may differ from or not even exist 10 years ago.
“Therefore, we have to prepare for the future, and prepare the students for the future.
“This will definitely be a hub that we look forward to receiving the first batch of students, witnessing the collaboration between the academic, industry and government agencies,” Chow added.
Also present was group chief executive officer and managing director of PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd, Datuk Michael Tio.
Tio, in his speech, said The Ship Campus would be one of the few education campuses located in an industrial park.
“This was a deliberate decision as we felt the need for the academia to be close to the industry in order to produce graduates equipped with the skills and capabilities required in today’s demanding market,” he said.
The construction of The Ship Campus, which began in 2017, is expected to be completed in 2020.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis