ASM WELCOMES COLLABORATION IN NORTHERN REGION TO ADVANCE LOCAL E&E INDUSTRY

BATU KAWAN, May 8 (Bernama) -- The Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) is welcoming industry partners and policymakers in the northern region to collaborate in a response to the acute shortage of skilled talent and the urgent need to stimulate research and development (R&D) in the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry in Malaysia.

Its president Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen Tengku Ibrahim said the effort is crucial in moving Malaysia up the value chain by developing new technology and producing specialised talent supporting high growth in areas such as advanced integrated circuit (IC) assembly, testing and packaging and IC design.

“Under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP), the E&E industry is targeted to contribute RM120 billion to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, compared to RM86.1 billion in 2020.

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“Thus, ASM's focused effort to work with our esteemed partners in the Northern Region is aimed at making a significant contribution towards achieving this target,” he told reporters at the 2024 ASM Northern Chapter roadshow here today.

Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen noted that the roadshow was vital crucial as it was one of ASM initiatives to visit all states so that they could gain a better understanding of the opportunities to collaborate and assist industry partners in the most important areas.

Meanwhile, Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) chief executive Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan said the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Strategic Development Plan prioritised R&D, technology-centric activities and strategic partnerships with academic experts to bolster high-value sectors in the northern region. 

He pointed out that the initiative emphasises the E&E industry through implementing the NCER Technology Innovation Centre (NTIC) programme.

“Guided by the NCER Strategic Development Plan 2024-2030, NCIA is deeply committed to fostering an environment where innovation thrives, businesses flourish, and communities will ultimately benefit and prosper,” he said.

The 2024 ASM Northern Chapter roadshow in collaboration with NCIA has attracted both online and physical participants, including industry, government agencies, multinational corporations (MNCs), and startups to engage in discussions during the 10-10 Malaysian Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (MySTIE) Series and Innovation Kopitiam as well as the 39th ideaXchange focusing on smart technologies related to the E&E industry.

The one-day roadshow also showcased other ASM initiatives and programmes such as the Malaysia Open Science Platform (MOSP), 10-10 MySTIE Framework, e-estidotmy, Planetary Health, Tropical Science Foundation, Science Communications and career opportunities. 

The next ASM roadshow is scheduled be hold at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru on June 12.

According to a 2022 Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) report, the E&E sector continues to be the major contributor to Malaysia’s export earnings, accounting for RM593.5 billion worth of exports or 38.2 per cent of total exports.

-- BERNAMA