KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 — A total of 3,110 students across the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) have benefited from the Asia Center of Excellence for Smart Technologies (ACES) I4.0 Web App Pilot Programme, carried out in July to create awareness about the growth of Industry 4.0 (I4.0).
The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) said in a statement that under the empower ECER Academic Programme, 720 students from Terengganu, Kelantan (1,084), Pahang (1,238) and Mersing, Johor (68). were facilitated by ACES throughout the pilot programme as they were introduced to I4.0 applications and career prospects in various fields.
The pilot programme also promoted self-learning among students, where they could run through the app themselves and also attend online classes whenever they had any queries.
“By reaching out directly and exposing the students to I4.0 key concepts and technologies, ECERDC hopes the programme will equip the younger generation with the necessary skill sets so they can benefit from the opportunities and jobs of the future.
“Building this talent pipeline will support the council in transforming ECER into a productivity-driven economy, which will attract high-value investment and I4.0 adoption,” ACES chief executive officer Datuk Ragu Sampasivam said.
The web application, developed by ACES, aims to provide a talent pipeline to meet future manpower needs of high-tech industries in the ECER.
ACES is a joint initiative of ECERDC and TUM International GmbH, a world leader in developing and operating scientific and industrial sites as well as technology transfer centres.
ECERDC envisions that ACES will catalyse I4.0 adoption in the region by creating skilled talent, quality jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, in line with the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint.
“ACES will be the catalyst for I4.0 development in the ECER, through strategic ‘industry-academia-government’ initiatives and partnerships. This will support ECER’s leap into the I4.0 economy,” Ragu added.
Meanwhile, all four Menteris Besar of the ECER states, who had spent time with the students exploring the web application during the pilot programme, have chosen to endorsed the programme.
Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob commended the programme as it provided comprehensive modules enabling participants to acquire I4.0 knowledge and skills, which are critical for future progress.
Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the programme should be continued as I4.0 knowledge would provide Terengganu youth with resilience and a competitive edge, enabling them to become strategic partners in the state’s development.
For Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, the programme would prepare youths in Pahang to get ahead of the I4.0 curve and rise up to face future challenges, while Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad said the programme has immense potential and he hoped that it would receive support from all parties as I4.0 knowledge would drive digitalisation not only in Johor, but across the country.
According to ECERDC, ACES is planning to roll out the programme nationwide, with the cooperation of the Education Ministry and is also in talks with the Johor state government to roll out phase two of the programme for students in the state.
Meanwhile, programme participant Tuan Nurul Eman Tuan Mansor said I4.0 was the way of the future and all aspects of life would be linked to it in some way or other. Therefore, knowledge about I4.0 was very important, especially in securing jobs in the future, she said.
ECERDC is a statutory body established to spearhead the execution and implementation of the ECER Master Plan 2.0, and it plays a leading role in setting the direction, policies and strategies for the socio-economic development of the ECER.
The ECER covers the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and the Mersing district in Johor and is now rapidly growing as a dynamic and competitive destination for investment.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency