Penang: Penang has both the potential and the responsibility to emerge as a regional education hub, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. He stated that the ambition is anchored by the state’s educational institutions such as Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC), and Penang Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) ecosystem.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this foundation is further strengthened by decades of close industry-academia collaboration with global industrial giants such as Intel, AMD, Bosch, and others. Chow emphasized making Penang a testbed for cross-border skill certification, particularly in areas like green technology, robotics, and chip design, where local industries are actively growing.

He highlighted that stronger academia-industry alignment will be key to curriculum relevance and graduate employability. Chow encouraged more regional firms to co-invest in training academies, internships, and innovation labs. His remarks were made during his opening address at the Empowering Education Summit 2025: Shaping ASEAN’s Future Through Skills and Innovation.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek was also present at the event. Chow advocated for the scaling up of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered learning, digital platforms, and blockchain credentialing, inviting partnerships under Malaysia’s EduTech Accelerator Programme to pilot and co-develop these tools.

Additionally, Chow called for collaboration on student exchange programmes, dual degrees, and digital access for underserved communities. He urged that Penang could serve as a bridge for mobility within ASEAN, inviting partners to explore joint research centres in Penang focused on semiconductors, sustainability, and digital innovation, leveraging the ASEAN Innovation Fund and Penang’s research and development ecosystem.