Partners Recognition Evening
Speech by Chief Minister of Penang
Partners Recognition Evening
30 June 2017
Tech Dome Penang symbolizes the future of Penang. I am proud to see how well it has turned out after 5 years of planning and effort by previous Steering Committee working with the Penang State Government. This is a classic example of Public-Private and People Partnership involving all stakeholders working together towards building an entrepreneurial and technological enabled State.
Convinced of the need of a science discovery center to provide inspiration to the future generations, the Penang State Government gave the go ahead to make the biggest investment of RM28 million in science and technology education. The State Government and the private sector contributed RM28 million in this notable PPP public-Private-People Partnership.
If the first year of Tech Dome’s operation is anything to go by, this has been proven to be a truly worthwhile investment. Within a year of its opening, Tech Dome Penang :
-has seen more than 55,000 visitors
-had over 260 schools visiting from every State in Malaysia
-conducted about 60 team-building sessions for various companies including a group from Singapore
-attained a score of 4.9 out of 5.0 in Facebook review, making it the #1 among attractions in Penang and #1 among all science centers in Malaysia
-attracted two international science show to Penang, Dr. Balloon Science Adventure seen by 500 children with their parents and the One Man Star Wars Trilogy
-gained the recognition of the Japanese Consulate through the successful Japanese Technology Weekends organized jointly with the Consulate, showcasing technologies of Japanese companies in Penang which saw 6000 visitors.
-successfully organized the Women in Zcience (WIZ) Workshop and Conference in collaboration with PWDC that benefited 500 Penang school children and graced by the attendance of Dato Mazlan Othman, former Director of Angkasa and United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and who launched the 1st Malaysian into Space.
-put in a new Games Zone Gallery
-hosted numerous foreign dignitaries including HRH Princess Sri Maha Chakri Srindhorn of Thailand, Ambassador from US among others.
-ran a students’ exchange program in collaboration with King Mongkut Institute of Technology, the Nonthaburi Municipality of Bangkok and PYDC for 40 students.
-launched about 50 education programs for school children and ran several science camps.
Truly, Tech Dome Penang has fulfilled its key objective as a place where the community, industry and technology converge to promote scientific literacy, innovation and entrepreneurship and a place where the young are inspired by the wonders of science. Hopefully it will help to achieve our scientific credo of “Inspiring Innovation”.
Tech Dome Penang was initially planned for children below 15 years of age; it is especially gratifying for me to see its broad appeal to all ages and background. I have said it before, I feel young when I am in Tech Dome Penang.
Penang is focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to establish Penang as a center of excellence for science and technology. Together with the other STEM related agencies, Tech Dome Penang will assist in this effort and position us to be part of the digital economy and Industry 4.0. This new wave of the future will cover Big Data Analytics (BDA), Cloud Computing, E-commerce, Crowd-sourcing and Internet of Things (IOT).
I like to thank the staff of Tech Dome Penang, members of the public and also companies whose partnership with the State government enabled the vision of a science center in Penang to come to fruition.
Tonight, we like to recognize YOU, the Partners of Tech Dome, companies and people who trusted us and contributed generously in so many ways. Without your support, Tech Dome Penang would not have been possible.
We hope that through what you have heard and seen tonight, of Tech Dome Penang’s 1st year, that it is clear, the contributions of our partners have been put to very good use and have created a positive impact to a large number of people, young and old alike.
As Tech Dome Penang moves to its 2nd year, the dedicated team in Tech Dome will NEED your continual support as they strive to make Tech Dome Penang even better with exciting new exhibits and quality programs for our young people.
Whilst in Industry 4.0, data is King; human talent is everything. Let us prepare the future for the young as we prepare our young for the future.
Thank you.