JAPANESE TECHNOLOGY WEEKEND 2017
Speech by Chief Minister of Penang
At Japanese Technology Weekend 2017
on 27th August 2017, Tech Dome
This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of the Malaysia-Japan diplomatic relationship. This close friendship has brought many benefits to Malaysia and to Penang. In Penang, the involvement and generous contributions of the Japanese companies and community in the 40 decades since the Free Trade Zone started in Penang have benefited both Penangites and Japanese companies and residents here.
I am very happy that under the leadership of the Consulate-General of Japan in Penang in collaboration with Tech Dome Penang, the Japanese Technology Weekend is happening again in 2017. It is fitting for us to recognize the contributions of the Japanese companies through the Japanese Technology Weekend. Many Penangites have been given the opportunity to learn about the meticulous Japanese work culture, advanced scientific knowledge and technology as well as develop friendships with the Japanese companies they are have worked in.
I am especially pleased to see Japanese Technology Weekend in Tech Dome Penang, as this place was established for the purpose of inspiring the next generation in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics - STEM. In the 2016 Japanese Technology Weekend, we observed first-hand how Malaysian engineers have worked competently alongside their Japanese counterparts to create and innovate. These innovations by Malaysian engineers working alongside their Japanese counterparts, eventually led to new and better consumer technology products. Their story will open the eyes of the young people to the technology and employment opportunities for them in Japanese companies.
As we move forward, this partnership with the Japanese companies become important as we become increasingly more globally integrated in our business and technology environments. As the rate of technological progress accelerates, the diversity of ideas coming from across different geographical locations and cultures will allow innovations to happen faster. I am sure some of these innovations will be show cased in JTW 2017 and be an inspiration for the future generation of Malaysian engineers.
The Penang State government is pushing hard to build a strong eco-system where STEM can thrive. We have no choice but to adapt and prosper in industry 4.0. We do not have too many natural resources, we depend on what we have between our ears i.e. our brains. We live and succeed by our wits, our creativeness and our determination, as we face the new wave of Industry 4.0.
Together with a good grounding in principles of the basic sciences and engineering, our young people will need to be attuned to Big Data, Analytics, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence that makes up Industry 4.0. Technology will impact almost all aspects of human endeavors. I encourage everybody, especially young people to ensure that you keep up with what is happening in the world of STEM and ICT, because for many of you, your success and maybe even your survival, in a world that is highly dependent on technology, will depend on how well you master STEM and ICT.
On behalf of the Penang State, I like to say thank you to all the companies participating in JTW 2017. Today's event is one small step to build a support system that will help establish Penang as a Centre of Excellence for science and technology in Malaysia. Penang as a COE for science and technology is important, if we want to be part of Industry 4.0.
Congratulations to the organizers and I hope all who attend will benefit from this event and get to experience some of the delights of Japanese culture and wonders of its technology.
Thank you.