OFFICIATION OF SMARTER HACKATHON PENANG
SPEECH FOR Y.A.B. TUAN LIM GUAN ENG,
CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
FOR THE OFFICIATION OF SMARTER HACKATHON PENANG
ON SATURDAY, 6 JANUARY 2018
A very good morning to all of you.
Thank you Aspen Group for inviting me to bear witness to what I think is a very significant and momentous event - the Officiation of the Smarter Hackathon Penang.
The initiative to Redefine the Art Experience in Penang using technology and innovation is especially to be lauded. As the Government, it is in our interest to see the Arts in Penang being appreciated all over the world. We will be able to bridge gaps between cultures, connect without borders and reach more people.
We also seek convergence in the public, manufacturing and services sector to enable us to partake in the 4th Industrial Revolution. The 1st Industrial Revolution happened with the invention of steam engines, the 2nd Industrial Revolution with the discovery of electricity of mass production and specialization of work, the 3rd Industrial Revolution with the invention of computers and internet. Finally the 4th Industrial Revolution revolves around the Big Data Analytics (BDA), Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Fintech, Cloud Computing and Internet of Things (IoT). A total of RM75 million has also been spent since 2008 to promote STEM education - Science Technology Engineering and Maths.
The State Government has also allocated RM10.8 million for expansion of Penang Digital Library (II), the only 24hr library in Malaysia, to be ready by end 2018. This is on top of the RM20 million spent for Penang Science Cluster, RM28 million Penang Tech Dome, the RM6 million Karpal Singh Learning Centre teaching STEM but also the RM6 million German Dual Vocational Training (GDVT) – the first German learning whilst working curriculum. We need to build human talent and public infrastructure to help Penang become an international and intelligent city.
Penang has also launched the implementation of an innovative dengue dynamic surveillance system, relying on AI and machine learning to provide real-time prediction and data analytics on exact geo-locations and timing of the next dengue outbreak. Machine learning is the branch of AI that is most relevant because computers sift through data to recognise patterns and make predictions without being explicitly programmed do so.
By initiating and organising the Smarter Hackathon Penang, Aspen Group is driving and nurturing two important industries - Arts & Start-ups. Their unique Aspen Entrepreneurship Program worth RM 60,000 will be the ideal landing pad for the winners to continue to develop their MVP under the guidance of expert mentors for a period of 4 months. And throughout the Entrepreneurship Program, they will be paid for every milestone they achieved.
Aspen have exceeded the targetted number of teams from 22 to 28. From the prize money and prizes from your esteemed sponsors – LG, Schindler, Secure Park and Telekom Malaysia. And bringing in some of the brightest minds in tech, arts and business as mentors. From as far away as UK, Singapore and Australia. Congratulations!
Once again, I salute Aspen Group for organising the Smarter Hackathon Penang that champions arts and start-ups. May this be the catalyst that transforms Penang into becoming a smart city.