SMEs explore growth opportunities through Industry 4WRD

By Aaron Lim and Foo Ming Li

More than a hundred entrepreneurs gathered at Han Chiang University College of Communication (HCUC) Auditorium for a forum to gain insights and knowledge on national policies related to the Industry Revolution 4.0. 

The half-day event was jointly organised by HCUC and the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (SAMENTA). 

Participants at the Samenta forum held in HCUC.

HCUC Vice Chancellor Dr Beh Kok Hooi who welcomed all participants to the forum, said that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) would need to find their footing as the world progresses. 

Chief Operation Officer of Malaysia Automotive, Robotics & IOT Institute, Nizmar Mohd Nazar.

“Also, to face IR4.0, it is important for us as a university college to empower our students with higher softer skills and creative, innovative and entrepreneurial minds, thus aligning ourselves with the Malaysia Education Blueprint for Higher Education.”

“From our Master in Management programme, which is similar to what is generally known as MBA, we are able to educate students at the postgraduate level on the current global trends, at the same time easing their transition from studying to entering the workplace.’’

Dr Beh noted that industrial revolutions are momentous events from the 18th Century where it started off with commercial steam engines and mechanical looms, followed by electricity as the second revolution, with computers the third. 

Dr Beh (second from left) presenting a souvenir to Mr Clement Wong Chen Siong, Penang MITI Regional Office Director. At left is Mr Koay Chiew Guan, National President of SAMENTA.

“Today, we welcome the advent of the fourth revolution, the era of artificial intelligence, internet of things and automation which will bring about an exponential change to the way we work, think and live.”

“It has always been our aim to produce individuals who are ever ready for the 21st Century’s challenges, as well as addressing the sustainable development issue,” he said, adding that IR4.0 may indeed have the potential to “robotize” humanity.

“Nevertheless, we need to shape a future that works for all of us by putting people  first and empowering them, because everything comes down to people and values. At the end of the day, creativity is innately human and this cannot be replaced by intelligent machines.

Dr Beh thanked co-organiser, SAMENTA, for their continuous support throughout the period of planning and preparation for the forum and “we certainly look forward to more collaborations in the future.’’ 

Also not forgetting our partners, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, MITI,  as well as the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and Internet of Things Institute, MARii, and our sponsors, Affin Bank Group and Maxis, he added. 

SAMENTA National President Koay Chiew Guan in his speech, thanked the keynote speakers and HCUC for graciously collaborating with them to host this forum. 

Koay said that SAMENTA has consistently provided guidance and assistance to  SMEs over the past 30 years.

Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Penang Regional Office Director Clement Wong and Malaysia Automotive, Robotics & IOT Institute (MARii) chief operating officer Nizmar Mohd Naar both shared with participants the importance of IR 4.0, which is a global trend where all nations move towards artificial intelligence. 

One for the album (fifth from left) is Dr Beh, (fourth from left) is Mr Koay. 

video-admin | 28 Jun 2019 | Home News | News