GEORGE TOWN – In an effort to exponentially boost Penang’s manufacturing talent pool, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Digital Penang have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with digital ecosystem enabler Beyond4 at Eastern and Oriental Hotel here today.
The two-year MoU will see the federal and state agencies banding together with Beyond4 to engage and aid local tech companies in Penang, as well as produce more start-ups to be competitive worldwide.
According to MDEC chief executive officer (CEO) Mahadhir Aziz, the goal of the MoU is to align the agencies’ separate initiatives by curating quality programmes – which will ensure that local start-ups will become globally competitive.
Beyond4 CEO S.T. Rubaneswaran said the company’s digital ecosystem comprises five integrated multi-tier accelerators such as education, skills and upskilling, career, and innovation.
“By working with the government and state agencies, it will further accelerate the growth of these accelerators – producing more talent.
“From the talent pool, Beyond4 aims to handpick and nurture entrepreneurs to form start-ups that will continue to fuel businesses within the hubs they are placed in.
“Our objective is to assist growth and scale-up businesses with an agile and disruptive mindset. To meet all our ambitious objectives, we are investing in creating digital hubs in every city possible in Malaysia.
“I am happy to announce that Beyond4 will be investing up to RM5 million in the next 36 months, with a plan to execute our ambitious project nationwide.
“We are going to create 5,000 tech-specialised Malaysians and 50 start-ups that will be contributors to Malaysia’s digital economy,” he said in his speech during the signing ceremony.
With the signing of the MoU, a Digital Economy Partnership will be rolled out – a first-of-its-kind agreement that promotes innovative approaches and collaborations in digital trade, encourages ideas and mentoring, supports funding opportunities, and addresses the challenges of digitalisation.
Meanwhile, Digital Penang CEO Tony Yeoh believes the MoU with Beyond4 would develop talent in the artificial intelligence sector, making the manufacturing ecosystem in Penang more balanced and complete.
Beyond4’s hub in Penang is located at Walta Centre of Excellence, Batu Kawan. – The Vibes, December 15, 2021
