WOU collaborates to produce talents for Penang’s thriving semiconductor industry

THE Penang - based Wawasan Open University (WOU) has joined Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to collaborate with multinationals here in a bid to help produce tailor-made talent for the state's thriving semiconductor industry.

To upskill the workforce development in the country’s semiconductor and manufacturing sector, WOU signed three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with TTVision Technologies Sdn Bhd, Oppstar Technology Sdn Bhd, and Clarion (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

WOU chief executive and vice-chancellor Prof Dr Lily Chan emphasised the importance of these partnerships in meeting the growing demand for skilled professionals.

WOU is a pioneering institution for online/distance learning, having graduated over 28,000 students since its inception in 2006 through the efforts of the Gerakan party.

It offers some 100 online learning courses with a faculty of some 2,000 lecturers.

This collaboration demonstrates how the universities and industry players can work together to address workforce needs, said Chan.

“We are preparing the professionals to thrive in the high-tech sectors such as semiconductors, automation, and automotive electronics, in line with regional talent development programmes from the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), and the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp),” she said.

She also expressed her gratitude to InvestPenang for positioning Penang as a hub of talent and innovation.

InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian, who was the guest of honour, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative.

“This partnership strengthens the state’s position as a hub for advanced technology and skilled talent, contributing to the state’s growth as a destination for foreign investment.

Loo also underscored the importance of building a strong pool of engineers in the state.

“We aim to have 60,000 high-skilled engineers by 2030,” she said.

Among those present were WOU Board of Governors chairman Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who is also the state's third chief minister. - March 7, 2025.