THE Malaysian Technology Development Corporation which champions the adoption and deployment of Industry 4.0 technologies (I4.0) among the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) convened industry experts at its recent MTDC Technology Conference & Exhibition 2019 (MTCE2019) in Kuala Lumpur.
The two-day conference held at the TM Convention Centre featured speakers and panellists from Malaysian companies which are already at the forefront in adopting Industry 4.0 technologies. The speakers and panellists were from Siemens AG (Germany), Fusionex International, GE Malaysia, SKF Malaysia, Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology and Climate Change (MESTECC).
The speakers touched on critical and topical I4.0 and related issues touching on implementation, technology trends, future of work and policies as part of a discourse to create awareness and equip Malaysia’s enterprises with knowledge crucial to pilot and pivot to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
“The MTCE2019 is a platform to discuss I4.0 on a larger dimension. We will delve into policies to encourage technology upscaling, types of manpower needed to fulfil the needs of I4.0 and most importantly how we as Malaysians will rise to the challenge of a borderless digital world,” said Dato’ Norhalim Yunus, MTDC’s Chief Executive Officer.
“MTDC has been engaging with the local SMEs with the setting up of our Centre of 9 Pillars (Co9P) and through our Technopreneur Training Academy (TENTRA). The Co9P, which is built on a community-based concept is a dedicated centre for industry 4.0. We are working with strategic partners and agencies to champion and engineer an I4.0 ecosystem, which is the theme of MTCE2019,” Norhalim added.
The conference featured topics from keynote speakers such as “Future of Manufacturing & Production: Educating the Next Generation” by Zeki Aydan, Global Head of Education, Motion Control Systems, Siemens AG, Germany. His topic touched on how manufacturing and production will face new requirements in all areas and makes innovations possible in the first place.
Dr Ong Kian Ming, Deputy Minister, Ministry of International Trade & Industry, Malaysia spoke on Policies pertaining to I4.0 and how the government will ensure that Malaysian companies to be I4.0 ready.
Anders Fogelberg from SKF Malaysia talked about “Hyperloop to the Future- The SKF Story”. SKF, a Swedish company has pioneered a number of digital solutions, offering new business models and using data to offer superior value. Anders discussed how SKF has accelerated its process towards I4.0 and is enjoying the benefits of the digital economy. In addition, SKF has also implemented projects in related to I4.0 in Malaysia.
Another prominent keynote speaker, Ambassador Dato’ Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari, Secretary General, D-8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation touched on Technology Collaboration between Developing Countries. Developing-8, is an organisation for development cooperation, whose members are Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan and Turkey.
In conjunction with MTCE2019, MTDC also organised an I4.0 Exhibition, and co-organised Robotics & Drone Bootcamp and Competition together with its partners, Politeknik Kota Kinabalu and UiTM. The participants comprised primary school students and the general public. The I4.0 exhibition showcased innovations and technologies on 3D printing, smart manufacturing, and technologies used in smart cities.
About 500 participants from various organisations, higher learning institutions and government agencies attended MTCE2019.
