Mary Blight

• MoU includes training and certification in engineering &amp, e-entrepreneurship
• Tech Club aims to provide 5, 000 individuals with technical skills, industry expertise

The Malaysia Digital Premier Digital Tech Institutions ( MD PDTI ) Tech Club is a member of the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation ( APU) and has received the honor of being a member of the AI Club. This medal was formalised during the formal launch of the MD PDTI Tech Club action, held on 27 June 2024 at Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur.

The event was attended by MD PDTI Tech Club leaders, officials, and staff. The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation ( MDEC ) and the MOHE signed a MoU at the same time. &nbsp,

The MoU was signed by MOHE deputy secretary-general ( Policy ), Megat Sany Megat Ahmad Supian, in the presence of MOHE secretary-general Dr Zaini Ujang and Digital Ministry secretary-general Fabian Bigar.

This MoU encompasses a range of training programmes and courses, including mentoring and coaching, specialized training and accreditation, knowledge sharing, exploring new technology opportunities, online freelancing, world offshoring talent initiatives, and e-entrepreneur programmes.

The PDTI Tech Club aims to give 5, 000 individuals with realistic knowledge, cutting-edge engineering expertise, and the opportunity to learn from business professionals. As a member of the PDTI Tech Club, the APU AIC will have access to teams, competitions, it job days, coaching programmes, field trips, host speaker sessions, and apprenticeship and employment opportunities organised or facilitated through MDEC’s initiatives.

The APU AIC works closely with team officials Dr. Muhammad Ehsan Rana, Kamalanathan Shanmugam, and Dr. Vazeerudeen Hameed to create a group of individuals who are passionate about machine learning and AI. The membership provides a system for students to learn, work, and observe the vast potential of AI.

The Research &amp, Development head of APU AIC, Terence Lim Dao Liang, a Bachelor of Computer Science ( Hons ) Intelligent Systems student, together with the vice president of the club, Tay Jun Long, who is also pursuing the same degree, attended the event with their club advisor, associate professor Dr Muhammad Ehsan Rana, and Dr Vazeerudeen Hameed.

Delighted with this reputation, Dr Ehsan remarked,” Being recognised as a Premier Digital Tech Club is a testament to our commitment to excellence in AI and systems. In the digital age, this platform does give our students unmatched opportunities to learn, develop, and lead.

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• &nbsp, 17 APU individuals recognised for their dedication to dog security
• Donated US$ 2, 200 to SPCA’s Stray-Free Selangor cutting program

On 26 October 2024, the Asia Pacific University of Technology &amp, Innovation ( APU) received recognition from Tengku Permaisuri Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Hajah Norashikin, the royal patron of Stray Free Selangor. At a meeting held at the SPCA offices in Ampang, Selangor, 17 APU pupils were honoured for their commitment to animal welfare. Led by APU’s chief operating officer, Gurpardeep Singh, and School of Business Lecturer, Abbhirami Sivarajan, the kids received the prize in the presence of SPCA president Christine Chin.

This reputation, coinciding with World Animal Day, celebrated the kids ‘ continued presence in SPCA charity programs. Since 2016, APU and SPCA have collaborated on a foundation program that engages students in quarterly initiatives to promote social animal welfare and community impact. In 2024 only, 150 fresh Foundation pupils volunteered with SPCA, reinforcing the school’s commitment to service and social obligation.

Additionally, APU contributed US$ 2, 200 ( RM10, 000 ) to SPCA’s neutering programme under the Stray-Free Selangor initiative, championed by Tengku Permaisuri Selangor. APU individuals also supported SPCA’s” Potong Royong” neutering plan, held from 9–15 December 2024 at Dewan Liparis in Kota Kemuning, Selangor, assisting with things like as sterilising products, registering members, caring for animals, and escorting Guests. To reduce the errant dog population, this initiative provides free cutting services.

Reflecting on the engagement, Gurpardeep Singh stated,” APU’s collaboration with SPCA has supported a critical reason while fostering character development among our kids. By engaging in such important initiatives, they cultivate compassion and obligation, enriching their personal and professional adventures”.

The award highlights APU’s devotion to fostering socially responsible graduates, making sure their efforts currently contribute to a more sympathetic future.

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• Prior to joining Crayon Singapore as the selling producer,
• Held management roles at Microsoft, Google, and Amazon

Crayon, a global leader in IT services and innovation, has appointed Kig Keat Yong ( pic ) as general manager of Singapore. Following a prosperous career as sales producer for Crayon Singapore, Yong now takes on this position.

With over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, Yong has built a solid reputation in business income and modern change. He has held leadership roles at global tech giants such as Microsoft, Google, and Salesforce, consistently delivering approaches to optimise IT investments and develop digital technology. Besides establishing himself as a creative head focused on customer victory at Crayon, Yong has also excelled.

Yong said in a statement about his new position,” I am honored to guide Crayon Singapore during this active period of growth. My objectives are clear: to develop relationships with our customers and partners, increase our route business, and develop a people-first tradition”.

Yong brings a wealth of experience and a range of abilities to the position. Fluent in English, Malay, Chinese, and Cantonese, he is well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the Asia Pacific business. He holds advanced credentials in cloud system, including Google Cloud Platform Basics and Trusted Google Cloud Infrastructure, and earned difference in the Microsoft-INSEAD Online Business Strategy and Financial Acumen program. His style of leadership is characterized by empowering groups and creating effective solutions.

Yong’s visit aligns easily with Crayon’s objective to” Optimise to Innovate”, where cost optimisation supports company transformation. &nbsp,

Rhonda Robati, executive vice president of Crayon Asia Pacific, expressed confidence in Yong’s management, stating,” I’m thrilled to allowed Yong as general manager of Singapore. His extensive experience and partner-focused knowledge make him the best head for progress and partner victory. As we continue to provide our customers and partners with exceptional value, his commitment to customer success and ability to inspire excellence are unquestionable.

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• Aims to help &nbsp, PR1MA reduce operational costs, accept sustainable practices
• TM One to strengthen PR1MA’s job monitoring &amp, operations with central structure

TM, through its enterprise and government sector digital solutions arm, TM One, has announced a partnership with PR1MA Corporation Malaysia ( PR1MA ) to drive high-speed internet infrastructure, digital services, and Internet of Things ( IoT ) -based solutions across PR1MA’s housing projects.

Over the next three years, TM One plans to employ a centralized tracking system for PR1MA’s job monitoring and workflows, enhancing operations, source management, and data-driven decision-making. Its IoT-based energy and environmental surveillance alternatives will also aid PR1MA in adopting sustainable best practices and lowering operational costs.

Executive Vice President of TM One Shazurawati Abd Karim stated,” We are pleased to work with PR1MA to enhance modern infrastructure and smart home solutions across their personal tasks. This agreement supports the development of related and eco-friendly living areas, aligning with PR1MA’s community-centric eyesight and Malaysia’s wise city aspirations. By fostering future-ready communities and green urbanisation, we aim to integrate digital technology into cheap, high-quality cover”.

She continued,” This effort not only helps online communities and lifestyles but also marks another breakthrough in TM’s trip as a modern powerhouse, promoting business growth and opening new opportunities for organizations and the country.”

However, Haji Mohd Nazri al Md Shariff, party CEO and part of the corporation, PR1MA Corporation Malaysia, commented:” We are excited to work with TM in our mission to supply high-quality, affordable homes to Malaysians. PR1MA continues to work hard to create contemporary, pleasant homes that raise the standard of living for its residents. Our engagement with TM will provide high-speed online access to PR1MA areas, making it easier for people to function, learn, and enjoy amusement from the comfort of their homes”.

He added that the partnership would enable PR1MA to enhance its property management services using cutting-edge digital technologies.

” Through this collaboration, PR1MA aims to integrate smart solutions from planning to construction, ensuring efficient project management. It will also enable our subsidiaries, PR1MA Communications Sdn Bhd and PR1MA Facilities Management Sdn Bhd, to deliver sustainable connectivity and advanced technologies that improve convenience, security, and quality of life for residents. These efforts will transform PR1MA developments into fully connected, smart communities”, Haji Mohd Nazri added.

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• &nbsp, Synology Office Suite enhances cooperation and communication&nbsp,
• Solutions target costs, enhance security &amp, support evolving education needs

It’s a crucial time to reevaluate long-term requirements for institutions that have relied on production SaaS solutions for years. Institutions are faced with major challenges, including increased costs and decreased efficiency, as companies like Google and Microsoft continue to offer free unlimited storeroom in 2022. These advancements underscore the importance of adopting techniques that provide balance, flexibility, and control.

By January 2025, Microsoft will roll out major changes to its Microsoft 365 Education programs, including retiring the Office 365 A1 Plus program, reducing store pools to 100TB per client, and restricting some licenses to web-only applications without their equivalent desktop versions, including Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.

Some schools may have to reconsider their reliance on SaaS options as a result of these adjustments, which may drive them toward higher-cost paid plans or push them to redistribute resources to maintain functionality. Beyond economic relevance, there are also rising fears over data protection and compliance. Educational institutions handle a lot of sensitive data, including financial and research data for students. This makes them prime targets of cyberattacks, which target nearly 80 % of institutions annually ( Netwrix, 2024 ). However, compliance with regulations such as FERPA and GDPR requires safe, secret, and quantifiable information management practices, which some SaaS solutions may struggle to join.

Shifting to an on-premise productivity solution offers educational institutions increased control over their data, cost predictability, and storage scalability. On-premise solutions can provide a stable framework that is better suited for long-term needs than SaaS offerings, which are prone to subscription price increases and unanticipated changes to their service features. Locally stored data is also used to protect privacy, assisting schools in meeting compliance standards while safeguarding sensitive information.

Synology Office Suite, one of the on-premise productivity solutions, improves collaboration and communication by allowing for secure file storage, granular sharing permissions, real-time document editing, and instant messaging, as well as facilitating both group projects for students and file management among faculty.

Learn more | Synology Office Suite

For IT administrators, these solutions simplify management with centralized dashboards, system health monitoring, and auditing tools for compliance. Advanced access controls make it possible to delegate tasks effectively between IT teams, resulting in smoother workflows and more effective oversight of digital infrastructure.

Changes from major SaaS providers may cause disruption to operations in the near future, but they also give educational institutions a chance to reevaluate the suitability of their current systems. On-premise productivity solutions provide a sustainable way to address cost issues, increase security, and lay a resilient digital foundation for the changing educational needs of educators and students alike.

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2024 marked a pivotal year for technological advancements, with Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) driving innovation, streamlining operations, and enabling data-driven decisions across industries.

In Malaysia, Budget 2025 allocated RM10 million to the National AI Office ( NAIO ) and US$ 11.2 million ( RM50 million ) to AI education in research universities. Gobind Singh Deo, the country’s online business, is being supported by these methods, which are expected to contribute more than 25.5 percentage to GDP by 2025, according to modern secretary.

These opportunities underscore Malaysia’s devotion to AI authority and expertise growth, major to its ASEAN chairpersonship ambitions.

In this episode, we discussed how advancements such as Generative AI ( Gen AI ) will shape the country’s future, revolutionise decision-making, and redefine success in 2025 and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for AI adoption across various industries.

Keynote by MA Sivanesan, deputy secretary-general ( Digital Development ), Digital Ministry

Following opening remarks by Dickson Woo, managing director and technology leader, IBM Malaysia, Sivanesan shared how Budget 2025 emphasises AI’s strategic importance by allocating US$ 2.2 million ( RM10 million ) to establish the NAIO and US$ 11.2 million ( RM50 million ) for AI-focused research in universities.

The NAIO may work as a central authority, advancing Malaysia’s AI plan by promoting social AI management, coordinating sector-wide work, and developing the Artificial action plan for 2026–2030. The Digital Ministry is also driving skills development through incentives for high-tech education in AI and robotics, while fostering cross-sector collaboration between government, private sectors, and academia to increase innovation and maintain Malaysia’s local competitiveness.

The second border of AI culture: Scaling AI for influence

The program began with IBM Malaysia’s Dickson Woo&nbsp, sharing the main focus of AI opportunities in Asia-Pacific organisations, outlining the five proper trends shaping the country’s AI potential.

• Organizations will adopt a” Strategic AI” approach in 2025, giving priority to projects based on feasibility and business impact, as AI-led revenue generation takes center stage.
• Smaller specialised open-source models emerge as a powerful alternative for many AI applications: Purpose-built models will be in demand, including those designed for local languages, nuanced regional contexts and simpler computational tasks.
• Enterprises embrace new tools for visibility, governance and seamless AI integration: Asia-Pacific organisations will increasingly leverage open-source AI models to drive innovation and efficiency.
• AI agents redefine the future of work: Businesses will increasingly create agentic workflows that can independently carry out tasks, collaborate with human workers, and create value for the business.
• The next stage of AI is centered on human-centred innovation, despite the adoption of productivity tools as a major focus for the use of AI to enhance human capabilities and experiences.

Unlocking the potential of Generative AI: Why should businesses embrace the AI revolution today?

The session continued with Eddy Liew, chief technology officer, IBM Malaysia, discussing how to choose the right Gen AI for an organization. He compared IBM’s Watsonx and the generic Gen AI model’s main differences. He further shared that business leaders face challenges in scaling AI across their enterprise with trust- at least 80 percent of surveyed business leaders see at least one of four ethical issues ( explainability, ethics, bias, trust ) as a major concern.

Fireside chat: AI Unleashed: Transforming Industries and Shaping the Future

A panel of four esteemed industry experts then take to the stage to discuss how AI has taken over Malaysia’s digital landscape.

Panellists:

• Ellina Roslan, senior director, MyDIGITAL
• Low Chia Seng, TIME Cloud chief technology officer, TIMEdotCom
• Dr. Sadesh Manikam, senior vice-president, Enterprise Data Office, Bursa Malaysia
• Rushdi Abdul Rahim, President and CEO, Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology ( MIGHT)
• Moderator: Karamjit Singh, CEO, Digital News Asia

Woo wrapped up the discussion by reiterating how AI is fundamentally altering Malaysia’s businesses to a level never before. Businesses are expected to embrace AI by 2025, with a strong emphasis on initiatives that emphasize human-centered innovation and productivity improvement. Utilizing flexible, open-source architecture and effectively managing the seamless integration of AI to achieve measurable outcomes will be part of this.

” Strong public-private collaboration within the digital ecosystem will be crucial for this transition, ushering in a new era of technological advancement, positioning AI as a true enabler of sustainable growth and a competitive advantage”, he said in closing.

Catch the full discussions in Top In Tech Ep41: IBM’S CXO Dialogue | Future Forward: AI &amp, Tech Trends to Watch in 2025 – HERE

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