UM and SEGi establish nation’s first IR4.0 Development Hub to promote tech economy

SEGi College Kuala Lumpur (SCKL) and the Centre for Biomedical and Technology Integration (CBMTI) today formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a SEGi IR4.0 Development Hub within the college premise.

This partnership will enable CBMTI, a smart start-up established by Universiti Malaya (UM), to consult, train and assist SEGi in setting up the hub to promote nation-building efforts, particularly in creating and developing technology-driven new enterprises and a new generation of highly-skilled talents.

“The hub will function as a Technology Business Incubator (TBI) to develop new IR4.0 skills and talents to grow the nation’s talent pool and promote a sustainable tech economy. We will have certification programmes, project management opportunities, skills and technical training and development as well as employment opportunities for all including students, professionals and the unemployed,” said Stella Lau, Chief Executive Officer, SEGi Group of Colleges.

“With more people migrating to digital infrastructures, there is going to be a greater need for skilled professionals to ideate, develop, execute and implement innovative solutions to meet the market’s needs. More importantly, the entire value chain will be impacted by this change so everyone gets a slice of the pie,” said Lau.

SCKL’s School of Engineering and Technology Head, David Foo Sek Kuan said the IR4.0 Development Hub will be able to meet the rising demands by providing relevant certification training in technical, technology, entrepreneurial, people and healthcare specialisations.

“In addition to professional certification, apprenticeship and employment opportunities, the hub can also facilitate research and development (R&D), entrepreneurial training, innovation design, technology transfer and commercialisation efforts,” said Foo.

A collaboration between an award-winning and well-recognised start-up like CBMTI and established academia like SEGi has major advantages as both parties can complement the R&D and human capital training initiatives.

“Aside from fulfilling the nation’s need for skilled human capital, such collaborations also equip current student population with relevant knowledge and skills to prepare them for tomorrow’s job market through industry collaborations and engagements, mentoring and coaching,” he added.

Interestingly, through this collaboration, SEGi and CBMTI also create awareness and facilitate the development of self-employment and entrepreneurship culture as IR4.0 paves the way for new job and wealth creations. SCKL is the first tertiary institution to collaborate with CBMTI.

The MoU was signed Lau and Professor Dato’ Dr. Zainal Ariff Abdul Rahman, Director of CBMTI and it was witnessed by SCKL Principal Sri Jaiandran Munusamy and CBMTI CEO Yuwaraj Kumar.

(from left) Sri Jaiandran, Lau, Professor Dato’ Dr. Zainal and Yuwaraj at the MoU exchange between SEGi College Kuala Lumpur and CBMTI, Universiti Malaya.

Lau and Professor Dato’ Dr. Zainal (centre) exchanging MoU documents witnessed by staff and management of SEGi College Kuala Lumpur and CBMTI, Universiti Malaya.

SCKL’s School of Engineering and Technology Head, David Foo says the IR4.0 Development Hub will be able to meet the rising demands by providing relevant certification training in technical, technology, entrepreneurial, people and healthcare specialisations.

 

Lau (centre) says the IR4.0 hub will function as a Technology Business Incubator to develop new IR4.0 skills and talents to grow the nation’s talent pool and promote a sustainable tech economy.