KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and Intel Malaysia today awarded Intel’s Artificial Intelligent (AI) Kits to five (5) local universities, namely Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Universiti Tenaga Nasional and Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation.

To ensure a conducive learning environment for the youth, MPC, MIDA and Intel Malaysia are pushing to break the myth that digital technology is only for techies. Designed with innovation in mind, the ‘AI-based machine vision’ kits align with the growth of the emerging technologies by providing education institutions an avenue to equip future talents with AI skills.

This handover event is a continuation of Artificial Intelligence for Universities (AI4U) programme launched by the organisations in November 2021, to facilitate the building of their respective AI Labs among these institutions to cultivate computational thinking skills among students of various fields of study. This sponsorship opportunity will also enhance training and learning capabilities, initiate research in technology theories and design, and introduce intelligent computing and machine learning.

Dato’ Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA in his welcome remarks, said “AI education unlocks collaborative and remote learning, giving communities of learners ubiquitous access to knowledge and self-development. MIDA aspires to emulate the success of the AI4U Programme to initiate multiple academia-industry collaborations because such initiatives are fundamental to our future. Besides creating high-value job opportunities, we are responsible for preparing our aspiring young technology innovators and leaders because they are crucial to nation-building in this technologically driven era. We hope today's milestone will trigger new opportunities to emulate similar partnerships between premier universities and the corporate sector to enhance growth in AI-related research activities and commercial product innovation. Congratulations to everyone involved!”

The Director General of MPC, Dato’ Abdul Latif Hj. Abu Seman said MPC is delighted to collaborate with MIDA and Intel Malaysia in the AI4U programme. He remarked, “As technology evolves, employers are asking for graduates with different skills as well and higher education will need to respond accordingly. As we ramp up our efforts, we gave the education institutions a facelift to reflect our goals for an AI-driven future.”

The five (5) selected universities are expected to establish their respective AI labs, which will serve to empower students of all faculties to learn and experience AI. This programme is also designed to have the computer science faculty of the universities to be the peer trainer by their respective computer science students and lecturers to the rest of their faculty.


About MIDA
MIDA is the government's principal promotion agency under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) to oversee and drive investments into the manufacturing and services sectors in Malaysia. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, MIDA has 12 regional and 20 overseas offices. MIDA continues to be the strategic partner to businesses in seizing the opportunities arising from the technology revolution of this era. For more information, please visit www.mida.gov.my and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

About MPC
The Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) is a statutory body under the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). MPC promotes productivity, quality and competitiveness to the industries and organisations in Malaysia. MPC's vision is to be the leading organisation in productivity enhancement for global competitiveness and innovation.

Associated images for the media release can be found at
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EbEFqPRPNYeoS3dgmG3iLT5y6USQXpF2?usp=sharing

SOURCE: Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
MIDA
Name: Aizah Abdullah
Director
Industry Talent Management and Expatriate Division
Tel: +603-2267 3529
Email: aizaha@mida.gov.my 

MPC
Name: Huda Atiqah Samsir
Tel: +6013 726 1950
Email: atiqah@mpc.gov.my 

Name: Lee Wan Wei
Tel: +6012 295 5105
Email: wanwei@mpc.gov.my 

--BERNAMA