by AUFA MARDHIAH / puc BLOOMBERG
HUAWEI Malaysia and Mimos Bhd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop the “Upskilling for Deep Tech and Future Skills” training programme, which focuses on upskilling and placing of local trained workforce within the deep technology industry to accelerate the nation’s shift towards IR4.0.
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology (Mosti) Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said the training programme is Mosti’s initiative to aid the industry to get credible employees with competent skills as well as capacity development employees through exposure to the real needs of the industry.
“The programme aims to help Malaysians, especially those who have lost their source of income, to return to generate a stable income and have the opportunity to improve their skills. It is also in line with the mandate given to Mosti under the Malaysia Family Job Guarantee Initiative to create 5,000 job opportunities in the field of deep tech and future skills,” he told reporters after witnessing the MoU signing ceremony yesterday.
Furthermore, Dr Adham said Mimos will launch a digital transformation programme in June to choose 1,000 talents among local IT-based companies to undergo Huawei certified ICT associate ole Huawei training and certification.
The professional training and certification focus on five key areas based on the 10-10 MySTIE framework which encompasses 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, artificial intelligence (AI), as well as 5G Radio Access Network (RAN).
“I believe that with the capabilities, expertise and collaboration between Mimos and Huawei in the field of advanced technology, electrical and electronics, as well as with the state-of-the-art facilities provided by Huawei, this programme will enhance skills and sustainable competitiveness among Malaysians,” he said.
Commenting further on the purpose of the MoU, Mimos president and CEO Dr Iskandar Samad said the ministry’s initiative to introduce the programme is timely. “Mimos welcomes its aspired target for job creation and placement of at least 5,000 Malaysian talents each year into deep tech, especially those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Deep tech is often placed at the bleeding and disruptive edge of scientific discovery — have the power to solve pressing global challenges and entirely disrupt existing industries,” he added.
On the involvement of both parties, he said, “In this programme, Huawei will play the role of training provider, offering world-class professional training and certification in five specific fields:
5G, Al, IoT, Big Data and 5G RAN. “While Mimos will identify companies and target talents with high potential within and across the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) base and funnel them into programmes, as well as assist in providing critical feedback to Huawei to fine-tune the training syllabus to be best suited to the market demands of today, across different industries and areas of competencies.”
He also explained that for Malaysia to become a high-tech and high-income nation (one anchored in technology), it is important to embrace and master deep technologies such as 5G or 6G, sensor technology, 4D printing, advanced materials, blockchain, AI and robotics — among the few domains that Malaysia can potentially leverage to help transform the country from merely users, to technology creators and owners.
On the other hand, Huawei Malaysia CEO Michael Yuan said to strengthen the roots of a digital ecosystem, digital talent cultivation becomes a cornerstone for unleashing development.
“More than anything else, IoT, AI, Big Data Analytics and cloud computing require talent. We need to intensify efforts in developing digital talent and in enhancing our expertise with partners in the technology sector to ensure we are not left behind.
Huawei Malaysia will continue to support the government’s aspirations for industry transformation which includes mentoring a bigger digital talent pool in Malaysia, assisting in developing more digital talents for the Malaysian workforce across industries and expanding their digital boundaries by using our skills and expertise,” he said.
Previously, Mimos and Huawei collaborated to set up the 5G and Al Innovation Hub to boost technology adoption among enterprises especially SMEs by showcasing and co-developing 5G industry and Al use cases, housed in a common facility accessible by industry; as well as exploring the co-development of solar technology — to accelerate the development of indigenous products by leveraging reference designs from them.
Last year, Malaysia’s economy grew at a rate of 3.1% compared to a decline of 5.6% in 2020, due to prolonged economic closures coupled with the continued closure of national borders.
With the lifting of restrictions such as mandatory quarantine, the GDP growth target of 5.5% to 6% for 2022 becomes more realistic, and will then benefit the deep tech industry.