PENANG POISED TO BECOME ASEAN’S EDUCATION HUB - CM

GEORGE TOWN, April 21 (Bernama) -- Penang has both the potential and the responsibility to emerge as a regional education hub, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

He said the ambition was anchored by the state’s educational institutions such as Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) and Penang Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) ecosystem.

 This foundation is further strengthened by decades of close industry-academia collaboration with global industrial giants such as Intel, AMD, Bosch and others.

“Let us make Penang a testbed for cross-border skill certification, especially in green technology, robotics and chip design-areas where our industries are actively growing.

“Stronger academia-industry alignment will be key to curriculum relevance and graduate employability. I encourage more regional firms to co-invest in training academies, internships and innovation labs,” he said in his opening address at the Empowering Education Summit 2025: Shaping ASEAN’s Future Through Skills and Innovation here today.

Also present was Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

At the same time, Chow called for the scaling up of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered learning, digital platforms, and blockchain credentialing.

“Penang welcomes partnerships under Malaysia's EduTech Accelerator Programme to pilot and co-develop such tools,” he said.

He further called for collaboration on student exchange programmes, dual degrees as well as digital access for underserved communities.

“Let Penang be the bridge for mobility within ASEAN. We invite partners to explore joint research centres in Penang focused on semiconductors, sustainability and digital innovation, leveraging the ASEAN Innovation Fund and Penang’s research and development ecosystem,” he added.

-- BERNAMA