Digital technology, Industry 4.0 drivers of economic growth
MIRI: Malaysia and many developing countries have yet to tap the full potentials of technological change which is recognised as a driving force for economic growth,
Pro vice-chancellor, president and chief executive of Curtin Malaysia, Professor Jim Mienczakowski, said countries across the world have long recognised the importance of digital transformation and Industry 4.0, which are now key foci of both the state and national governments to drive future development.
"While the impact of this on businesses has been profound, many are struggling to realise the full potential of digitisation.
According to McKinsey Global Institute's Industry Digitization Index, Europe is currently operating at 12 per cent of its digital potential, while the USA is operating at 18 per cent," said Mienczakowski when simultaneously officiating at the 11th Curtin University Technology, Science and Engineering (CUTSE) International Conference 2018, and the One Curtin International Postgraduate Conference (OCPC) 2018 at its campus in Senadin yesterday.
Mienczakowski added that the percentage of using digital in Europe and USA clearly demonstrated that, while business processes are undergoing great change making much progress in the adoption of digitisation, even advanced economies were struggling to exploit the full potential of digitisation.
He said it was in light of these issues, particularly those affecting this region that Curtin Malaysia organised the Cutse International Conference 2018 and OCPC, and hoped there would be much discussion and beneficial outcomes from the two-day conferences.
"Scientists and engineers in the academia or industry have a significant role to play in promoting national and international interests by advancing strategies for employing science, technology, and innovation to address global challenges and improve development outcomes.
The conference carrying the theme 'Digital Transformation and Innovations in the Digital Era' aimed to provide an excellent platform for researchers, engineers, scientists, academicians, industrial experts, technological enthusiast as well as students of higher learning institutions to share and deliberate on the latest and relevant theories and practices.
It attracted about 70 particpants from Perth, Myanmar, Indonesia, Sarawak and host Miri with 90 papers presented at the conference.
Speakers Professor Clem Kuek who is also director of Curtin Malaysia Research Institute (CMRI), and conference chairs Dr Ling Huo Chong for the CUTSE and Dr Raoof Gholami (OCPC) were among those present.