Robofun To Nurture High-Skilled Future Talents
16 January 2023, Penang – Intel Malaysia in collaboration with the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Scuttle Robotics has successfully launched the RoboFun (Robotics for University) programme.
Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil, Deputy Secretary General (Investment) of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has officiated the launching event and expressed, “I applaud Intel’s effort in creating the RoboFun program as one of the on-going collaborations forged between Industry, Government and universities towards strengthening the robotics ecosystem in Malaysia. I believe that all these efforts will ultimately contribute to the evolution of Malaysian industries towards Industry 4.0.”
Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, CEO of MIDA said, “Intel’s initiative on talent development via RoboFun’s comprehensive training module in collaboration with local universities is an effective method to spur industry and academia knowledge sharing in developing an Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) system. The solution and Industry 4.0-related technology created by our own university talents will encourage local SMEs to optimise productivity as well as to enhance their capabilities. MIDA is looking forward to support the success of this programme which will ultimately improve local graduates’ marketability to meet the industry needs. MIDA will continue to work together synergistically with the industry and academia to support the development of the electrical and electronics (E&E) ecosystem in Malaysia.”
Dato’ Abdul Latif bin Haji Abu Seman, Director General of MPC is optimistic that the RoboFun programme will continue to increase the productivity and competitiveness of our industry and that this trend will continue in the foreseeable future. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) would be a workable solution to the problem of growing labour expenses if only the price of automating processes could be brought down. MPC, in its capacity as the programme’s operational partner, will be in charge of administering the whole training process, with Intel and Scuttle Robotics providing all necessary technical assistance.
Mr. Eric Chan, Vice President of Network and Edge Group, General Manager of Customer Application Support and Enabling, Intel Corporation said, “The digital divide is not just between the rural and the urban as it exists even at places where there are plenty of intellects. We aim to bridge this gap among the faculties, to create a new generation of workforce equipped with a higher appreciation of digital skills and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, regardless of their training disciplines. AMR is one of the best applications to realise multiple advanced technologies’ integration – from mobility, AI, control systems, OS and to automation. RoboFun aspires to help universities build capabilities and ultimately emerge as the core technology and solutions provider for SMEs in the country. We’re also proud that it would serve as a catalyst for the ecosystems to do the same and create a vibrant pool of talents, industry players and adopters of the technology. We are excited to share our experience in providing AMR solutions training to the universities and to continue working closely with all partners under this program, as we know how big a task this is for all,” Eric said when met at the program’s launch in the Intel PG16 premises.
The launching of the event today featured a line-up of five public and private universities namely; Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) that were each awarded with Intel’s Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) kits that are instrumental in establishing the universities’ respective Robotics laboratories and will serve to empower students of all faculties to upskill their knowledge and adapt to AMR systems.
Chancellors and deans from universities have expressed their positive support of the programme, citing that the programme will not only benefit youths but will potentially catapult the initiative of enhancing the Autonomous Mobile Robots capabilities among students and lecturers. Through collaboration by Intel and Scuttle Robotics, they managed to produce a robust AMR solution. Considering the driving force behind the demand for AMR robots, the university representatives expressed their confidence that the RoboFun programme is the way forward for Malaysians to address the concern of chronic shortage of skilled workers.
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About Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)
MIDA is the Government’s principal investment promotion and development 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 21 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, TikTok and YouTube channel.
About the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)
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.
About Intel
Intel Malaysia was the first offshore site for Intel Corporation, with more than RM22 billion invested since 1972. Today, Intel Malaysia employs more than 12,000 employees including the country’s largest design and development centre and one of only two Intel shared services hubs supporting HR, Finance, Procurement, IT, and Supply Chain operations to Intel sites globally. Intel Malaysia is also Intel’s largest assembly and test manufacturing site that produces Intel’s latest products utilizing smart manufacturing techniques. © Intel Corporation. Intel, the Intel logo and other Intel marks are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
For media enquiries please contact:
MIDA:
Ms. Noor Suziyanti Saad
Director, Electrical & Electronics Division
E-mail : [email protected] | DL: +603 – 2267 3575
MPC :
Ms. Lee Wan Wei
Senior Manager
E-mail : [email protected] | Mobile : +6012 – 295 5105
INTEL :
Mr. Calvin Kwok
Strategic Communications & Higher Education Program Manager,
Public Affairs, Intel Malaysia
E-mail : [email protected] | Mobile : + 6016 – 451 3836
