According to a recent report, about 60 digital economy experts from different parts of the world gathered at Curtin University Malaysia to brainstorm ways to use digital technology for greater socio-economic benefits.
The report noted that the university’s pro-vice-chancellor said the full potential of the digital economy had not been achieved in Sarawak or Malaysia, and even in many advanced countries. He noted that many developing countries have yet to benefit from the promises of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).
In the university’s press release, it was noted that countries across the world have long recognised the importance of digital transformation and the advancement science, technology and innovation, and digital transformation and Industry 4.0 are now key foci of both the state and national governments to drive future development.
It was noted, however, while the impact of this on businesses has been profound, many are struggling to realise the full potential of digitisation.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that according to the McKinsey Global Institute’s Industry Digitisation Index, Europe is currently operating at 12 per cent of its digital potential, while the USA is operating at 18 per cent.
Professor Mienczakowski added that the percentages clearly demonstrated that, while business processes are undergoing great change and making much progress in the adoption of digitisation, even advanced economies are struggling to exploit the full potential of digitisation.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor reportedly stated that, as such, there is a need to empower today’s industries with new tools to respond to global challenges.
He added that scientists and engineers in academia and the industry should promote national and international interests by advancing strategies for employing STI to address global challenges and improve development outcome.
He noted that despite the changes occurring across the globe and in Malaysia, one thing that has not changed is the pressure to find new ways of exploiting new knowledge.
The vice-chancellor officiated the ceremony celebrating the 11th Curtin University Science and Engineering (CUTSE) International Conference 2018 at the campus in Malaysia.
A senior lecturer at Curtin Malaysia, who is the organising chairperson for CUTSE, stated that the conference this year was themed “Digital Transformation and Innovation in the Digital Era”.
She noted that this conference is a great platform for researchers and industry players to come together to have discussions and produce papers and products relevant to the industry.
She added that Malaysia may still have a long way to go for digital transformation but conferences such as CUTSE is one of the ways to spur discussion among the relevant agencies.
The senior lecturer also stated that the speakers included the Sarawak government chief scientist and the chief advisor for the digital economy, the Keysight education development manager for Asia Pacific Daniel Yap, and the dean of Curtin Malaysia’s Research and Development department.
It was learnt that CUTSE received 90 paper submissions, the highest number of papers received by the conference to date.
The One Curtin International Postgraduate Conference (OCPC) 2018, during which the university’s Masters and Doctor of Philosophy students presented their papers, was held concurrently.