USM PENANG, 29 November 2021 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has been chosen as one of the universities in Malaysia to participate in the Artificial Intelligence for University (AI4U) programme, co-organised by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Intel Corporation and Malaysia Productive Corporation (MPC).

The aim of this programme is to drive AI adoption in universities, and it was designed to help non-computer science students to embrace AI in their daily life.

This programme is designed to have the university’s School of Computer Sciences to be the peer trainer for the science students and lecturers, and to proliferate the AI concept with other PTJs.

The curriculum and scope of the programme is focusing on machine vision applications which is AI, and on vision-based used kits.

The launching programme was held virtually through Zoom application and Facebook Live @ MPC WayUp.

It started off with the Vice-President of Internet of Things Group (IOTG), Intel Corporation, Eric Chan Wai Pheng giving his welcoming remarks, where he said that this programme will greatly benefit lecturers and students in the universities as they will become future experts and advocates of AI once they have graduated and work in the industry.

“With this AI4U programme, we are moving another step closer in equipping and training our students in universities to be more savvy in understanding and applying AI technologies, such as machine learning and deep learning. When they graduate, they will be the critical talent pipeline to the industry,” said Eric.

“One thing we've learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic is that it has accelerated the digital transformation in our everyday life, which is becoming the new normal for the people, government and corporations as well,” he added.

The programme launching was officiated by MIDA Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Sivasuriyamoorthy Sundara Raja.

In his opening speech, he highlighted that the AI4U programme is a remarkable encouragement as it provides the best opportunity in building the nation’s economy.

“AI has the potential to create up to 6 million new jobs in Malaysia by 2030, as new skills and long-term work force training are in high demand,” he said.

He added that the programme helps to cultivate an AI mindset among universities graduates, especially to those without computer science background and to transfer an AI-based machine vision knowledge to the university community.

USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and International, Professor Dato’ Gs. Dr. Narimah Samat representing the university in the programme said that, AI technology is expected to contribute more than RM450 billion to Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the year 2030, where we need more AI experts to move further and bring our country onwards to achieve aspirations for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

“USM will also transfer the knowledge and work with other stakeholders for the benefit of the nation,” she added.

The keynote address was later delivered by the Director-General of MPC, Dato’ Abdul Latif Hj Abu Seman and the programme was introduced in detail through a short demonstration and training.

Also present were the former Dean, School of Computer Sciences, Professor Dr. Rosni Abdullah@Mustafa; School of Computer Sciences lecturer, Associate Professor Dr. Wong Li Pei; Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya (UM), Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor; President of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Ir. Professor Dr. Ewe Hong Tat; Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Tenaga Nasional Berhad (UNITEN), Professor Ir. Dr. Kamal Nasharuddin Mustapha; and Vice-Chancellor of Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Dr. Hari Narayanan.

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi