Latest news with #DigitalHub
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Louth County Council signs contract for construction works to begin on Drogheda Digital Hub
The signing commences construction works that will begin immediately on the project, with an aim to boost local enterprise and innovation in Drogheda. Doors are expected to open in late summer. The project will see the complete refurbishment and fit-out of a formerly derelict building into a modern, co-working and innovation space. The refurbishment is funded through Enterprise Ireland's Border Enterprise Development Fund, which is funded under the EU's Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR), with co-funding from Louth County Council. The Drogheda Digital Hub is designed to support start-ups, remote workers, and scaling tech enterprises by offering affordable co-working space, business support services, training and tailored mentoring programmes. It is expected to house over 20 co-working desks, meeting rooms, private booths, and breakout areas – providing a modern, professional environment for the region's next generation of entrepreneurs. Chief executive of Louth County Council, David Conway said: 'The Drogheda Digital Hub will support the creation of a vibrant cluster of digital start-ups, right in the heart of the town, and is a beacon for urban renewal on West Street in Drogheda. 'It reinforces that the future development of the town is positive and is further evidence that Louth County Council and our partners and stakeholders are committed to delivering projects that will improve quality of life.' With a 13.2% population increase and more than 7,000 new homes planned for the area, the organisers said that the timing of the initiative is 'critical' to support local entrepreneurship. The signing was attended by senior representatives from Louth County Council, Enterprise Ireland, Drogheda and District Chamber of Commerce, local dignitaries and the appointed contractor, Gavin Duffy, along with the director from Doohamlet Construction. Cllr Kevin Callan, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said: 'Transforming a once-derelict building into a state-of-the-art Digital Hub is a signal that Drogheda is open for innovation, investment, and fresh ideas. 'As well as providing much-needed incubation space for budding entrepreneurs, the Drogheda Digital Hub will draw footfall back to West Street, boosting local businesses, and positioning the town as one of the North-East's leading locations for digital enterprise.'
The Star
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
TM demonstrates commitment to long-term value, nation-building
KUALA LUMPUR: Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) demonstrated its firm commitment to delivering long-term value creation while enabling inclusive digital progress for the nation. TM returned approximately RM1.5bil in value, benefiting various stakeholders through dividends and contributions that supported national socioeconomic progress. TM also prioritised strategic investments in business growth, community development, social impact programmes, and employee development, further generating a multiplier impact on the broader national economy. These efforts reflect TM's focus on delivering sustainable returns to shareholders while staying true to its core purpose of creating value for all stakeholders as a nation-builder. 'At TM, we see ourselves as facilitators of national progress, driving inclusive digital transformation that empowers enterprises, enriches communities and bolsters economic resilience. 'We are fully aligned with this vision – staying agile, expanding our capabilities and setting new benchmarks in service excellence to ensure that Malaysia remains at the forefront of the digital economy. 'This is what it means to be a world-class organisation,' said TM chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Putih. This was reflected at TM's AGM held at Menara TM here, where all 14 resolutions tabled were duly passed by shareholders. The meeting was chaired by Zainal, with the board of directors and managing director and group chief executive officer Amar Huzaimi Md Deris in attendance. Beyond profits, TM is committed to driving digital inclusivity for all, including nurturing future-ready talent, empowering communities and expanding inclusive digital access across the country. For example, TM is expanding its digitalisation efforts and community-building in Pulau Tioman, starting with Kampung Mukut. Similar programmes are being considered for other islands already connected through TM's submarine cable infrastructure. TM is also committed to developing schools on these islands, with a focus on nurturing youth through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and digital exposure. 'Our goal is to build digital ecosystems that empower local communities, helping them shift from traditional livelihoods to sustainable, future-ready opportunities,' said Amar. These efforts are further supported by the TM Future Skills (TMFS) School programme, where TM has created three 'nucleus' schools designed as regional hubs for innovation via the TMFS Digital Hub. TM also plans to onboard 25 new schools in 2025. Meanwhile, Yayasan TM has launched the Yayasan TM technical and vocational education and training (TVET) Madani initiative to enhance the skill sets and employability of TVET graduates, while its education arm, Multimedia University, collaborates with schools nationwide to provide early exposure to STEM subjects through workshops and career guidance. TM also continues to provide tailored digital solutions to more than 400,000 micro, small and medium enterprises nationwide, helping them grow and thrive in the digital economy. Under its talent development agenda, TM has contributed RM641mil to date to nurture close to 19,000 talents, many of whom now contribute to the broader digital economy and are part of the leadership in corporate organisations and national institutions. 'This is how we demonstrate that success and achieving a higher purpose can go hand in hand,' said Amar. Championing sustainability and responsible growth Sustainability remains core to TM's long-term strategy. The group's Sustainability Framework, introduced in 2024, is built on two key objectives: enabling sustainable growth for customers and communities and ensuring resilience across the business and value chain. In its data centre operation, TM sources 50% of its data centre energy from renewable resources and implements water harvesting and recycling systems for water conservation. TM is also targeting global benchmarks with a planned Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.4 for its expansion projects, with the upcoming Johor facility, developed in collaboration with Singtel's Nxera, targeting even lower PUE. Technologies such as intelligent cooling systems, solar panels and energy-efficient servers further reduce environmental impact and operational costs, ensuring TM's growth aligns with global sustainability objectives. TM's commitment to sustainable practices was recognised at multiple awards in 2024, including the Gold Award for its Smart Forestry AI tool under the Environment and Natural Resources Sub-Category: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in the MTE 2024 SDG International Innovation Awards. This recognition affirms the group's leadership in sustainability, aligned with Malaysia's environmental goals and net-zero ambitions. 'We believe sustainability is fundamental, not just an afterthought. 'Our goal is to grow responsibly, delivering technology that benefits both the economy and the environment,' said Amar. Long-term value creation 2024 marked the first full year of implementation of its PWR 2030 strategy, which is the group's roadmap to becoming a Digital Powerhouse by 2030 and positioning Malaysia as the digital hub for Asean. 'This phase is about solidifying our foundation to protect the existing core business to better position us in capitalising on emerging opportunities such as hyperconnected data centres, artificial intelligence and graphics processing unit-as-a-service, which are among the new growth areas for TM,' said Amar. During the year, TM made significant progress in strengthening its core businesses across business-to-business, business-to-consumer and consumer-to-consumer amidst intensified market competition. Key milestones include strengthening the convergence proposition and advancing digital solutions such as smart services, cloud, and cybersecurity, as well as enhancing digital infrastructure such as domestic fibre networks, mobile backhaul to support 5G, submarine cable systems and data centres. These strategic developments reinforce TM's commitment to advancing Malaysia's digital future while uplifting the broader ecosystem, with Warga TM continuing to be the driving force behind the group's growth and success. As TM continues its journey, the group remains focused on delivering long-term value creation while creating meaningful impact for the nation. 'TM is not merely a provider of technological infrastructure but an essential enabler and catalyst for a vibrant digital ecosystem, connecting Malaysia to the world and the world to Malaysia. 'As we move forward into the next phase of our journey, every initiative we undertake moves us closer to becoming a Digital Powerhouse by 2030, one that drives national progress, fosters innovation and ensures Malaysia remains at the forefront of the global digital economy,' said Amar, concluding his presentation at TM's AGM.
Irish Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
‘Thriving' Digital Hub to remain open until ‘at least 2027′
Digital Hub , the development agency in Dublin's Liberties area that the government scheduled for closure in 2021 with its properties to be redeveloped for housing, will remain open until at least the end of 2027 amid an uptick in leasing activity, its chief executive has said. The centre, which offers flexible office arrangements for budding technology and digital companies at its campus off Thomas Street in Dublin 8 , is nearing full capacity this year after adding 11 new companies in 2024. The Digital Hub currently hosts some 58 companies, which are now leasing more than 4,341sq m (46,735sq ft) of office space from the agency, 91 per cent of the total available space on site. [ Disappointment and regret as Digital Hub in Dublin's Liberties to be dissolved Opens in new window ] One other company has joined since January, the agency said in a statement, and more are expected to move into the hub in the second quarter of the year. READ MORE Fiach Mac Conghail, chief executive of the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) said the Department of Communications had confirmed the campus would remain open until at least the end of 2027. 'I am pleased to say the Digital Hub is thriving and even more so given it has now been confirmed that we will remain in operation until at least the end of 2027, he said. [ Digital Hub signs 29 new leases despite looming closure date Opens in new window ] 'We play an important role in fostering creative digital and creative enterprises and in supporting the local Dublin 8 community, especially through the delivery of a wide range of initiatives and education programmes as well as cultural events and activities.' It comes after the Government announced plans to gradually wind down the DHDA in 2021 on foot of recommendations contained in a Grant Thornton-led review of the organisation. After expressing its disappointment with the decision, the Digital Hub subsequently reached an agreement with the department to allow it to continue offering leases until 2025. The wind-down would also facilitate the transfer of the DHDA's property assets, comprising some 3.7 hectares across two sites on either side of Thomas Street, to the Land Development Agency (LDA) to be repurposed as social housing. In 2023, the LDA unveiled Pear Tree Crossing, a €180 million master plan to build more than 500 homes on the site. However, questions remain about how many of the buildings, some of which are protected structures, can be redeveloped and how long the wind-down would take. The LDA submitted a planning application for 'enabling works' related to the project on a small portion of the lands last December, which Dublin City Council sent back to the State body for additional information. Mr Mac Conghail, a member of The Irish Times Trust, said the Digital Hub continues to work closely with the LDA on the transfer of the lands and is also liaising with Dublin City Council on the regeneration of parts of Dublin 8.
