Latest news with #MultimediaUniversity
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Honouring a literary giant: A. Samad Said in digital light
A cultural transformation programme, "Apresiasi A. Samad Said 2025," is underway at the e-Gallery of the Faculty of Creative Multimedia, Multimedia University (MMU) in Cyberjaya, aimed at honouring and elevating the works and legacy of National Laureate Datuk Seri Dr A. Samad Said. The event runs until May 27th. Organised by Pertubuhan Seni Nusantara in collaboration with MMU, Crisscut Design, and Manggis Group, this high-impact initiative, according to programme director Mariana Samsudin, "has been curated through a digital, interactive, and contemporary lens." "With the theme 'Literature & Multimedia: Narratives Without Borders,' this programme features an interactive digital exhibition that blends visual art, interactive videography, and theatrical performances," says Mariana. "This approach will open up new avenues for younger generations and modern audiences to appreciate the beauty of Malay literature." Mariana elaborates on the programme's intent: "It has been designed to honour and preserve A. Samad Said's literary legacy." "This initiative emerged from a strategic collaboration with Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka (DBP). "The core idea is to present literature in a modern, immersive format, utilising digital and multimedia platforms to reach broader audiences, particularly youth and the digital-native generation." She also notes that this project, a continuation of the "Apresiasi A. Samad Said 2023" event, aligns with the national agenda, serving as a precursor to Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY 2026). "It is intended to act as a cultural teaser, showcasing Malaysia's literary and artistic heritage through digital innovation, thereby enhancing cultural tourism," she says. Mariana explains the choice of venue: "MMU was selected for this collaboration due to its strong foundation in multimedia and digital arts, which aligns perfectly with the event's theme, 'Literature & Multimedia: Narratives Without Borders'." "As a pioneering institution in digital creativity, MMU provides not only the venue (the E-Gallery, Faculty of Creative Multimedia) but also active participation and collaboration from its students and faculty, making it a natural partner for a digitally-driven literary programme." She adds: "We are grateful to MMU's President and CEO, Prof. Datuk Dr Mazliham Moh Su'ud, for his belief in our objectives and his full support for this programme." Mariana highlights the key components of the programme: "The main attractions include 'Galeri Dunia A. Samad Said,' the 'Rumah Kosong' theatre performance, and 'Dari Kata Ke Kanvas'." "'Galeri Dunia A. Samad Said' offers visitors a space to explore the deeper meanings within A. Samad Said's poetry, prose, and literary works, reimagined through digital art created by Multimedia University students, inspired by his writings," she explains. "The theatre production, 'Rumah Kosong,' is an adaptation of his poetry anthology 'Benih Semalu.' "This poetic theatre piece weaves together stories of unfulfilled journeys, a mother's hope for her child's return, a lover's yearning for family life, and a man's regret for abandoning his loved ones in pursuit of a Cause," Mariana elaborates. She notes the play's history: "The play was originally written in 2000, but only received Samad's approval and blessing three years ago, when it was staged at the Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Skudai, Johor, and at MATCHBOX by Mothership in Singapore, in collaboration with Pertubuhan Seni Nusantara, Persatuan Titian Teater Ilham Seni, DBP, and UTM's Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying." "'Dari Kata Ke Kanvas' is a competition and creative initiative designed to engage youth in discovering A. Samad Said's literary contributions by interpreting his works through digital art. "Winning entries will be displayed in Galeri Dunia A. Samad Said throughout the event," she says.
The Star
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
AI to be applied to five govt sectors to boost efficiency, says Sim
PETALING JAYA: Artificial intelligence (AI) technology will be applied in the ecosystem of five main sectors to boost delivery of services and work efficiency. The five sectors are medical and healthcare; education; agriculture and forestry; smart cities and transportation; and public service. This initiative is in line with the government's commitment to improving safety at workplaces, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim (pic). He said the Occupational Safety and Hazard Department (DOSH) would play a big part. 'The application of AI will bring a positive impact on the management of data on safety and health risks,' he said after launching the World Occupational Safety and Health Day at the Multimedia University, Cyberjaya yesterday. Sim said the integration of drone technology, augmented reality and virtual reality by DOSH officers since last year has significantly enhanced forensic engineering, enforcement and accident investigations, particularly in hard-to-reach locations. Drones were used in such places by DOSH in over 800 cases last year. As a result, 119 notices were issued to employers. Sim said the ministry had also implemented over 100 enhancements to the Occupational Health and Safety (Osha) Act. 'With the enhancements, the Osha now extends to all workplaces instead of just 10 economic sectors, as in the past. It is also compulsory now to have an occupational safety and health coordinator at any workplace with more than five workers. 'Also, the law now protects workers who may distance themselves from their workplaces if they believe it is unsafe or poses hazards. We have also raised fines for breaching Osha laws from RM50,000 to RM500,000. 'This is not to punish but to ensure workers' safety is prioritised. A gloomy economy can no longer be used as an excuse to exploit workers and compromise on their safety,' he said. Sim said workplace accident rates have dropped by 17% and deaths by 40% since 2014. Sim also said the government has taken measures to ensure that new companies, whether local or foreign-owned, are of high-growth to create more job opportunities for graduates. 'Every year, around 300,000 locals graduate from higher education institutions. 'About one-third are STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates, one-third are TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) graduates and the rest, other graduates. 'However, over the past 30 years, our economy could only provide 50,000 jobs for highly skilled workers. Hence, there is an imbalance between job opportunities and the availability of graduates,' Sim said.
Rakyat Post
25-04-2025
- Business
- Rakyat Post
PayNet's 'Program Akar' Is Back — Here's How It's Prepping Youths For An AI-Powered Future
Subscribe to our FREE If you're a student eyeing a future in AI, data science, or digital finance — and you care about doing it with purpose — PayNet's Program Akar might just be what you're looking for. The It kicks off with 25 from Multimedia University (MMU) and will grow to include 75 more from other local unis by the end of 2025. So what's Akar all about? Well, in short, it's not just about building skills — it's about building character. The programme is a team effort run by PayNet in collaboration with Microsoft (under its AIforMYFuture initiative), PEOPLElogy Berhad, and Futuresparx Sdn Bhd. Participants will go through a three-part learning journey that covers: Values-Driven Enrichment – fostering leadership, integrity, and a future-ready mindset. Digital Payment Knowledge – exploring how money has evolved, including banking systems, digital payments, and transaction security. AI & Data Science Mastery – teaching foundational tech skills and how to apply them to real-world problems. And this isn't just classroom stuff. Participants get real mentorship, hands-on experience, and job placement opportunities with some of the country's top financial players. The launch event was attended by Farhan Ahmad, Group CEO of PayNet, Ir Prof Dr Zulfadzli Yusoff, Vice President, Market Exploration, Engagement and Touchpoint (VP MEET), and Laurence Si, Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia, who shared insights on the importance of future-ready talent in Malaysia's journey toward a digital economy. 'We're Here To Build The Roots' At the launch, Farhan Ahmad, Group CEO of PayNet, said the goal of the programme is to 'build the roots'—hence the name Akar , which means 'roots' in Malay. 'Akar lives at the intersection of technology, finance, and most importantly, values,' he said. 'It's the ultimate compass when you're heading into an uncertain future. What we do with it is the difference-maker — values transcend technology.' So what kind of values is Akar trying to instil? Farhan lists them out: Aspiration — Because to innovate, you must aspire beyond what you can see. Curiosity — Ask a lot of questions. AI can help answer them, but you have to be curious enough to ask. Grit — Because in the face of people telling you you're not going to make it, you have to stand tall and say otherwise. What sets Akar apart is how seriously it takes the 'practice what you learn' part. 'Akar is not just about the training,' Farhan added. 'If you don't practice what you've learned, you lose it. The difference with Akar is that once you graduate from the learning, we put you in a position to use it. Once you put it into action, you won't forget it. We don't stop at teaching — we take it to the next level.' At PayNet, we see talent development as national development. Program Akar is about more than preparing students for jobs. It's about preparing them to lead Malaysia's digital economy with purpose. By equipping our youth with future-proof digital skills and connecting them to meaningful industry opportunities, we're strengthening Malaysia's financial ecosystem and building long-term economic resilience. PayNet CEO Farhan Ahmad. Farhan didn't sugarcoat the reality of where AI is headed. Unlike anything that preceded it, the future of AI is unknown, and no human understands how it's going to play out. That has never happened to us in the history of humanity. Every technology before this has been controllable. This one — we have no clue how it's going to go. PayNet CEO Farhan Ahmad. 'We Are The Future' Microsoft Malaysia Managing Director Laurence Si also spoke at the launch, reflecting on his decades in tech. AI is transforming every role in every industry, including financial services. By collaborating with PayNet through Program Akar, we're helping build a generation of talent equipped with the digital and AI skills to thrive, in line with Microsoft's AIForMYFuture initiative. At Microsoft, we're committed to empowering students with the capabilities needed to succeed in Malaysia's growing AI economy. Microsoft Malaysia Managing Director Laurence Si. Si has seen his fair share of revolutions in tech — from the PC era to the cloud — but said AI feels different. 'For the first time, AI is giving everyone unlimited access to data and knowledge. It's like having a personal tutor at your fingertips,' he noted. 'We're still early in the AI journey. The future's not defined yet — and who's going to define it? We are. We are the future.' Think about the word akar — foundation. That's what it's all about. Microsoft Malaysia Managing Director Laurence Si. TL;DR PayNet's Program Akar is more than just a training course — it's a mission to shape the next wave of tech talent for Malaysia. And that's something we can all root for. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
