Latest news with #andInnovation
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
PKR veep Chang says not quitting, rubbishes allegations 11 PKR MPs withdraw support for PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Two Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) MPs have denied allegations that they, along with nine others, have withdrawn their support for PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also serving as Prime Minister. PKR vice-president Chang Lih Kang, who is also Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, described the allegations as ridiculous. "Rafizi (Ramli) and Nik Nazmi's (Nik Ahmad) resignations from Cabinet are out of decorum and in the spirit of democracy. Others need not sully the waters. That's all," the Tanjung Malim MP said in a Facebook late Wednesday (May 28) night. Rumours have swirled as a result of a viral screenshot on WhatsApp and on the Facebook account of blogger Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, popularly known as Papagomo, claiming that 11 PKR MPs - Rafizi (Pandan), Nik Nazmi (Setiawangsa), Chang (Tanjung Malim), Tan Kar Hing (Gopeng), Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir (Johor Baru), Wong Chen (Subang), Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju), Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Ledang), Lee Chean Chung (Petaling Jaya), Onn Abu Bakar (Batu Pahat) and Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun (Port Dickson) - have withdrawn their support for Anwar and will hold a media conference on May 30 about the matter. Meanwhile, Tan condemned the allegations on Facebook, describing it as a malicious political slander. "I strongly deny the allegations made by Muhammad Azri in an FB post. My stand and idealism in the struggle have not changed even with the recent party election results," he said, adding that he had obtained advice from his lawyer and did not deny the possibility of taking legal action. Rafizi and Nik Nazmi announced their resignation as ministers effective June 17 and July 4, respectively, following their losses in the recent PKR party election, where Rafizi lost his deputy president's post to Nurul Izzah Anwar and Nik Nazmi failed in securing a vice-president's post. - Bernama
Ya Biladi
4 days ago
- Science
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan students win global innovation Grand Prize at Huawei ICT competition in China
A team of Moroccan students won the Grand Prize in the Innovation category at the Huawei ICT Competition 2024–2025 during the global finals held in Shenzhen, China, from May 19 to 25. Announced by Huawei Morocco in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, this achievement marks a historic first for Morocco in this prestigious competition, which annually brings together top global talents in information and communication technology (ICT). According to an official statement, the Moroccan team consisted of Ayman Amokrane, Maryeme Hassani, and Ibrahim Lamrabet, all students at the Faculty of Science and Technology in Errachidia, under Moulay Ismaïl University. Guided by Professor Yousef Farhaoui, the team developed NovaOr, a digital solution for intelligent hospital management. «Thanks to its decision support system, NovaOr reduces processing times, alleviates congestion in healthcare services, and streamlines resource allocation, thereby enhancing coordination and optimizing the patient experience», the statement explained. The journey of the laureates—from registration in September 2024 through national and regional selection stages—was highly praised by the international jury and experts. For Huawei Morocco and the ministry, this success underscores «the academic excellence of Moroccan universities» and reflects Huawei's commitment to «integrate digital technology into university curricula and stimulate innovation among young talents, in line with technological transformation and digital sovereignty». Both parties emphasized that this recognition, «achieved against teams from the world's leading universities, not only demonstrates the high level of preparation of Moroccan students but also their capacity to propose innovative solutions with significant added value».
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Making strides in innovation
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is stepping up efforts to position itself as a key player in the global innovation landscape, says Chang Lih Kang. The Science, Technology and Innovation Minister said Malaysia climbed from 36th place to 33rd in the Global Innovation Index 2024, a sign that the country's innovation agenda is gaining international recognition. 'This is no small feat. It shows the world that Malaysia is serious about building an innovation-driven economy,' he said. Chang said the improvement was the result of focused government policies and strong investment in research and development, as well as growing collaboration between the public and private sectors. 'But we cannot stop here. To keep moving forward, we need strong partners. China, with its strengths in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI), green technology and more, is undoubtedly one of them,' he said during a speech at the Asean-China Economic Forum and the Third China International Supply Chain Expo Roadshow here yesterday. He said Malaysia's central position in Asean, combined with its skilled, multilingual workforce and business-friendly policies, makes it a natural partner for global companies looking to expand in the region. 'China brings scale and advanced technology. Malaysia brings agility and connectivity. Together, we can build not just strong supply chains, but smart and sustainable ones,' he said. Chang added the ministry is ensuring that science and technology become the backbone of Malaysia's future economy. This plan includes major investments in areas such as hydrogen, robotics, AI and semiconductors. He pointed to national efforts like the Hydrogen Economy and Technology Roadmap and the soon-to-be-launched National Semiconductor Strategy, both of which create space for deeper engagement with China and Asean. 'These efforts align with the Malaysia Madani vision – to build a sustainable, innovative and resilient nation,' Chang said. Malaysia-China Business Council (MCBC) chairman Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan said the recent upgrade of the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA 3.0), which includes new chapters on digital and green economies, supply chain connectivity and small and medium enterprises (SME) cooperation, has further strengthened regional ties. Asean and China, he said, are now each other's largest trading partners, with strong growth in trade and investment. China has been Asean's top trading partner for 16 years straight since 2009, and Asean has also become China's largest trading partner for the last five years since 2020, he added. 'Countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam are emerging as competitive production hubs, navigating geopolitical shifts while deepening economic ties with China,' he added. The MCBC and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) jointly hosted the forum and roadshow. It aims to strengthen Asean-China economic ties, promote resilient and sustainable supply chains, and showcase collaboration opportunities in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, green agriculture, the digital economy, smart infrastructure and healthcare. The event is aligned with the forthcoming Third China International Supply Chain Expo, scheduled to take place in China from 16 to 20 July. Low said the forum and roadshow offer not just opportunities for large firms but also open doors for SMEs to integrate into China's vast supply chain network. 'This platform promotes greater inclusivity, resilience and sustainable growth,' he said. He also noted that as Asean Chair this year, Malaysia is well-placed to drive regional supply chain integration in sectors like semiconductors, renewable energy, electric vehicles and digital technology. 'Our strategic location and capabilities make Malaysia an ideal hub. With the National Energy Transition Roadmap offering RM637bil in opportunities by 2050 and China's strengths in solar and hydropower, we see strong potential for collaboration,' Low said. Also present were the Prime Minister's political secretary Chan Ming Kai, MCBC director and chief executive officer Datuk Tan Tian Meng, CCPIT president Ren Hongbin and China International Exhibition Center Group chairman Lin Shunjie.
Qatar Tribune
23-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QRDI council concludes third Innovation Day at the Fifth Qatar Economic Forum
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council hosted its third consecutive Innovation Day, on the final day of the 5th Qatar Economic Forum. Innovation Day served as a dedicated platform featuring a dynamic lineup of expert panels, strategic discussions, and interactive sessions aimed at encouraging collaboration and advancing innovation. Omar Al Ansari, secretary general at QRDI Council, said: 'Innovation Day has become a staple of QRDI Council's efforts to encourage collaboration, spark dialogue, and drive forward Qatar's innovation agenda. This year's event highlighted the critical role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in shaping the future of industries and economies, not just in Qatar but globally. As we reflect on the outcomes of this year's Innovation Day, I am confident that the insights gained, and the partnerships made will play an important role in advancing our shared vision of a sustainable, innovation-driven future.' The Innovation Day began with an opening address by QRDI Council's Secretary General, Omar Al-Ansari, who reflected on last year's discussions surrounding the ethics of innovation, and how these questions remain highly relevant today; setting the tone for conversations that unfolded throughout the day. Throughout his address, he provided a broad perspective on the GCC region, emphasizing that innovation is not merely a concept but an active, operational reality. He highlighted Qatar's strong commitment to advancing innovation, driven by two key national frameworks: the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy. Whilst also outlining the role of the QRDI Council, noting that while the Council does not position itself as the sole hub of innovation, it serves as a strategic enabler and bridge, facilitating progress across sectors. Following a morning filled with engaging discussions and activities, the event transitioned into two breakout sessions: 'AI IRL: From Innovation to Application' and 'The Venture Capital Outlook'. Both sessions saw participants actively engaging in meaningful dialogue, networking opportunities, and the day's initiatives. Key topics included the future of biotech, explored in a conversation with James Flynn, Managing Partner at Deerfield, as well as AI in action, focusing on practical applications of innovation within the GCC region to drive impactful outcomes. Additionally, the future of AI in the region was explored during the session 'Qatar – Realizing AI's Potential Today', highlighting how Qatar's technology leaders are driving growth and connectivity through innovative applications. Innovation Day is a strategic initiative that reflects QRDI Council's dedication to advancing Qatar's National Vision 2030 and its National Development Strategy. By fostering collaboration, promoting advanced research, and exploring transformative technologies like AI and biotech, the event shows Qatar's commitment to building a diversified, knowledge-based economy.
Qatar Tribune
21-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QRDI, Qatar Airways sign pact to accelerate innovation in aviation
QNA Doha Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council and Qatar Airways have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the second day of the Qatar Economic Forum, aimed at accelerating innovation in aviation, transport, and logistics, while enhancing Qatar's global competitiveness in these critical sectors. The agreement was formally signed by Secretary-General of the QRDI Council Omar Al Ansari and Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways Eng. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, marking an important step in fostering impactful collaboration between two of Qatar's leading entities. Commenting on the announcement, Al Ansari said, 'This MoU establishes a strong foundation for Qatar to emerge as a global hub for transformative innovation. Through this collaboration, we aim to attract world-leading partners, accelerate the deployment of high-impact technologies, and elevate national innovation clusters to global prominence, contributing meaningfully to the goals outlined in the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3).' For his part, Al Meer said, 'Qatar Airways Group's has consistently been recognised as an innovation leader, with a strong commitment for redefining the benchmarks of excellence in the aviation industry. This partnership represents a strategic cornerstone in our diverse and vibrant innovation partner ecosystem. It will accelerate our digital transformation, putting us even further ahead of our competition and making us even more synonymous with keeping innovation at the heart of whatever we do at Qatar Airways.' He added that the MoU 'creates a transformative opportunity to contribute towards elevating the nation's position on the global innovation index and firmly establishing Qatar as the preferred global hub of the Aviation Tech industry by providing fertile ground to develop, test and scale innovative next-generation solutions.' The agreement establishes a structured and phased approach to collaboration, focusing on the development of an innovation cluster around the aviation, transport, and logistics sectors. The strategic framework includes transformational innovation, challenge-driven initiatives, and the integration of artificial intelligence and digital innovation as key enablers for future projects. The partnership also aims to ensure strategic alignment with the objectives of Qatar's Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), with a focus on strengthening priority industries, fostering local innovation, and contributing to sustainable economic growth through targeted investments, funding, and innovation policies. The partnership also represents a significant milestone in both organisations' commitment to placing innovation at the core of national development and ultimately aims to elevate Qatar's position in the global innovation index. Having this partnership solidified at the Qatar Economic Forum reinforces its strategic importance and reflects a shared vision to drive Qatar's innovation-led future on a global scale.
