After years of anticipation, the World Congress on Innovation and Technology (WCIT) 2022, was finally launched in Penang, Malaysia on Tuesday 13 Sept.
Tuesday’s Opening Ceremony commenced with one of the world’s largest innovation and technology summits. The three-day congress kicked off with an event-filled programme with over 4,000 registered participants, more than 200 speakers, industry visionaries, government officials, captains of industry, innovators, entrepreneurs, academicians and media from over 60 countries. The congress also featured more than 500 technology brands, occupying an exhibition space exceeding 6,500-square-metres.
WITSA’s 26th Edition of the WCIT was officiated by Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, Governor of Penang; Ismail Sabri, Prime Minister of Malaysia; and Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang.
Dr Sean Seah, Chairman of PIKOM and Organizing Chairman of WCIT 2022, said, “This highly complex congress serves as a testament to the dynamic nature of WCIT, with multiple global stakeholders coming together to make this edition a resounding success. Malaysia hosting WCIT 2022 is both timely and opportune as we undergo economic recovery, pushing boundaries towards aggressive digitalisation. We are proud to welcome the world to experience and enjoy Malaysian hospitality through technology, innovation and our beautiful culture.”
Chow expects WCIT22 to spur thedevelopment of Penang. “The Silicon Island is home to 39 Fortune 1000 companies, 300 Multinational Corporations and over 1000 thriving tech startups. 2022 is a year of celebration for Penang as we enter our 50th anniversary of industrialisation. With the tagline ‘50 Years of Excellence and Beyond’, the state government of Penang strives to enhance its resilient ecosystem capable of stimulating the advancement of strategic industries for the next 50 years, ensuring Penang’s continued contribution on the global technology map,” Chow said.
Leading speakers at the conference included the Co-Father of the Internet and Google’s Chief Internet Evangelist, Dr Vint Cerf; NASA’s Daniel Lockney; Hock Tan, CEO of Broadcom Inc; Jamaluddin Ibrahim, Chairman of Prasarana Malaysia; Dr. Soumitra Dutta, President of Portulans Institute, Chair of Global Business School Network, and Dean at the Said Business School at Oxford University; Lucas Lu, Head of Asia Zoom; Audrey Plonk, Head of Digital Economy Policy Division at OECD; and Strategic Futurist and author, Nancy Giordano.
The three-day congress presents four stages that involves business forums, roundtable discussions, interactive panels and keynote speakers, centred around topics such as new innovative technology, NFTs, Smart City development, SpaceTech, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, 5G, EduTech, Blockchain, HealthTech, E-Commerce and the furtherance of ASEAN’s economic growth post-pandemic.
In conjunction with WCIT 2022, PIKOM will also set a national record with the debut of a 688-light and music drone show. Proudly produced by homegrown company, Drone Sifu, the performance will serve as a thrilling entertainment experience for the public to enjoy from the shores of the island and mainland Penang followed by a fireworks display counting down to Malaysia Day. PIKOM is expecting 100,000 spectators to witness the aerial display with the Penang Port Cruise Terminal being the prime spot to view the spectacle on 15 September at 10.30 pm.
“We are extremely appreciative of the support provided by the Governor of Penang, Chief Minister of Penang, Penang lead agencies, our industry partners, MDEC and HDRD Corp as our strategic partners and everyone involved in making WCIT 2022 a grand success,” concluded Sean.
Discussion about this post