MALAYSIA has once again been chosen to host the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT), after more than 10 years since it took place in Kuala Lumpur in 2008.

And, Penang will get the honour of being the host state for the event from Sept 13 to 16 next year at Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Relau.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government “could not wait” to host the prestigious event.

“To have the Olympic-level conference for IT in Penang means that we get to represent Malaysia on the world stage in technology and this is in line with our efforts to achieve Penang 2030 vision of a family-focused green and smart state.

“We are ready to build collaborations and take on challenges in the advent of technology advancement,” Chow said during the WCIT2020 media launch in Nexus Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur.

In conjunction with WCIT2020, Chow said the state was working alongside National ICT Association of Malaysia (Pikom) to organise an “island-wide technology festival”.

Pikom chairman Ganesh Kumar Bangah said Pikom views the WCIT as a platform to showcase the growing prominence of Malaysia in information technology (IT).

“We want WCIT2020 to position Malaysia as the gateway to Southeast Asia,” he said.

Meanwhile, Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said WCIT2020 is a timely boost to the ministry’s campaign to promote digital economy and ICT as the new drivers of development.

“It is crucial to engage the private sector as they are the main drivers of innovation.

“WCIT2020’s theme of ‘Connecting the World with The Promise of Technology for a Better World’ expresses a need for us to keep pace with the evolving economic landscape, driven in part by technology, economic growth and business transformation,” he said.

WCIT is the largest and most reputable international event among worldwide IT leaders which is also a signature event of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) since 1978.

WCIT is expected to attract the participation of over 4,000 visionaries, captains of industry, government leaders and academics that span across more than 80 countries.

For further details, visit www.wcit2020.org

Source: The Star Online

Photo Credit: The Star