QIONGHAI, Oct 24 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) participated in the Workshop on Practical AI Capacity Building in the Asia-Pacific Region held in Qionghai, Hainan, bringing together policymakers, educators, and industry leaders to discuss regional strategies for artificial intelligence talent development and digital innovation.
Organised under the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) framework and supported by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, the workshop included keynote presentations, panel discussions, and study tours showcasing local achievements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) education and industrial application. Speakers represented a diverse range of institutions across the Asia-Pacific, sharing perspectives on workforce readiness, policy frameworks, and hands-on approaches to nurturing AI competencies.
UTM was represented at the workshop by Dr. Ahmad Fadhil Yusof, Senior Lecturer from the Faculty of Computing, who delivered a keynote titled “Nurturing AI Talent for a Smarter Asia-Pacific: From Innovation to Impact.” The presentation outlined UTM’s strategic efforts to integrate AI into curricula, strengthen industry-academia linkages, and provide experiential learning opportunities for students. Emphasis was placed on practical training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and aligning educational outcomes with evolving industry needs.
Sessions at the event addressed a wide array of themes, including AI-enabled applications in healthcare diagnostic screening, sustainable manufacturing practices, and digital-intelligent approaches to vocational and higher education. Contributors included representatives from Indonesian and Korean agencies, Imperial College London, and leading Chinese research and healthcare institutions. These exchanges highlighted the importance of policy coordination and shared resources to accelerate capacity building across the region.
In addition to seminar activities, participants visited the Hainan College of Software Technology Achievement Exhibition and the China (Hainan) South China Sea Museum, gaining first-hand exposure to regional innovations and historical context informing current technology initiatives. The study tours complemented technical discussions by illustrating how local achievements and institutional partnerships can support broader educational objectives and community engagement.
UTM’s involvement at the workshop underscores the university’s ongoing commitment to regional engagement in AI education and research. By participating in multilateral forums, UTM aims to contribute to collaborative frameworks that prepare a skilled and adaptable workforce for the digital economy. Continued dialogue and cooperative projects with Asia-Pacific partners are expected to enhance curriculum design, research collaboration, and mobility opportunities for students and staff.
Looking ahead, UTM intends to explore joint initiatives arising from the workshop, including capacity-building exchanges, co-developed training modules, and pilot projects that apply AI to address sectoral challenges. The university welcomes opportunities to partner with regional stakeholders to translate shared knowledge into practical outcomes that benefit industry, government, and communities.
