Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) today launched a four-week programme to accelerate digital adoption in business, with a focus on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Created in partnership with PointStar, a technology consultant appointed by MPC and Google Cloud, the programme known as Digital Acceleration for Learning and Industry Adoption (Dalia) aims to drive productivity and digitalisation for organisations in Malaysia by working with local solutions providers.
“Dalia is designed to assist companies that lack knowledge in programming and the ability to internally develop solutions to address productivity challenges within the organisation,” MPC director of technology, productivity and competitiveness development Mohamad Norjayadi Tamam told the media after Dalia’s launch at the inaugural Google Cloud Day 2023 recently.
The programme is open to businesses registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM).
“We are focusing on the productivity of businesses, and we appreciate Pointstar and Google Cloud for providing a solution that is easy for MSMEs to use in their technology transformation,” he said.
Norjayadi said the programme is in line with the Madani Economy goal to make Malaysia more competitive. At the opening address, Country Manager Malaysia Google Cloud Patrick Wee said the platform is offering funding up to US$350,000 (RM1.6 million) in credits for startups to accelerate their generative artificial intelligence (AI) adoption.
He said Google Cloud is providing 10 free generative AI courses for local businesses and consumers to help them understand AI utilisation.
“We want more startups to build new companies in Malaysia, and for startups to build products and services using generative AI,” he said.
The highly-anticipated Google Cloud Day 2023 organised by PointStar, a leader in cloud transformation and digital solutions, was held at Grand Hyatt Hotel The event showcased Google Cloud’s enterprise-grade AI and data solutions for driving business transformation and provided insights into use cases for enhanced productivity.
In collaboration with Google Cloud, the full-day event featured an array of engaging activities, including keynotes, breakout sessions, live solution showcases, and networking opportunities. The event also marked the launch of the Digital Acceleration for Learning and Industry Adoption (DALIA) – A Step-Up Productivity Programme, in partnership with the Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC), a government agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI).
Justin Lee, Chief Executive Officer of PointStar said, “We are thrilled to present Google Cloud Day 2023, an event that showcased innovation in AI and data solutions with a future-driven outlook on its practical applications for organisations of any kind. This event is not just about technology; it’s about empowering businesses to drive transformation and embrace innovation to be future-ready and for unparalleled growth.”
Google Cloud Day 2023 was attended by more than 200 participants. The event emphasised how advanced data analytics, modern cloud-based applications, and artificial intelligence (AI) can be integrated into workflows to solve critical business challenges. Esteemed industry leaders, including Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), PIKOM, TNB, Logitech, Samsung, Kissflow, and JumpCloud participated in sessions discussing topics such as the transformative potential of no-code tools and the future of work.
“The democratisation of software creation is gaining ground within organisations, and by 2024, more than 65% of applications will be developed using low- or no-code tools. In partnership with PointStar, Google Cloud is committed to making application creation accessible to users of all skill levels with tools like Duet AI for AppSheet, which can help organisations free up resources and expertise to be reallocated toward other high-impact tasks and projects,” added Google Cloud’s Patrick Wee.
Google Cloud Day 2023 aligned seamlessly with MPC’s Malaysia Productivity Blueprint, which aims to build a future-ready workforce and drive digitalisation for enhanced productivity. PointStar collaborated with MPC to boost the ongoing DALIA programme, serving as the digital solutions consultant to facilitate the development of applications to address organisations’ workflow and productivity challenges using AppSheet, Google’s no-code development platform.
Zahid Ismail, Deputy Director General of MPC stated, “We extend our heartfelt appreciation to PointStar for their invaluable collaboration with us for the DALIA programme. This partnership exemplifies the significance of fostering strong ties between the private and public sectors, as it brings to light the immense value of knowledge exchange and shared expertise. Google Cloud Day 2023 is a great illustration of the transformative power of technology in fostering growth and productivity for our nation.”
Harnessing the advanced tools and ecosystems developed by Google Cloud and PointStar, MPC aims to enhance productivity in companies across various sectors. The DALIA programme anticipates more than 100 participating companies in 2023, laying the foundation for more impactful solutions-focused initiatives in the future. The programme is open to all SSM-registered companies in Malaysia.
