‘Embrace digital economy’
PARADIGM SHIFT: Varsities need to unlock culture of innovation, face technology head-on, says sultan
UNIVERSITIES must play an active role in the local digital economy and as a source of innovation and intellectual property.
Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah said universities must provide sufficient knowledge for the future workforce, who must be willing to innovate.
“The role of universities is paramount in leading digital transformation, by presenting a vast amount of knowledge and intellectual property.
“Universities need to unlock the culture of innovation and face technology (head-on) in order to remain relevant,” he said at Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah’s (Usas) 9th convocation at Dewan Jubli Perak here yesterday.
Present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Usas Vice-Chancellor Tan Sri Dr Nordin Kardi.
Sultan Nazrin, who is Usas chancellor, said e-commerce companies, such as Alibaba of China and
Amazon of the United States, were the best examples of the big role played by the Internet in the digital economy.
“Both companies are like magnets that pull millions of people to engage in economic activities.”
Sultan Nazrin said universities must also prepare their students to be more resilient in facing the world, which had been changed by technology.
“Universities need to make a paradigm shift from being merely an institution, to being an active and
important participant in the digital ecosystem.
“This requires a mindset of collaboration and openness, so that universities can help reinvent the future, acting not only as supporters, but the originators of theories and new technology.”
Sultan Nazrin said the increasing trend in Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) had also made the learning process easily accessible.
“MOOCs should be merged with the traditional way of delivering knowledge, so that a new, contemporary
education method can be successfully formulated.”
Sultan Nazrin presented scrolls to 492 Diploma graduates.
Muhammad Al-Hafidz Jaaztar, who received the Royal Award, said he had been interested in the Arabic language since he was in primary school.
“Arabic is a beautiful language. I have never regretted choosing this path,” said the 22-year-old Diploma in Arabic Language and Literature graduate, who dreams to be a translator in the future.