The Expert Interview Series
Ts Kwang Ming Ng, CEO of Digital Penang
Welcome to our very first Expert Interview Series! We have interviewed several experts, CEOs, and industry professionals of major Malaysian companies, who are also UNIMY's Board of Governors. In this series, they will be sharing their their insights on the current state of technological evolution within the country, their journey, and their experience.
First, we have the venerable Ts Kwang Ming Ng, CEO of Digital Penang, who shared his journey from a curious young engineer to a leading figure in Malaysia’s digital transformation. With degrees from UC Berkeley and Stanford University, Ts Kwang Ming Ng's career includes pivotal roles at MIMOS, IBM and Motorola, where he shaped critical technological advancements.
Ts Kwang Ming Ng's fascination with how things work led him to study engineering, initially exploring the mechanical and electrical fields. However, it was during the personal computing boom of the late 80's and early 90's, that he truly immersed himself in computing, programming and integrated circuit (IC) design.
His time at IBM, focused on robust telecom applications, and later at MIMOS, he contributed to national development projects, broadening his understanding of technology's potential to impact society and government.
When asked about the technologies that excite him most, Ts Kwang Ming Ng highlighted the cyclical nature of technological trends. Currently, he is most intrigued by artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI. He emphasised that while many fear job displacement, technology is a powerful tool, that, when mastered, can open new career opportunities and drive personal growth. Ts Kwang Ming Ng's message is clear: Embracing and adapting to these tools is essential for thriving in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
His Day as a CEO and Views for the Future
As the CEO of Digital Penang, Ts Kwang Ming Ng's typical day involves staying up-to-date with the latest in technology and business news, preparing for meetings with teams and partners, and monitoring political developments that might impact Penang’s digital initiatives.
Under his leadership, Digital Penang is dedicated to promoting digital literacy, driving digital adoption among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and creating a vibrant technology startup ecosystem in the state.
Ts Kwang Ming Ng is particularly excited for the future of UNIMY graduates. As part of UNIMY's Board of Governors, he wants to make sure that UNIMY is a place where the technology hungry and curious, like he was, can strive and achieve their full potential.
When asked about the potential of UNIMY's students participating in internships, research projects, and more at Digital Penang, he responded with a resounding "Yes!" He also graciously extended an invitation to students interested in technology, encouraging them to explore internship and research opportunities at Digital Penang.
Ts Kwang Ming Ng made sure to emphasise the importance of cultivating a digitally engaged society, and is working towards building a resilient digital infrastructure that empowers all of Penang’s communities. This is his commitment for all future Malaysian techies out there, and one that we, as an institution, is very excited to witness.
Edited by Joash Pandita
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