KUALA LUMPUR: The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry has given its assurance that university students will be able to access research and information from government agencies through cloud computing coordination by the given deadline.
Its minister, Chang Lih Kang, said the ministry was compiling related documents before announcing the initiative to all universities.
"We were given two weeks, (and) we are compiling (the related documents). It is there (in our system), but we will compile it and send it to all universities.
"Students also asked about high-performing computing, where we have several centres in the country.
"Hence, we are also compiling the information on high-performing computing and we will send it to all universities so that students know where they can gain access to high-performing computing services," he said after the launch of 2024 International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here today.
On May 10, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tasked the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to coordinate the usage of cloud computing by all ministries and agencies to provide university students access to research and information from government agencies.
Anwar also gave the ministry a two-week deadline to ensure all universities receive the information by May 24.
"I admit that we have some limitations in terms of cloud computing, but our policy is to accelerate its implementation.
"The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, alongside the Digital Ministry and Communications Ministry, will get this in order, with minister Chang coordinating the matter," the prime minister reportedly said.
Chang, in his keynote address at the event earlier, expressed hope for Malaysia to become a high-technology nation by 2030, in line with the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Roadmap 2021-2030.
He said Malaysia also aspired to rank among the top 20 countries in the global startup ecosystem by 2030, positioning Kuala Lumpur as a regional startup and digital hub.
"If we want to achieve this goal, we need to have a lot of science, technology and innovation talent. By having events like ITEX, I am sure we can gain traction, especially among children, as we need to start them young.
"Under the roadmap, the ministry has implemented initiatives to nurture and support startups through ecosystem drivers on funding, talent, innovation, market environment, policies and regulations.
"Hence, by 2030, we will have enough talent to achieve the goal of becoming a high-technology nation."
ITEX, an annual exhibition aimed at cultivating the ability to think critically, saw the participation of researchers from Malaysia and abroad.
The exhibition also demonstrates the country's commitment to harnessing the power of innovation to drive economic growth and societal progress, while presenting opportunities for startups, corporations and research institutions to attract the attention of investors and venture capitalists.