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  • Malaysia Launches Industry-Focused Mechatronics Tracks to Drive Industry 4.0 Transformation

    Malaysia Launches Industry-Focused Mechatronics Tracks to Drive Industry 4.0 Transformation

    Taylor’s University Pioneers Malaysia’s First Mechatronics Engineering Degree with Specialised Tracks in Robotics and AI. Taylor’s University has once again solidified its reputation as a leader in innovative education with the launch of Malaysia’s first Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering with Honours to offer specialised tracks in Robotics Systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This groundbreaking four-year programme represents a major step forward in preparing a new generation of engineers to drive Malaysia’s Industry 4.0 transformation.

    Blending mechanical engineering, electronics, robotics, and AI, the multidisciplinary programme is aligned with Malaysia’s National Policy on Industry 4.0, which prioritises technological advancements across 12 key sectors. The course is designed to equip students with the skills needed to innovate in fast-evolving industries such as healthcare, automotive, manufacturing, and aerospace—all of which are undergoing rapid transformation through automation and intelligent systems.

    “With the global Mechatronics market expected to reach USD 2.25 billion by 2031, this programme doesn’t just prepare our students to fill roles—it positions them to lead the future of engineering,” said Professor Ts Dr Sim Yee Wai, Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Innovation & Technology. “Taylor’s University is placing students at the forefront of Industry 4.0 by offering an education grounded in both current industry demands and future technologies.”

    The programme is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Council, making graduates eligible for registration with the Board of Engineers Malaysia, which is a signatory to the Washington Accord. This ensures that graduates meet internationally recognised standards and are able to pursue careers as Professional Engineers both locally and abroad.

    Ir Dr Phang Swee King, Programme Director from Taylor’s School of Engineering, explained, “Our goal is not just to produce job-ready engineers, but future shapers. Through a curriculum that combines critical thinking, innovation, and hands-on learning, we are cultivating graduates who will drive robotics, automation, and AI forward—not simply adapt to it.”

    What truly sets this programme apart is its real-world integration with industry. Through strategic partnerships with global tech leaders such as DJI Academy Malaysia and Unitree Robotics, students benefit from early exposure to state-of-the-art technology via Taylor’s in-house Engineering Undergraduates for Industrial Adoption (EUFORIA) and EUFORIA Type-Research (R) programmes. These collaborations allow students to begin working on industry projects as early as Year 2, gaining vital experience and employable skills long before graduation.

    “At DJI Academy Malaysia, this collaboration marks our first academic partnership, and we see tremendous potential in shaping future-ready engineers together,” said Darren Teh, General Manager of DJI Academy Malaysia. “We are excited to co-develop talent that will innovate global solutions in robotics and automation.”

    Students also engage in multidisciplinary group projects and hands-on initiatives via the university’s Robotics Club, further enhancing their practical capabilities. For those seeking an international academic edge, Taylor’s offers a fast-tracked 2+2 Master’s Pathway with the University of Birmingham in the UK—enabling students to earn both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mechatronics & Robotic Engineering.

    Recognised among the top 450 global universities for Engineering & Technology in the QS World University Rankings 2025, Taylor’s University continues to raise the bar in education innovation. With the launch of this pioneering programme, the institution reinforces its commitment to shaping Malaysia’s digital and industrial future—developing engineers who are not only industry-ready but globally competitive.

  • Enginemailer Expands Reach with Availability on Microsoft Azure Marketplace

    Enginemailer Expands Reach with Availability on Microsoft Azure Marketplace

    Enginemailer, a comprehensive email marketing and transactional email platform, has officially launched in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace—marking a significant milestone in its mission to provide scalable, cloud-based marketing solutions to businesses worldwide. With this new listing, organizations can now seamlessly integrate Enginemailer’s robust suite of tools into their existing Azure ecosystem, enabling more efficient deployment, streamlined management, and enhanced operational productivity.

    Designed to simplify email marketing and automation, Enginemailer empowers businesses to craft personalized campaigns and manage transactional emails with ease, all while ensuring enterprise-grade performance. By joining the Azure Marketplace, Enginemailer offers customers a trusted and secure environment to optimize their outreach strategies and elevate engagement across digital channels. The platform is particularly well-suited for businesses looking to scale their marketing efforts without compromising on efficiency or reliability.

    “At Enginemailer, our mission has always been to simplify email marketing and automation while delivering enterprise-level performance,” said Jeffri Shahul Hamid, Founder of Enginemailer. “Our presence in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace underscores our commitment to offering efficient, cloud-based marketing solutions that empower businesses globally.”

    Microsoft also welcomed the addition, with Jake Zborowski, General Manager of the Microsoft Azure Platform, noting, “Microsoft Azure Marketplace welcomes Enginemailer, which joins a cloud marketplace landscape offering flexibility and economic value while transacting tens of billions of dollars a year in revenues. Thanks to Azure Marketplace and partners like Enginemailer, customers can do more with less by increasing efficiency, buying confidently, and spending smarter.”

    The Azure Marketplace is a trusted online platform that connects organizations with certified cloud applications and services. Enginemailer’s inclusion in this ecosystem enhances its accessibility for a broad range of Azure users and aligns with its commitment to delivering innovative, scalable solutions tailored to modern business needs.

  • Canon Honoured with Selangor–Japan Investor Appreciation Award at Expo 2025 Osaka

    Canon Honoured with Selangor–Japan Investor Appreciation Award at Expo 2025 Osaka

    Canon, a global leader in imaging and innovation, has been honoured with the prestigious Selangor–Japan Investor Appreciation Award at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Presented by His Royal Highness The Crown Prince of Selangor, the award recognises Canon’s longstanding contribution to Selangor’s economic development and its unwavering dedication to strengthening Malaysia–Japan relations. Since establishing its presence in Malaysia in the 1980s, Canon has become a cornerstone of industrial and technological growth in Selangor through its network of group companies, including Canon Marketing, Canon Machinery, Canon Medical, Canon Opto, Canon MailCom, and Canon Electronics Malaysia. These companies have played a vital role in creating jobs, facilitating technology transfer, and driving community engagement—all while upholding Canon’s global values of innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility.

    Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Mr. Hideki Ozawa, Executive Vice President of Canon Inc. and Chief Representative of Canon Asia Group, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to Malaysian society. “Guided by our Kyosei philosophy of living and working together for the common good, Canon remains devoted not only to business excellence but to partnerships and sustainability efforts that benefit the community,” he said.

    Canon’s impact in Selangor extends beyond corporate performance. The company has championed various environmental and social initiatives, notably the One Canon One Tree campaign, launched in 2016. This tree-planting initiative, which began in Selangor, expanded nationally in 2023 and has resulted in over 9,000 trees planted across Malaysia, including a recent effort at Paya Indah Wetlands in Dengkil. Canon also places strong emphasis on environmental education. In partnership with the Department of Environment Selangor, Canon introduced a children’s environmental activity book titled A Kid’s Guide to Save Planet Earth, created with renowned Malaysian author and illustrator Nor Azhar Ishak, to promote eco-awareness among primary school students.

    Canon Marketing Malaysia, the brand’s main sales and marketing entity in the country, has also earned recognition for its corporate social responsibility, winning the Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards for seven consecutive years. This consistent acknowledgment highlights Canon’s deep-rooted dedication to sustainability and meaningful social impact through long-term CSR initiatives.

    The Selangor–Japan Investor Appreciation Award at Expo 2025 Osaka not only celebrates Canon’s corporate achievements but also underscores its lasting contribution to Malaysia’s growth and environmental stewardship. The award reinforces Canon’s mission to create positive, enduring value in the communities it serves.

  • ICAEW ASEAN Connect 2025 Highlights Malaysia’s Leadership in ASEAN’s Economic and Professional Integration

    ICAEW ASEAN Connect 2025 Highlights Malaysia’s Leadership in ASEAN’s Economic and Professional Integration

    ICAEW ASEAN Connect 2025 Showcases Malaysia’s Leadership in Regional Economic and Professional Integration. In a major demonstration of Malaysia’s leadership as the 2025 ASEAN Chair, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Malaysia hosted the inaugural ASEAN Connect 2025 forum at London’s historic Chartered Accountants’ Hall. This landmark event brought together ICAEW members from across ASEAN and the UK, reinforcing a commitment to deeper regional cooperation and aligning Southeast Asia’s professional and economic aspirations with global standards. The forum underscored the accountancy profession’s crucial role in enabling ASEAN’s economic integration, with chartered accountants providing the robust financial reporting and governance frameworks necessary to support cross-border trade and investment.

    Officiated by His Excellency Dato’ Zakri Jaafar, Malaysia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, the event drew representatives from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and ASEAN professionals based in the UK. Discussions focused on how finance and accounting professionals can collaborate to promote sustainable economic growth and workforce mobility in the region. The evening also celebrated academic excellence through the ICAEW World Prizegiving Ceremony, which honoured high-achieving Malaysian students, further highlighting the global mobility and strength of the Associate Chartered Accountant qualification.

    ICAEW Malaysia’s efforts reflect a long-term vision to develop a globally recognized accounting talent pool while ensuring national practices align with international standards. Through partnerships with regulators, universities, and its Malaysian chapter, ICAEW is fostering a professional ecosystem ready to meet ASEAN’s growing demands. Shenola Gonzales, Head of ICAEW Malaysia, emphasized that ASEAN Connect 2025 represents a bridge between ASEAN’s vibrant economies and ICAEW’s global professional heritage, reinforcing Malaysia’s strategic role in driving regional collaboration and economic resilience.

    Further bolstering its leadership under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, ICAEW has also made influential contributions to regional policy. Earlier this year, ICAEW Chief Executive Alan Vallance addressed the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum—marking the Institute’s first appearance at this high-level platform—and led the region’s first workshop on Scope 3 emissions reporting. These initiatives aim to enhance ESG transparency and consistency, aligning ASEAN’s financial systems with global expectations for sustainability and accountability.

    ICAEW’s active role in convening regulatory roundtables, policy dialogues, and capacity-building workshops is significantly shaping ASEAN’s economic framework. The success of ASEAN Connect 2025 highlights the shared commitment of Southeast Asian nations to build a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable economic community. With Malaysia at the forefront, the event reaffirmed the bloc’s readiness to thrive on the global stage through professional excellence and cross-border collaboration.

  • Pullman Responds to a Changing World with the Launch of an Insightful Series Featuring Global Thought Leaders

    Pullman Responds to a Changing World with the Launch of an Insightful Series Featuring Global Thought Leaders

    Pullman Launches Trans-formative Series Celebrating Global Visionaries and Cultural Exchange. Pullman Hotels & Resorts, a trailblazing brand under Accor, has unveiled two bold new initiatives—Pullman Drafts and Pullman Voices—aimed at fostering cultural dialogue, sparking intellectual curiosity, and re-imagining how we experience ideas in a rapidly evolving world. These platforms are a modern continuation of Pullman’s 160-year legacy of innovation and transformation, beginning with George Pullman’s revolutionary approach to hospitality and continuing today with a dynamic focus on cultural collisions and progressive thought.

    Pullman Drafts, created in collaboration with the House of Beautiful Business, presents a collection of thought-provoking essays and articles authored by a diverse group of global thought leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs. The series is designed to challenge assumptions, embrace contradictions, and serve as a starting point for meaningful reflection. Writers and contributors include next-gen entrepreneur Akbar Hamid, neuroscientist Hannah Critchlow, and TED curator Bruno Giussani, among others. These narratives delve into topics such as identity, productivity, creativity, and cultural reinvention, reflecting Pullman’s commitment to perspective-shifting storytelling.

    In parallel, Pullman Voices brings these ideas into an auditory format through a compelling 12-episode podcast series co-created with Monocle. The podcast features deep conversations with influential voices from across industries—including Carsten Spohr of Lufthansa Group, psychologist Daniel Goleman, and philosopher Djamila Ribeiro—offering insights into innovation, sustainability, and the evolving nature of work and society. With each episode, Pullman expands the conversation, promoting deeper connections and co-creating the cultural narratives that will shape the future.

    According to Benoît Racle, Global President of Premium Brands at Accor, “Pullman Drafts and Pullman Voices are not just creative initiatives—they’re expressions of our brand DNA. By embracing bold ideas and visionary voices, we are building spaces where minds collide and culture moves forward.” These platforms exemplify Pullman’s ambition to be more than a hotel brand—acting instead as a global catalyst for conversation, imagination, and shared progress.

    Both series are now live, with Pullman Drafts accessible at pullman-happenings.com and Pullman Voices available on Monocle Radio. Through these creative expressions, Pullman is redefining what it means to travel, connect, and think in today’s dynamic world.