Innovation the key to success

Reading about Cheok Lay Leng's call to engineers that "Innovation the key to success" alarms me.

What is the definition of success? Is it purely monetory?

What is the purpose of being an engineer? Creating wealth?

Hummmmmm.....

The Star Online > Nation

Monday July 11, 2005
Innovation the key to success

PENANG: Malaysian engineers have to move forward with high technology in order to establish more start-up companies.

According to ProSem Technology Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Cheok Lay Leng, it is generally perceived that forming start-ups meant tapping for business opportunities from multinational corporations.

“In high technology start-ups, we are talking about creating products that can compete in the global market.

Cheok: Says there are too few engineers willing to do research and development.

“They can be originals or enhancements of existing products,” he said, citing the example of Apple Computer Inc's iPod music players that have become lifestyle products.

He added that Penang, in particular, had over 30 years of manufacturing experience but was not successful in generating local start-ups.

“Among the key issues are too few engineers willing to do research and development and lack of funding and resources,” said Cheok, who will be sharing his views and experience at the Innovation Initiative (i2) Project seminar here on Thursday.

The subject of his talk is Technopreneurship in High Technology: The Way Forward in Malaysia.

A computer engineer with 18 years' experience in semiconductor and electronics companies, Cheok left Intel Corp in February to start ProSem, a semiconductor company here.

He is also president of Flexcomm Technology (Shenzhen) Ltd and is planning the expansion of its operations to Penang.

The i2 Project seminar will be held from 9am to 4.30pm at Auditorium 1, Kompleks Eureka, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Other speakers at the seminar are Usains Holding Sdn Bhd group managing director Datuk Dr Gan Ee Kiang, AKN Technology Bhd group chief executive officer Ooi Boon Leong and Hovid Bhd managing director David Ho.

The i2 Project was initiated by the MCA and Star Publications (M) Bhd on May 5 to create a small pool of successful Malaysian technopreneurs. Star Publications, which has allocated RM5mil for the project, and iSpring Capital are spearheading the project.

Those interested in attending the i2 talk – themed Targeting the Global Market – can register by calling The Star at 04-647 3388 ext 3122 from 9.30am to 5pm on weekdays.

For more information on the i2 Project, visit i2.net.my.

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