World-Class Speakers to Grace The Podium At WCIT2022

WORLD-CLASS SPEAKERS TO GRACE THE PODIUM AT WCIT 2022

The organisers of the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) 2022, which will be held in Penang on September 2022, recently unveiled their rst batch of con rmed speakers.

At the press conference, YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang, said Malaysia received the baton from former host Bangladesh in November last year, and is in the midst of putting in place plans for Penang to host the international event.

“It is now our turn to shine. We are eight months away from the most anticipated event of the year and, as we count down towards the event, each month, week and day is becoming increasingly critical,” he said.

The WCIT2022, fondly known as the Olympics of the World’s Information Technology Industry, is themed ‘Connecting and Transforming the World’. State investment arm, InvestPenang is the lead agency for the event.

“We are delighted to announce that we have a stellar list of international speakers that will be headlining WCIT2022. These are the rst batch of speakers that we have con rmed. We are expecting to con rm many more prominent, expert and world-renowned speakers in the coming weeks,” Chow said.

Among them are: • Nancy Giordano, strategic futurist, Founder of PlayBig Inc and Author of LeaderING: The Ways Visionary Leaders Play Bigger;

• Mary-jo de Leeuw, one of Europe’s 20 In uential Women in Tech 2021 and Founder of International Women in Cyber Security Foundation; • Dr Soumitra Dutta, Dean Elect of Said Business School, Oxford University, Former Founding Dean of Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, President of Portulans Institute and the co-author of the Network Readiness Index; • Douglas Comstock, Deputy CFO for Agency Budget, Strategy and Performance at NASA; • Gina Romero, CEO of Connected Women, a social enterprise impacting 100,000 women;

• Dr William Magee, Founder of Operation Smile that seeks to improve the lives of many underprivileged children.

Chow was speaking at a press conference after chairing the WCIT2022 Steering Committee meeting. Also present at the press conference were State Secretary Datuk Dr Ahmad Jailani Muhamed Yunus, InvestPenang Chief Executive O cer Datuk Loo Lee Lian and National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM) Chairman Dr Sean Seah, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA).

Chow added that WCIT2022 will also include local speakers from both the tech and non-tech worlds. Many of them are household names, tech unicorns and established business leaders, he said.

Fusionex, a locally-based global technology solutions provider, will be the technology partner for WCIT2022.

“Fusionex will roll out the online platform and conference app. It will also be handling the live streaming for WCIT 2022. With their past credentials of successfully rolling out the PIKOM Virtual Engagement Platform (VEP) and the WITSA Global Business Exchange (GBX), I am con dent that they are the ideal partner for WCIT2022.

“In light of this, I am optimistic that WCIT2022 will be a huge success for Penang and Malaysia,” he added.

Meanwhile, PIKOM chairman Dr Sean Seah said that WCIT2022 promises a power-packed three-day event.

“It will bring together a unique network of senior business executives, ICT industry leaders, government o cials and internationally-recognised institutions. It will showcase the future of technology across various sectors some of which include education, health and lifestyle, food, ntech, cybersecurity, smart cities, spacetech, agriculture and entrepreneurship. It will feature an exhibition, networking events, WITSA’s Awards Gala and much more.”

After the announcement, Chow received a crystal plaque from Dr Sean Seah, symbolically representing the handover to Malaysia as the next host country for the WCIT.

Cheah Kok Hoong, the Organising Chair of WCIT2022 promised the rolling-out of marketing plans via roadshows, engaging with heads of the various sectors and industry partners in the coming few weeks.

“We aim to deliver an exceptional experience for everyone in WCIT2022.”

WCIT 2022 Malaysia is targeting more than 4,500 visionaries, captains of industry, government leaders and academics that span across over 80 countries.

For more information on WCIT2022, delegate registration, sponsorship opportunities and exhibitor inquiries, visit www. wcit2022.com.