Penang’s new research centre targeting RM8.5bil investments, growth of 12 SMEs
THE Advanced Packaging Institute and Research Centre (APIRC) in Penang aims to attract RM8.5bil in new investments and help develop 12 local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the advanced packaging sector by 2030.
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said APIRC was part of the newly launched NCER Technology Innovation Centre (NTIC) that was set up to help Malaysia move into higher-value work in the semiconductor industry.
He said it would create more skilled jobs and business opportunities in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).
Akmal Nasrullah said APIRC would focus on advanced packaging, from design to prototyping, as the field became increasingly important in the global semiconductor industry.
“Every investment must create a multiplier effect by generating high-value jobs, strengthening training and upskilling, increasing productivity and building more competitive local companies,” he said after opening the NTIC.
Malaysia’s challenge, he said, was no longer whether it could take part in the global supply chain, but how quickly it could move into higher-value work.
This included integrated circuit design, system design, advanced packaging, automation, equipment manufacturing, research and development as well as prototyping and commercialisation.
Akmal Nasrullah said Malaysia has built a strong name in the semiconductor industry over the past five decades, especially in assembly, testing and packaging.
APIRC, he added, was led by the private sector through Silicon Connect, with support from centre of excellence providers such as Cedec, Tessolve, Global Electronics Association, ECTrons and Steerix.
The Northern Corridor Imple- mentation Authority (NCIA) is the strategic partner and facilitator.
NCIA chief executive Datuk Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan said NTIC has helped create more than 5,000 quality jobs and trained more than 1,400 highly skilled workers since 2023.
He said NTIC has appointed 25 centres of excellence, strengthened the value chains of 68 local companies and helped create 16 intellectual property assets across the Northern Corridor.
Mohamad Haris said NTIC encouraged the use of Industry 4.0 technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics, integrated circuit design, systems engineering and other emerging technologies.
He said the centre linked technology talent, investment opportunities and innovation.
Five programmes are offered at NTIC: Industry-Driven Technology Module, Industry Competency Fast-Track Programme, Advanced Technology Master Programme, Technology and Innovation Programme and Centres of Excellence initiative.
“NCIA offers a complete ecosystem comprising world-class talent, strong industrial networks, growing technological capabilities, research expertise and government support.
“We want the Northern Corridor to be not only a user of technology, but a creator of technology, innovation and world-class talent capable of competing globally,” said Mohamad Haris.
Present at the launch were Penang trade and national unity committee chairman Goh Choon Aik, Penang Deputy State Secretary (Development) Mohamed Abdul Rahman and Economy Ministry Regional Development Division director Datuk Mariam Ilias.
