SHAH ALAM: Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) has been called upon to set up a Quantum Department by next year to ensure the nation keeps pace with technological advancements, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed confidence that many students would be attracted to the immense potential of the quantum field, which could help produce experts in the sector within a decade.
“Artificial intelligence is indeed good and is being implemented very well, but quantum is a new technology based on the latest technological developments. Malaysia should not lag in this area.”
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said his ministry would contribute RM500,000 to UiTM to support Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, including the development of the Quantum Department.
On a separate issue, Ahmad Zahid who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, says Umno has almost completed discussions with a rival party on cooperation in the coming Melaka election.
The Umno president did not name the party but said the coalition remained open to working with Pakatan Harapan.
“The progress of discussions with potential cooperation partners is now 9.5 out of 10. We will now wait for the Election Commission to decide the election date on Oct 17.
“We will then finalise which coalition we will cooperate with,” he said after officiating the Seminar Ilmuwan Islam at UiTM here yesterday.
He added that once the “cooperation partners” were finalised, Barisan’s election machinery would work with the party on the ground, similar to the cooperation seen during the Johor and Negri Sembilan elections.
Asked whether Umno welcomed PAS’ willingness to use the Barisan logo during the Melaka polls, Ahmad Zahid said he had no objection.
“The issue of PAS using the logo has not yet been officially discussed, although I am sure that PAS would be more comfortable using its own party logo,” he said.
