Uggah (fourth right) presenting the Digital Leadership Academy code to Yayasan Sarawak director Azmi Bujang while (from left) Abdul Karim, Dr Rundi, Wong, Fatimah and Talib look on. – Photo by Chimon Upon
Uggah (third right) is briefed by Sabariah (second right) upon his arrival at the forum while accompanied by Wong (right), Fatimah (second left) and Dr Rundi (left). – Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: There is a need for the public and private sectors to become digital leaders to understand the new work culture of the future workforce.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said there’s no denying that cognitive technologies will fundamentally change how people interact with computers in an era where digital technology continues to grow and evolve.
“This wave of change will certainly impact on how we deliver our jobs and make the global economy more competitive.
“Hence, we should intensify our efforts in building competencies and capabilities to solve the challenges and create new industry solutions,” he said in his speech read by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at the opening ceremony of ‘Workforce of the Future: Driving the Digital Economy For Sarawak and Beyond Forum’ held at a leading hotel here today.
He pointed out that in order to become a digital leader, this meant that there would have to be a shift in focus from the “inside-out to outside-in.”
“We would have to be immersive in our approach to engage in diverse conversations; be able to utilise data analysis for better decision-making; and encourage greater collaborations across industries,” he stressed.
In view of this, he noted that the Sarawak Centre of Performance Excellence (Scope) will launch its ‘Digital Leadership Academy’ in collaboration with global management consulting firm Korn Ferry Hay Group in tandem with the Sarawak Digital Economyu Strategy to develop the talent pools within government link corporations and corporate organisations of Sarawak.
Abang Johari also urged small-medium enterprises (SMEs) and individuals to be more agile and open so that they can fully leverage on the facilities being provided to innovate and compete effectively.
“Above all else, we must have a mind-set change and embrace the new digital future.”
On the forum, he said it serves as a good platform for participants to have ‘meta-conversations’ on how to utilise technology to enhance humanity which is very much interwoven in everyone’s work and lives.
Also present at the launch were Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Utilities Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip and Deputy State Secretary Datu Dr Sabariah Putit.
Forum participants listening to Korn Ferry Asia Pacific chief operating officer and global chief marketing officer Michael Distefano delivering his presentation on ‘Leading the Workforce of the Future.’ – Photo by Tan Song Wei