Malaysia Youth Empowering Summit was conducted on the 5th of October 2019 in Dewan Utama, Engineering Campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). There were around 500 participants who participated in the event. We had 4 panel sessions and 3 keynote sessions. Numerous speakers from various backgrounds were invited to speak on several specified topics.

Students from many other universities such as UM, UTP, UPM, MMU, UTAR, UUM, UMP, WOU and many others were also invited. The fourth session of the day was on “Malaysia, a World-Leading Aerospace Country”. The speakers were, Mr. Raymond Lim, Mr. Naguib Mohd Nor, Mr. Kamarul A. Muhamed, Datuk Zulkarnain Mohamed. They are respected figures with aerospace engineering related backgrounds.

Mr. Raymond Lim is experienced in multi-cultural and multi-national working environment with thirty years in airline operations, international air transport relations and Airbus customer services. He thrives on both challenges and results.

Mr. Naguib Mohd Nor, CEO of Strand Aerospace Malaysia (SAM) was able to grow from 5 to more than 130 Engineers (as of 2013) and is now successfully recognised as the leading Aerospace Engineering Services provider in Malaysia. The exponential growth of the company was facilitated by non other than Mr. Naguib Mohd Nor.

Next, Mr. Kamarul A. Muhamed is the founder and CEO of Aerodyne Group who came to instil creative and inventive thinking in the students. He had received numerous awards for his achievements and has set the perfect role model for the participants who participated. Mr. Kamarul is a thinker and futurist with deep passionate interest in technology and human resource development and how it will impact the next generation.

Lastly, Datuk Zulkarnain Mohamed, Senior Director of Operations for Spirit Aerosystems Malaysia. His achievements and contributions to the aerospace industry are extremely valuable, from his work at Composites Technology Research Malaysia and the Eagle Aircraft Program among others.

During the discussion, they discussed on how Malaysia is looking to increase overseas investments in aerospace industry, with the government pushing for more partnerships between local companies and international aerospace suppliers at the 53rd International Air Paris Show (IPAS) 2019. Malaysia, is also aiming to become the region’s leading aerospace nation by 2030, it has been seen a solid growth momentum in the industry over the last five years with the country’s exports of aerospace parts and components recording an increase of 20.7% to RM8.48 billion in 2018.

“Malaysia is now home to more than 230 aerospace companies and the numbers keep growing. This is a catalyst to a vibrant local ecosystem, and a strong world demand for Malaysian products or services means the growth of the Malaysian companies can be accelerated.”

The speakers also discussed on the need of promoting the capabilities of Aerospace Sector to the world through the leadership of the International Trade and Industry Ministry, Matrade, National Aerospace Industry Coordinating Office and Malaysia Investment Development Authority. These organisations should join forces to develop the industry and integrate the local players in the global supply chain.

The speakers also spoke on the behaviour of a hireable employee. They also said that the ability to adapt with fast technology and persistence will bring one far in life. The session came to an end after many questions were attended from the floor. Students from other universities were also engaging well with the speakers.

Text / Photo : Shawn Chai Rong Xing, MYES 2019 Event Director, MPP and 3rd Year USM Aerospace Engineering Student