NINE pre-war shophouses in Lebuh Acheh will be converted to be a School of Technology and Future Skills.
Project driver Howie Chang, the co-founder and chief executive officer of Ayuh Bina Sdn Bhd, said the school would serve as an academic centre for machineries, Big Data and artificial intelligence (AI).
“We hope to attract the big players, top-companies such as Alibaba Group and Microsoft Corporation to our school,” Chang told a press conference in Lebuh Acheh today.
Chang said that the project would also incorporate current working elements – co-working, co-learning and co-living – to encourage more people to patronise the academic centre.
“Many people do not fancy working in a ‘conventional’ confined space,” Chang said.
He added that they would be turning some of the units into accommodation for the students and the professionals (tutors).
“The specification by Unesco will be followed during the restoration process, which is scheduled to be completed in October or November this year,” Chang said.
The owner of the nine heritage shophouses is Datuk Seri Yeap Leong Huat; who is the beneficiary of the Yeap Chor Ee Estate.
Yeap said he supported the effort to nurture the young, especially in the field of science and technology.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said the council was striving to make Penang a vibrant and intelligent city.
“We want to retain talents in the state and to provide more opportunities for the younger generation to grow here.
“We will do our level best to improve connectivity and infrastructure for Penang to move forward,” he said.
He added that the council would upgrade the side and back lanes surrounding the nine shophouses.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis