TECH Dome Penang (TDP), together with Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC), are officially part of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ)’s redevelopment plans of its commercial area.
TDP chief executive officer Dr Khong Yoon Loong said TDP would help with the development of maritime theme science centre with a floor area of approximately 20,000sq ft while PSDC would be a consultant for the setting up of the maritime college.
“On top of bringing life to the commercial area, the science centre will follow the successful model of Tech Dome Penang in engaging the community via STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programmes and events.
“Since TDP started three years ago, it has run numerous STEM-related programmes, events and workshops reaching out to almost 500,000 students and visitors,” Khong said in his statement today.
The MOU signing ceremony took place recently at PKFZ headquarters in Port Klang, Selangor and was witnessed by Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Loke also announced that Port Klang Authority (PKA) would be redeveloping PKFZ with its 1,000 acres of industrial and commercial facilities under its transformation masterplan comprising a 950-acre industrial zone and 50-acre commercial building.
PKFZ chairman Chan Leng Wai said the commercial zone would be rebranded and transformed into a vibrant regional hub.
“This will include education, lifestyle and hospitality features where a maritime logistics academy and a maritime science discovery centre would be launched as the first phase and supported with a hotel and retail outlets in the commercial zone,” he said.
According to Khong, the inclusion of Tech Dome Penang to this redevelopment project is another feather in TDP’s cap.
“This is not the first foray of TDP outside Penang as it was invited and successfully set up the Mini Science and Technology Discovery Centre at AEON Mall in Nilai, Negri Sembilan earlier this year.
“Thus, it is indeed impressive for a young institution barely three years old to gain these recognitions and bring Penang to the world,” he added.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix courtesy of Tech Dome Penang