Countdown to WCIT 2022 has started: Pikom

• Some 4,000 delegates from over 80 countries to attend
• Speakers from Google, NASA, Oxford University, et al

Malaysia is 88 days away in welcoming international and local delegates to WCIT 2022 Malaysia, which is billed as the biggest tech event in Malaysia, and possibly in Asia.

In a statement, the national ICT association Pikom said WCIT 2022 is expected to receive 4,000 delegates from more than 80 countries this September.

Pikom’s chairman Sean Seah said within a few months the association was able to secure more than 50 partners, with more coming on board in the coming months to ensure it presents the biggest and most successful tech event in Malaysia this September. 

“This could not have been possible if not for the support from the Penang State Government, Penang Lead Agencies, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and HRD Corp,” he said.

Dubbed as the 'Olympics of the World’s Information Technology Industry,' the theme for this year's WCIT 2022 is 'Connecting and Transforming the World.'

Some of the leading speakers at the event include: the co-father of the Internet and Google’s chief internet evangelist, Vint Cerf; NASA’s chief financial officer, Douglas Comstock; CNN business correspondent, Richard Quest.

Other include the president of Portulans Institute, chair of Global Business School Network, and dean at the Said Business School at Oxford University, Dr. Soumitra Dutta; founder of the International Women in Cyber Security Foundation, Mary-Jo de Leeuw; and strategic futurist and author, Nancy Giordano.

"We are just getting started and we would like to work with all the Malaysian state governments to participate in WCIT 2022,” Seah said. 

He added that WCIT 2022 will include a Digital Ecosystems Excursion programme, where WCIT 2022 delegates will be encouraged to visit all the Malaysia states after Sept 15, as a boost to the tourism sector and to attract foreign investment into the states.

Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said, “We are ready to welcome 4,000 delegates to Penang in the next 88 days.

“WCIT 2022 taking place in Penang will be a magnificent opportunity for Malaysia to welcome influential global tech industry leaders and investors to our beautiful country, which is rich in cultural diversity, modern in lifestyle and uniquely located in the central hub of Asia,” he added.

The Countdown to WCIT 2022 Malaysia ceremony included recognising some of the 50 partners and sponsors from the industry and industry associations.

It also includes special travel deals for delegates of WCIT 2022 from Malaysia Airlines and FireFly, Pikom said.

Delegates who travel via Malaysia Airlines will enjoy a 25% discount on air-tickets purchased during the MH Early Bird Promotion from June 17 to July 8, and a 20% discount on air-tickets purchased from July 9 to Sept 10.

The traveling period for both discounts will be from Sept 5 to Sept 23.

Apart from WCIT 2022, TechFest Penang will also be taking place from Sept 8 to Sept 18, which is open to the public.

The festival will be an experiential journey focusing on the need of technology to better lives and how it is used daily to enhance and improve business needs and modernise lifestyles, Pikom said.