H.E. Maria Castillo Fernandez

Maria Castillo Fernandez is an European diplomat/official of Spanish nationality, now Ambassador, Head of Delegation of the EU to Malaysia.

Previously she was Head of Division for India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, since September 2012 at the European External Action Service of the European Union, in charge of managing and coordinating the European Union's overall relations with these South Asian countries as well as with the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

From 2008 to September 2012, posted in Hong Kong, representing the EU as the Head of the Office of the European Union accredited to Hong Kong and Macao SARs.

From September 2005-2008, she worked as Deputy Head of Mission at the EU Delegation in Seoul (Republic of Korea) in charge of EU political relations and economic cooperation activities with the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Prior to this, Ms Castillo was responsible, in Brussels, for the European Commission’s overall relations with the Korean Peninsula, including both Republic of Korea and DPRK (2000-2005).

An extensive career in the European Commission also included working as:
- Desk Officer for relations with Russia (1996-2000) in charge of implementing the European political and economic relations with Russia;
- Legal Advisor and manager of research programmes in the field of exchanges and mobility of EU scientists and research networks (1990-1996);
- Legal Advisor in charge of thematic human rights issues, with publications on the right of children under European law in the European Law Review (1989).

Ms Castillo completed postgraduate studies in European law, economics and international relations with two masters, one at the College of Europe (Bruges, Belgium) and a second at the Institute of European Studies (Strasbourg, France) following a degree in law from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain).

Mother tongue is Spanish but she is fluent in English and French, with good knowledge of German and Dutch and passive knowledge of Portuguese and Italian. She has some notions of Mandarin and Korean from her postings abroad.

Ms Castillo was decorated with the Cruz de Oficial de la Orden del Mérito Civil by the King of Spain on 24 June 2008.

Dr. Ong Kian Ming

Dr. Konstantin Schamber

Dr. Konstantin Schamber is Managing Director of the Center for Strategic Intercultural Communication GmbH (StrategicInterCom), Germany; Chairman of the Council and Founder of Business Innovation Congress (BIC), Germany; Representative of the Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises in CIS (MITTELSTAND INTERNATIONAL), China.

Dr. Schamber is an entrepreneur, expert in intercultural business communication and artificial intelligence from the social sciences point of view.

Being of multi-cultural background and having vast academic know-how and hands-on practical experience gained from working across several business functions and across geographies, he works in three languages and advises both individuals and (global) organizations on issues of his expertise.

He is a visiting lecturer at several leading business schools and universities in Europe and in Asia and is frequently invited to speak at diverse international platforms.

Dr. Schamber graduated from the Munich University institutes of economic sociology and social psychology where he received his PhD, working with his doctoral adviser Prof. Dr. Ulrich Beck who is the well-known German sociologist and political philosopher.

Ralf Opierzynski

As the head of office at the Fraunhofer IFF ASEAN Regional Office NGO Thailand, Ralf Opierzynski is responsible for the business development and the initiation/establishment of strategic R&D collaborations (academic, government, industry) in selected countries within the ASEAN region (Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam).

Mr. Opierzynski earned his diploma degree in production engineering from Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany. Since 1996, Mr. Opierzynski has been working at the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF in Magdeburg, Germany where he focuses on the fields of environmental and geographic information systems, resource management systems, process planning and optimization.

In 2005 he became head of the institute’s International Competence Center Logistics (ICCL). In September 2008 he moved to Bangkok, Thailand to set up and operate an Asian Regional Office on behalf of Fraunhofer IFF, Germany.

Mr. Opierzynski has headed and successfully completed numerous international projects in various areas. Project activities were located primarily in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Apart from concrete company projects, Mr. Opierzynski has also headed and completed training and transfer projects (e.g. train-the-trainer projects) in the sector of sustainability management, energy efficiency, food innovation, e-mobility, smart cities, digital engineering, industry 4.0 and virtual reality applications.

Simon Song

Simon Song has been the managing director of Bosch in Malaysia since November 2014 and holds overall responsibility of driving the Bosch business in the country.

Specializing in finance and controlling, Mr. Song has amassed over twelve years of international management and leadership experience at Bosch that spans across several business divisions across Germany, China and Singapore.

In Shanghai, Mr. Song began his career with Bosch in 2005 as the director of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities in Asia Pacific.
He was then appointed finance and controlling director for Bosch Rexroth Linear Motion division in Germany before relocating to Singapore to assume his role as vice president and regional chief financial officer for Bosch in Southeast Asia.

He played a vital role in defining the company’s regional business strategy that ensures Bosch’s strong growth in one of the world’s fastest developing markets.

Mr. Song graduated with an MBA degree (High Honor) from University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Dr. Mazlan Abbas

Dr. Mazlan Abbas is the co-founder and CEO of FAVORIOT Sdn Bhd. He is ranked among Top 50 Global Thought Leaders on the Internet of Things (February 2019) and Digital Disruption (October 2019) by Thinkers360, Top 50 Most Impactful Smart Cities Leaders by World CSR Congress 2017, ranked Top 10 in IoT Top 100 Influencers by Postscapes 2017 & 2018, ranked No. 20th Thought Leader in IOT by 2014 Onalytics Report – “The Internet of Things – Top 100 Thought Leaders” and UTM Alumni Industry Personality 2016.

He is currently one of Global Vision Board Member (2017). Before Favoriot, he spent 2.5 years as CEO of REDtone IOT and 8 years in MIMOS Berhad as Senior Director Wireless Communications Cluster. He also spent 13 years in CELCOM, handling many senior management positions. Prior to Celcom, he spent 10 years as an Assoc. Professor at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

He is currently the Adjunct Professor at Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP). He was the Adjunct Professor for UTM from 2008 to 2013, UTHM (2004-2005, 2013-2016) and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) (2017-2018) and Universiti Malaysia (UniMY) (2017-2019).
Dr. Mazlan is a frequent speaker at many major & established IOT, IR 4.0, Smart Cities and telco conferences locally and globally. He sits in Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) for several local universities.

He graduated from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia with a BEE (1984), University of Essex (UK) with MSc. in Telematics (1986) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia with a Ph.D. in Telecommunications (1993). He also received an Honorary Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from UTHM (2017). He is also a TEDx Speaker.

Ralf Opierzynski

As the head of office at the Fraunhofer IFF ASEAN Regional Office NGO Thailand, Ralf Opierzynski is responsible for the business development and the initiation/establishment of strategic R&D collaborations (academic, government, industry) in selected countries within the ASEAN region (Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam).

Mr. Opierzynski earned his diploma degree in production engineering from Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany. Since 1996, Mr. Opierzynski has been working at the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF in Magdeburg, Germany where he focuses on the fields of environmental and geographic information systems, resource management systems, process planning and optimization.

In 2005 he became head of the institute’s International Competence Center Logistics (ICCL). In September 2008 he moved to Bangkok, Thailand to set up and operate an Asian Regional Office on behalf of Fraunhofer IFF, Germany.

Mr. Opierzynski has headed and successfully completed numerous international projects in various areas. Project activities were located primarily in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Apart from concrete company projects, Mr. Opierzynski has also headed and completed training and transfer projects (e.g. train-the-trainer projects) in the sector of sustainability management, energy efficiency, food innovation, e-mobility, smart cities, digital engineering, industry 4.0 and virtual reality applications.

Muhamed Ali Hajah Mydin

Muhamed Ali bin Hajah Mydin is currently the CEO of the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) which involves in addressing Skills Mismatch in Graduates and Workforce Transformation not only in Penang but also covers nationwide.

Muhamed had successfully established PSDC as a Centre of Excellent in Industry 4.0 in the area of Precision Machining & Manufacturing processes. Focusing not only on new state of the art equipment and processes but also upgrading of older machineries and equipment, with a low investment, to migrate to Industry 4.0 technology, Muhamed has delivered more than 100 public speeches in conference not only in Malaysia but in Singapore, in World Congers of IT in Taiwan, Industry 4.0 conferences in Yangon, Myanmar and in Science and Technology conference in Kerala India focusing on Industry 4.0 and Leadership 4.0.

He has a Bachelor degree in Electronic Engineering, majored in “Industrial Automations – Micro Electronics” from Hanyang University, Seoul Korea, a Master degree in Information Technologies, majored in “Mobile and Internet security” from Universiti Sains Malaysia. He is currently pursuing PHD in Manufacturing Engineering.

Muhamed has 23 years of experience covering Manufacturing Industry, Telecommunication System Integration and now Education.

APPOINTMENTS, HONORS AND AWARD
- ICT advisor to Prime Minister of Kazakhstan 2007-2010;
- Panel of advisor Polytechnic Sultanan Bahiyah Kulim Kedah;
- Panel of advisor Perda Technology college;
- Panel of Judge for Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology Center (CREST Center);
- MDEC (Multimedia Development Centre) – Committee Member on Digital Malaysia Embedded System Development;
- Chairman Of FMSDC ( Federation Of Malaysian Skill Development Centre);
- Advisor and Member of Ministry of Education Malaysia on policy development in Technical and Vocational Development;
- Board Member of Perbadanan Tabung Pembangunan Kemahiran (PTPK);
- Board of Advisory University Malaysian Pahang – CEO faculty;
- Board of Advisory Department of Polytechnics – CEO faculty;
- Board Member in Penang STEM Sdn Bhd – Penang Chief Minister Incorporated Company;
- Chairman of Penang STEM Education Council (Association of all Penang’s Private institutions).

Dr. Konstantin Schamber

Dr. Konstantin Schamber is Managing Director of the Center for Strategic Intercultural Communication GmbH (StrategicInterCom), Germany; Chairman of the Council and Founder of Business Innovation Congress (BIC), Germany; Representative of the Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises in CIS (MITTELSTAND INTERNATIONAL), China.

Dr. Schamber is an entrepreneur, expert in intercultural business communication and artificial intelligence from the social sciences point of view.

Being of multi-cultural background and having vast academic know-how and hands-on practical experience gained from working across several business functions and across geographies, he works in three languages and advises both individuals and (global) organizations on issues of his expertise.

He is a visiting lecturer at several leading business schools and universities in Europe and in Asia and is frequently invited to speak at diverse international platforms.

Dr. Schamber graduated from the Munich University institutes of economic sociology and social psychology where he received his PhD, working with his doctoral adviser Prof. Dr. Ulrich Beck who is the well-known German sociologist and political philosopher.

Sergeĭ Pereslegin

Sergeĭ Pereslegin is a Russian physicist, philosopher and among the world's leading technology and society forecasters. He is also a fiction and alternate history theorist, literary critic and political essayist, sociologist, socionics specialist and a military historian.

Sergeĭ Pereslegin is head of the research groups “Designing the Future” and “Ontological Workbench”; a member of the research group “Laboratory”, and a member of the Association of Analysts.

Sergeĭ Pereslegin is also the author of training courses, such as: “Fundamentals of Strategic Thinking”, “Foundations of Geopolitical and Geoeconomic Approaches to Management Practice”, as well as training and methodological cases, such as: “Foresight as a Modern Technology for Predicting Prospects for the Development of the Technological Environment”, and “Development of spatial planning scenarios”.

Sergeĭ Pereslegin works for several economic and intellectual incubators inside and outside of Russia and the former Soviet Union.

CC Puan

Puan Chan Cheong (better known as CC Puan) is the Founder, Group MD and CEO of Green Packet Berhad, an international telecommunications, media and technology company listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia (KLSE).

Green Packet enables valuable digital experiences with the design, production and distribution of wireless broadband devices and user-centered products, applications and services.

Puan founded Green Packet Inc., Silicon Valley, in year 2000 right before the historic dot.com bubble that nearly put an end to the company. Instead, Puan steered the ailing startup to become a viable contender in telecom connectivity devices and solutions selling to Malaysia, China, Taiwan and Thailand. He then navigated the company to a successful IPO on Malaysia’s MESDAQ market in 2005, followed promptly with a listing on the KLSE Main Market in 2007.

As one of the home grown tech company with a market capitalization of close to RM 3billion, Green Packet had been invited by the Minister of Energy, Water and Communications to bid for a WiMAX license. Green Packet was amongst four companies that succeeded and in 2007, The Group raised substantial capital to launch and operate its fixed-wireless broadband subsidiary, Packet One Networks Malaysia Sdn Bhd (“P1”). First to market, P1 was a bona fide challenger, which at peak, managed to capture 34% of the fixed broadband market.

In 2014, national telecommunications company, TM Berhad, acquired P1 and Puan relinquished his role as Green Packet Group CEO to oversee P1’s transition for two years. Today, P1 is known as Unifi Mobile.

Green Packet currently serves more than 100 clients in over 70 countries worldwide with its connectivity and communications solutions. Beyond access, The Group has vowed to help humans thrive with life improving digital innovations and this future-focused vision had empowered new ventures into Fintech, IoT and AI.

Puan as returning Group MD and CEO is focused on breathing life into Green Packet’s vision through user-centered product innovation and accelerated market expansion. He is also set on reigniting a growth mindset and culture to propel The Group’s digital agenda.
Puan’s love for all thing tech and strong success track record in the industry previously earned him Malaysia’s coveted PIKOM Technopreneur of the Year award.

Prior to founding Green Packet, Puan was a serial entrepreneur and twenty something self-made millionaire who achieved success doing consulting, development and management work for large-scale infrastructure, property and telecoms projects internationally.

Puan holds a BSc in Business Administration with a double major in Management Information Systems and Finance from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA. He is a committed life-long learner and in 2016, spent three months in Himalaya to connect with his inner being and rediscover purpose.

Pedro Uria-Recio

Pedro is an executive marketing professional with over 15 years of global experience in data-driven marketing, digital businesses, analytics, and AI, spanning across technology, telecom, and financial services.

Multifaceted, resourceful and versatile former McKinsey consultant. Gifted in creating and coaching high-performing teams of marketing specialists, data scientists and digital developers across multiple countries and cultures.

Chicago Booth MBA and certified machine-learning professional with a tracked record of bridging the gap between business objectives and technology.

Pedro is a committed technology author and international keynote speaker. In private, becoming a business angel.

Anne Mariae Jumadla

Atty. Anne Mariae Celeste Vios Jumadla specializes in strategic intellectual property (IP) management in relation to technology, innovation and entrepreneurial management, particularly with regard to research & product development, business enterprise development and technology transfer.

She obtained her Master of Science in Global Innovation Management, jointly conferred by the University of Strathclyde (United Kingdom) and Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg (Germany), as well as a Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Specialization from the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) program with the University of South Africa (UNISA) Center for Business Law. Additionally, she has specialized training in IP management from WIPO programs with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) and Korean IP Office (KIPO), as well as with the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School.

Atty. Jumadla has more than fifteen years of experience in IP law practice, particularly in the prosecution of IP rights, i.e. patents, trademarks and copyright, and their enforcement through patent infringement litigation, patent cancellations, trademark infringement litigation, trademark opposition, and alternative dispute resolution.

She has also handled cases involving IP rights of big IP players such as Merck Sharp and Dohme, Societe Produits Nestle, Microsoft, Toyota, and Ritz. She obtained her Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines, her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Master of Chemistry from the Ateneo de Manila University, and her specialized training in IP law, particularly in patents, from the WIPO Summer School program with Bangkok University and the Department of IP of Thailand, the European Patent Office (EPO) in collaboration with the IP Office of the Philippines, and the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation (JIII) with Japan Patent Office (JPO).

Norhizam Ibrahim

Norhizam Ibrahim is the Director of Advanced Technology and R&D Division in Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), a government principal agency under the Ministry of International Trade & Industry (MITI) in promoting foreign & domestic direct investment in manufacturing and services sector.

His role, among others, includes identify trends, new & emerging technology including Smart Manufacturing/Industry 4.0 and business suitable for the Malaysian industry & business environment.

The division is also responsible to conduct strategic policies and overseeing the developing of new technology clusters/ecosystem and; develop and sustaining the strategic roadmap which includes new and emerging technology values of the selected industry and business sectors. In addition, the division will provide support to coordinate/link with local and foreign research institutions with the industry.

Norhizam Ibrahim has 15 years of experience with MIDA serving in various divisions including the E&E Industry Division, the Foreign Investment Promotion Division and Industry Talent Management Division.

He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) from International Islamic University of Malaysia.

Christoffer Erichsen

Christoffer Erichsen has 20 years of experience in the fields of innovation, learning and facilitation of change and is an internationally sought-for keynote speaker and process facilitator.

As a seasoned process consultant he has led and delivered large change management and innovation projects in Europe & South East Asia working in industries such as banking, insurance, fintech, IT/Tech, logistics, aviation, government and startup ecosystem etc.

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark Chris studied youth culture at South Danish University and is a certified Systemic and Narrative Coach from DISPUK and a certified Business Advisor & Master Trainer.

As a founder of the innovation firm Human Inc, he supports leaders in large companies to boost innovation, drive change and build future skills. His masterclasses include Design Thinking, Creative Leadership, Innovation Strategy and Agile Projects.

Chris is a huge music lover (Jazz to Techno) and still DeeJays occasionally at select events.

Sergeĭ Pereslegin

Sergeĭ Pereslegin is a Russian physicist, philosopher and among the world's leading technology and society forecasters. He is also a fiction and alternate history theorist, literary critic and political essayist, sociologist, socionics specialist and a military historian.

Sergeĭ Pereslegin is head of the research groups “Designing the Future” and “Ontological Workbench”; a member of the research group “Laboratory”, and a member of the Association of Analysts.

Sergeĭ Pereslegin is also the author of training courses, such as: “Fundamentals of Strategic Thinking”, “Foundations of Geopolitical and Geoeconomic Approaches to Management Practice”, as well as training and methodological cases, such as: “Foresight as a Modern Technology for Predicting Prospects for the Development of the Technological Environment”, and “Development of spatial planning scenarios”.

Sergeĭ Pereslegin works for several economic and intellectual incubators inside and outside of Russia and the former Soviet Union.

Dr. Konstantin Schamber

Dr. Konstantin Schamber is Managing Director of the Center for Strategic Intercultural Communication GmbH (StrategicInterCom), Germany; Chairman of the Council and Founder of Business Innovation Congress (BIC), Germany; Representative of the Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises in CIS (MITTELSTAND INTERNATIONAL), China.

Dr. Schamber is an entrepreneur, expert in intercultural business communication and artificial intelligence from the social sciences point of view.

Being of multi-cultural background and having vast academic know-how and hands-on practical experience gained from working across several business functions and across geographies, he works in three languages and advises both individuals and (global) organizations on issues of his expertise.

He is a visiting lecturer at several leading business schools and universities in Europe and in Asia and is frequently invited to speak at diverse international platforms.

Dr. Schamber graduated from the Munich University institutes of economic sociology and social psychology where he received his PhD, working with his doctoral adviser Prof. Dr. Ulrich Beck who is the well-known German sociologist and political philosopher.

Pedro Uria-Recio

Pedro is an executive marketing professional with over 15 years of global experience in data-driven marketing, digital businesses, analytics, and AI, spanning across technology, telecom, and financial services.

Multifaceted, resourceful and versatile former McKinsey consultant. Gifted in creating and coaching high-performing teams of marketing specialists, data scientists and digital developers across multiple countries and cultures.

Chicago Booth MBA and certified machine-learning professional with a tracked record of bridging the gap between business objectives and technology.

Pedro is a committed technology author and international keynote speaker. In private, becoming a business angel.

Roberto Benetello

Roberto Benetello is the CEO of the EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EUMCCI).

With over 20 years in international relations and business facilitation, general management, marketing and business development in various sectors, Benetello’s work experience ranges from providing consultancy in strategic business planning, marketing, international business development and start-ups, to online strategy and event planning.

Roberto Benetello started his career with the EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EUMCCI) in April 2016, when he joined the Board of the Chamber. He was later appointed the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The valuable contributions he made during his chairmanship prompted the Chamber to appoint him as EUMCCI’s first CEO to further leverage on his capability and expertise in operations.

Roberto Benetello holds a Masters Degree in Marketing from Lincoln University, UK, and a Master in Business Administration from SDA Bocconi School of Management, Bocconi University, Italy. Mr. Benetello is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Malaya's Asia-Europe Institute, Malaysia, working on a research project on business sustainability.