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Malaysia has stamped it’s mark in the world of Big Data Analytics with the official opening of The ASEAN Data Analytics eXchange (ADAX) located at The Vertical, Bangsar South. There to officiate the opening and brief the media was Dato’ CM Vignaedwaran Jeyandran (D.I.M.P.) Chief Executive Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) Ministry of Human Resource Malaysia, Sharala Axryd CEO of ADAX, as well as Dr Karl, Director, Innovation Capital Division at MDEC.

ADAX is the world’s first physical infrastructure that facilitates access to key elements related to BDA ecosystem such as in building talent, supporting technology and funding startups. It’s range of capabilities compliments the external services and training programmes that are currently run by the centers partners which include IBM, Microsoft, The Center of Applied Science, Fusionex, SAS, Open Data Institute and Cloudera.

Speaking at the ceremony, CEO of ADAX, Sharala Axryd said, “With the unveiling of our new ADAX office, we are ready to operate. The support of the industry, our partners and MDEC, are crucial as we embark on a journey to propel Malaysia’s data analytics journey further. In line with the nations’ goal, we aim to produce 20,000 data professionals by 2020 – out of which, 10% are data scientists.”

The RM165 million allocation from Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF) acts as an endorsement for ADAX to accelerate the development of data scientists and professionals for the ASEAN region. RM150 million will be allocated for training providers to build a network of data experts that are industry ready. RM15 million will be allocated to empower women leadership in data science and ICT.

HRDF CEO, Dato’ CM Vignaesvaran Jeyandran said, “In view of globalisation, HRDF is committed to increasing quality talents by endorsing more trainings and courses in the BDA industry. ADAX provides a platform for up-skilling and re-skilling of our talent to create more high-income jobs and help Malaysia’s transition towards a developed economy”.

The 13 thousand square feet office located on the 27^th floor, boasts an office view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline that would make most office dwellers green with envy. The open concept office environment which also has closed off areas to conduct small meetings or workshops has an unfinished feel with its deco. The ADAX will also have its own in-house Data Scientists to assist SME’s or startups that approach them.

This project has very much been the baby of MDEC from the start where the ADAX is seen as playing a key role in its big data ambitions and plans to execute a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

“We want the private sector energy to drive this initiative and that is why we have appointed one party to run ADAX and work with multiple private sector partners to make it successful,” says Dr Karl Ng, Director of Innovation Capital, MDEC.

To ensure ADAX plays an integral role in building the BDA ecosystem in Malaysia, it will have components which includes an innovation and showcase lab where companies can bring in their big data projects for experimentation and trials before taking it online.

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