Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, October 17, 2024 – The third edition of the Women in Tech (WIT) APAC Summit and Awards commenced on Tuesday at the prestigious Central Bank of Malaysia, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s mission to empower women in the technology sector across the Asia-Pacific region.
Ministerial Address
In his keynote speech, Malaysia’s Minister of Digital, YB Gobind Singh Deo, emphasized the crucial role of women in technology:
“As we stand on the precipice of this ever-evolving digital era, it is extremely important that we recognize and amplify the contributions of women in the tech space,” stated Gobind Singh. He referenced the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2024, which highlighted a concerning decline in women’s representation in senior leadership roles across industries, including tech, calling for increased focus on leadership training and mentorship programs.
Event Overview
The summit featured a comprehensive program including workshops, high-level peer-to-peer sessions, and panel discussions addressing critical challenges in the industry. A notable addition this year was the introduction of an Oxford-style debate format, fostering deeper engagement among participants in knowledge sharing and project development.On Day 1, we also had an enlightening breakout session: speed mentoring organized by the 30% Club. Ms. Nurul Ain Abdul Latif, the Chair of the 30% Club Malaysia, participated as one of the mentors.
Congratulations to the inspiring winners!
Aspiring Teen Award: Yam Yiu Wong
Best Ally Award: Akio T.
Most Impactful Initiative Award powered by CelcomDigi: Dr Saira Osama for CerebroCure Technologies Pvt Ltd
Most Disruptive Award, powered by Amazon: Momoko Fukunaga
GreenTech Startup Award: Dr. Chithra Lekha P
Woman in Web3 Award powered by The Sandbox: Selvarany Rasiah
Tech Diplomacy Award: Jean Linis-Dinco
Global Leadership Award: Melissa Proxenos
Lifetime Achievement Award powered by AFFIN Group: Tserenjagzan Gansukh
The event showcased an impressive gathering of 57 speakers, including four ambassadors, with support from five embassies (France, Japan, Netherlands, Hungary, and the US), demonstrating the global significance of the initiative.
Empowering Women-Led Startups
Recognizing the critical role of financial support in fostering women’s entrepreneurship, the awards ceremony included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Kapital DX (KLDX) to support funding for women-led startups. This initiative addresses one of the most significant barriers faced by women in tech entrepreneurship – access to capital.
The “Startup x Funding Scene: Empowering Women Founders – Navigating the Funding Maze with Diverse Investors” panel provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in securing funding for women-led tech ventures. Experts such as Christina Teo from she1K and Sam Shafie from pitchIN shared their experiences and advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs in the APAC region.
Spotlight on Emerging Technologies
The awards also focused on emerging technologies and their potential impact on women in the workforce. Microsoft’s presentation on “AI in Action” explored how generative AI is transforming industries and affecting the work lives of employees, particularly women, across the APAC region.
Sessions on cybersecurity and data protection highlighted the growing demand for skilled professionals in these areas, presenting opportunities for women to enter and excel in these critical fields within the APAC tech ecosystem.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
The Women In Tech APAC Regional Awards served as a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and celebrating the achievements of women in tech across the Asia-Pacific region. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, from government officials to startup founders, the event created a comprehensive dialogue on advancing women’s participation in the tech industry.
A heartfelt thank you to our valued partners: Affin, CelcomDigi, bp, PayNet (Payments Network Malaysia), Amazon, and MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation), a government agency under the Ministry of Digital. Your support made this event possible!
The event’s success and the high-level support it received underscore the growing recognition of the vital role women play in driving innovation and economic growth in the APAC technology sector. As the tech industry continues to evolve, initiatives like this awards ceremony play a crucial role in ensuring that women are not just participants but leaders in shaping the digital future of the APAC region.
For more information on upcoming events and initiatives, visit the Women in Tech Global -hub
