In Conjunction with Putrajaya Festival of Ideas (FOI)

Mr. Rob Smith

Rob is a seasoned industry advisor with over 20 years of experience leading transformation across the Education and Public Sector. As Director, Industry Advisor for Education, Rob works closely with national ministries, institutional leaders, and policy makers to shape forward-looking strategies that strengthen education systems, promote digital equity, and build institutional resilience. His deep regional expertise—particularly in Southeast Asia—combined with a practical understanding of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, enables him to guide leaders in navigating the evolving intersection of policy, pedagogy, and innovation. Rob is a trusted voice in engagements focused on modernizing education, fostering public-private collaboration, and unlocking the societal potential of technology.

Mr. Mohamed Harun Abd Jabbar

Currently pursuing my PhD with specialization in Artificial General Intelligence, Quantum AI and Quantum Computing.

Other Qualifications

  • Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Transformational and Strategic Leadership, York St John University, UK (2020)
  • Certified Transformational Leader, Chartered Management Institute, UK

 

Other Notable Roles

  • Co-developed the Consolidated Strategy on 4th Industry Revolution for all Ten (10) ASEAN Member States for the ASEAN Secretariat Jakarta.
  • Adjunct Professor at Manipal GlobalNxt University
  • Adjunct Assoc. Professor and Industrial Advisory Panel Member with Taylor’s University
  • Industrial Advisory Panel Member and External Examiner at Perdana University
  • Consultant – AI at Puncak AI, a subsidiary of Commerce dotcom (Puncak Semangat Group)
  • Board Member at USIM Holdings (subsidiary of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia)
  • Chairman of the Board at USIM Healthcare
  • Advisor – Digital, Technology and Innovation at Nippon Koei Mobility
  • Council Member with United States Artificial Intelligence Institute – SG AI Academy.

 

Achievements

Involved in a Digital Transformation project for TM Digital Innovation Sdn. Bhd (TMDI) under TM Group, to establish an academy on Digital Transformation and technology training solutions.

Recently appointed as an AI Consultant with Puncak AI / Commerce dotcom to help undertake research, enhancements and adoption of AI and AGI for its full suite of solutions such as ePerolehan and others.

Digital Transformation Director with SIRI Sdn Bhd, under Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, recognized as National Experts in Industry 4.0.

Former Director of Operations / COO with Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera (formerly under the Prime Minister’s Department), managing the operations and implementation of programs in Malaysia. Implemented projects for PETRONAS, TABUNG HAJI, Maybank, UMW, Malaysia Airlines, others and also involved in providing IT Business Continuity Management for Malaysia Airlines during the MH370 and MH117 disasters.

Taught at UiTM and UTM and conducted training programs for Government agencies, MNC’s and private organizations in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

A regular Keynote Speaker at conferences in APAC, Middle East, Africa and Europe, with topics on technology ie; Digital Divide, Digital Transformation, Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, Education Technology and Digital Leadership. Some of these were under UNDP and International Telecommunications Union for Development (ITU-D) and Bridging Digital Divide initiatives with MCMC under the Universal Service Provision (USP) program.

Awarded the Best CEO by PIKOM for the Project Leadership Certification program in 2015.