Lending a helping hand to better equip fresh grads seeking employment in a bleak

economy, the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) will introduce the Siemens

Mechatronics Systems Certification Program (SMSCP) in 10 local polytechnics in

Malaysia.

A total of 20 local lecturers have been chosen to attend the 3 week-long course at

Siemens' own elite international technical college- the Siemens Technik Akademie in

Berlin, Germany. The lecturers will be trained by the German technology experts on

being "Handlungskompetenz" – where a skilled worker is able to adapt to a new

situation in a self independent, flexible and fast way of working. Upon return, the

lecturers will impart the knowledge they gained by training other lecturers, and then

passed on again to the students.

Mechatronics is a marriage of systems integrating electrical, mechanical and

computer engineering. The partner schools for the course are selected and certified

in partnership with a local Siemens operating company. In this case, the industry

partners are Amatrol Inc and VCAT Consulting GmbH.

Siemens is the world leader in mechanics and automated systems technologies, and

has over 100 years of experience in technical education. In Germany alone,

Siemens is one of the largest education providers. The SMSCP course has been

established by Siemens engineers who have over 25 years of experience, and so

far, more than 168 students have benefited from the course since it was launched in

March 2007 in USA, China and Singapore.

"The first batch of 10 lecturers will leave to Berlin this month. Once certified as

SMSCP instructors, the lecturers have an opportunity to become Certified Instructor

Trainers, who may then give some SMSCP ICP courses back home. For the

students, they can receive both an industry certification and a Polytechnic diploma.

For those who have already left their schools for a while, they can enroll in this

course to update themselves and better equip themselves in a turbulent economy,"

said the Secretary General of MoHE, Datuk Dr.Zulkefli A.Hassan at the signing

ceremony between the Department of Polytechnic and Community College

Education (DPCCE), MoHE, and Siemens Malaysia at the Holiday Villa Hotel today.

Also present were President & CEO of Siemens Malaysia, Tan Sri Rainer Althoff,

Derrick Koo, Senior Vice President of Siemens Industry Automation, Drive

Technologies and Building Technologies, Martin Stoeckmann, Director of Education

and Training, Siemens Professional Education, Siemens Technik Akademie Berlin

and Dato' Hj Imran bin Idris, Director General, DPCCE, MoHE

Said Tan Sri Althoff: "There is a growing need for solid, up-to-date, industry focused

qualification in integrated mechatronics system, both for new entrants to the field, as

well as for professionals who need to bring their system awareness to the current

standards. We have a large range of manufacturers in Malaysia equipped with

Siemens technology and the tie up with a local Siemens operating company

increases their chances of securing an employment since he or she will be familiar

with their operating system. The certified job seeker will also be more hands on.

Sharing our knowledge and expertise is a part of Siemens corporate responsibility".

The 10 institutions offering the course are Politeknik Ungku Omar, Politeknik Sultan

Azlan Shah ( Perak), Politeknik Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, Politeknik

Tuanku Sultanah Bahiyah (Kedah), Politeknik Kota Bharu (Kelantan), Politeknik Port

Dickson (Negri Sembilan), Politeknik Johor Bahru (Johor), Politeknik Sultan Mizan

Zainal Abidin (terengganu), Politeknik Merlimau (Melaka) and Politeknik Kota

Kinabalu (Sabah).

Malaysia is the third Asian country to introduce the course, after Singapore and

China. China had begun the course in March 2007, while Singapore launched the

course in October 2008.

About Siemens

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical

engineering, operating in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. The company

has around 430,000 employees (in continuing operations) working to develop and

manufacture products, design and install complex systems and projects, and tailor a

wide range of solutions for individual requirements. For over 160 years, Siemens has

stood for technical achievements, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality.

In fiscal 2008, Siemens had revenue of €77.3 billion and a net income of €5.9 billion

(IFRS).

Since its inception into Malaysia in 1972, Siemens has actively participated in

Malaysia's dynamic economic and social growth. With close to 4,000 staff strength, it

has grown to become the second largest German company in Malaysia. Backed by

its global network of innovation, Siemens Malaysia assures its customers of

international expertise localized and tailor-made to suit their business needs. Today,

it is one of the leading technology providers in the country with comprehensive

products, services and solutions for various sectors in the Malaysian of economy

such as oil and gas, power, water, process industries, ports, airports, rail, healthcare

and hospitality. Siemens Group of Companies in Malaysia includes Siemens

Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Siemens Industrial Workshop Sdn Bhd, Siemens Multimedia Sdn

Bhd, OSRAM (M) Sdn Bhd and OSRAM Opto Semiconductors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

For more information, visit www.siemens.com.my.

Corporate Responsibility

As a committed corporate citizen, Siemens Malaysia has actively participated in

various local corporate responsibility activities, focusing on the areas of arts and

culture, sports, and charity. Siemens champions the local performing arts scene by

being a founding sponsor of the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre. Siemens

reaffirmed its commitment towards sports and charity through Siemens Run 2007, an

annual run whereby proceeds of the recent run were channeled to the National

Cancer Society of Malaysia, the Malaysian Paralympics Council and the School for

the Blind, Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Jalan Batu. Bringing technological

innovation for the betterment of lives, the company also recently donated to a 150

underprivileged children with hearing impairment received Siemens Hearing Aids.

About Siemens Healthcare

Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry.

The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and

innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in

knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration.

With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare will be the first fully

integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics,

therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by

consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the

entire continuum of care -- from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy

and care. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates

in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported

sales of €9.85 billion (on a pro forma basis including Dade Behring roughly €11

billion), orders of €10.27 billion, and group profit of €1.32 billion. Further information

can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare.