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APEC Project Database

Project Title

Empowering APEC Economies: Digital Leadership Upskilling Program

Project Year

2023

Project Number

PPSTI_207_2023A

Project Session

Session 2

Project Type

Standard

Project Status

Project in Implementation

Project No.

PPSTI_207_2023A

Project Title

*
Empowering APEC Economies: Digital Leadership Upskilling Program

Project Status

Project in Implementation

Fund Account

*
APEC Support Fund

Sub-fund

ASF: Digital Innovation

Project Year

2023

Project Session

*
Session 2

APEC Funding

163,225

Co-funding Amount

0

Total Project Value

163,225

Sponsoring Forum

*
APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI)

Topics

Science and Technology; Digital Economy

Committee

SOM Steering Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (SCE)

Other Fora Involved

Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved

 

Proposing Economy(ies)

Malaysia

Co-Sponsoring Economies

China; Chinese Taipei; Thailand

Expected Start Date

01/04/2024

Expected Completion Date

30/06/2025

Project Proponent Name 1

Siti Sarah Ramli

Job Title 1

Head of Operations and Governance, MIMOS Academy

Organization 1

MIMOS Berhad

Telephone 1

+601922922914

Email 1

Project Proponent Name 2

Zalina Sayuti

Job Title 2

Head of Learning and Development, MIMOS Academy

Organization 2

MIMOS Berhad

Telephone 2

+60122602875

Email 2

Declaration

Siti Sarah Ramli

Project Summary

The "Empowering APEC Economies: Digital Leadership Upskilling Program" addresses the need for digital leadership skills in the APEC member economies, aligning with the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040's emphasis on digitalisation and innovation as drivers of economic development in the region. It will also contribute to the Aotearoa Plan of Action's People pillar by fostering human capital development and inclusive growth through upskilling opportunities for APEC members.

The program will include a comprehensive and immersive learning experience that will cover key areas of digital leadership, such as strategic planning, digital innovation, digital governance, digital talent management, and digital ethics.

The program will be implemented by collaborating with leading academic institutions, industry experts, and relevant stakeholders. It is expected to be delivered over a period of 2 days Digital Leadership Workshop with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities.

Relevance

Region

The project seeks to address the challenges of digital transformation and the need for effective digital leadership in the APEC region1. With the rapid pace of technological advancements, APEC economies face the need to adapt and navigate the complexities of the digital landscape to ensure sustainable economic development. The program seeks to address the knowledge and skills gap in digital leadership, helping APEC leaders/members understand and harness digital technologies' potential to drive innovation and inclusive growth. This project/program is open to government officials and business leaders within APEC economies.

The sustained benefits of the program extend beyond one economy in the APEC region. As digital transformation is a regional and global phenomenon, the program's outcomes, such as improved digital leadership capabilities, enhanced collaboration, and innovation, will positively spill over effects on multiple APEC economies. The program's emphasis on cross-border learning, best practices sharing, and collaborative problem-solving creates a ripple effect that benefits the participating economies and the broader APEC community, aligning with the regional economic integration and cooperation principle.

Eligibility and Fund Priorities

a) The project does meet the eligibility criteria, as it aligns with APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 and the Aotearoa Plan of Action. As such, it is also in line with PPSTI Strategic Plan (2016-2025).

The project targeted utilising APEC Support Fund (ASF) – Sub-fund: Digital Innovation, as it emphasises digitalisation and innovation as drivers of economic development and supports the growth of the digital economy in the Asia-Pacific region through the upskilling program.

Capacity Building
The project will build the capacity of APEC member economies through various strategies, including:

1. Digital Leadership Workshop: The program will conduct intensive workshop facilitated by expert speakers in the field of digital leadership. These workshop will provide participants with practical knowledge, skills, and tools to enhance their digital leadership capabilities, including strategic planning, digital transformation, digital governance, and innovation management.

2. Peer-to-Peer Learning: The program will facilitate peer-to-peer learning opportunities among participants, allowing them to share best practices, lessons learned, and success stories in digital leadership. This collaborative approach will foster cross-economy knowledge exchange and promote mutual learning, enabling participants to apply new insights and strategies in their respective economies.

3. Case Studies and Research: The program will incorporate real-world case studies and research on digital leadership from APEC member economies and beyond. These case studies and research will provide valuable insights into successful digital leadership practices, challenges, and opportunities and equip participants with practical knowledge to drive digital transformation in their economies.

4. Networking and Collaboration: The program will provide ample networking opportunities for participants to connect with peers, experts, and policymakers from other APEC member economies. This will encourage collaboration, foster partnerships, and create a supportive ecosystem for capacity building in digital leadership.

Overall, the "Empowering APEC Economies: Digital Leadership Upskilling Program" will build the capacity of APEC member economies by providing targeted workshop, fostering peer-to-peer learning, sharing relevant case studies and research, and facilitating networking and collaboration.

Objectives

The objective is to enhance APEC members' digital leadership capabilities, aligned with APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 and the Aotearoa Plan of Action. The program aims to provide a comprehensive upskilling program to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools for effective digital leadership. Through collaboration, the program aims to address digital challenges, foster innovation, and drive inclusive digital growth in the APEC region, ultimately empowering APEC economies with strong digital leadership capabilities for sustainable economic development.

Alignment

APEC

1. APEC's priority on digitalisation and innovation: The program focuses on enhancing digital leadership capabilities and equipping APEC leaders with the knowledge, skills, and tools to lead effectively in the digital age. This aligns with APEC's vision of harnessing digital technologies for economic growth, innovation, and inclusivity.

2. APEC's goal of capacity building and human capital development: The program aims to bridge the knowledge and skills gap in digital leadership through comprehensive learning experiences, workshops, and sharing of best practices. This contributes to APEC's strategy of developing human capital and building member economies' capacity to respond to digital challenges effectively.

3. APEC's commitment to regional economic integration and cooperation: The program fosters collaboration among APEC economies by bringing together leaders from different member economies to address digital challenges and opportunities collectively. This aligns with APEC's regional economic integration and cooperation principle, fostering closer ties among members.

4. APEC's emphasis on inclusivity and sustainability: The program promotes inclusive digital leadership that considers social, economic, and environmental considerations. It emphasises the need to drive digital growth that is sustainable, inclusive, and beneficial for all APEC economies, aligning with APEC's goals of inclusivity and sustainability.

Overall, the "Empowering APEC Economies: Digital Leadership Upskilling Program" directly contributes to APEC's priorities, goals, strategies, and statements, supporting the organisation's vision for a digitally-enabled, inclusive, and sustainable future for the APEC region.

Forum

The project aligns with the PPSTI Priorities 2023 in exploring emerging technologies and, more broadly, science, technology and innovation, including digital technology, for the role that they play in supporting resilience and recovery solutions. With respect to the PPSTI Strategic Plan (2016-2025):

1. Under Sub-Group A (Building Science Capacity in the field of human Capacity, scientific integrity and science awareness / (or) Building Science Capacity and Future Skills); Agreed Priorities A.1. Enhance Human Capacity- By 2025, all APEC Member Economies would continuously strengthen the regional cooperation activities with an increase of the number of training courses among different economies through 30-40 projects.

Under Sub-Group B (Promoting Enabling Environment for Innovation), Agreed Priorities B.3. Promote Public- Private-Partnerships for Science and Technological Innovation; Strengthen links between the public and private sectors by organising 20-30 workshops/seminars/dialogues.

Beneficiaries and Outputs

Outputs

1) Research and Background Paper

Case studies and findings related to the project title. Generation numbers of case study/research/white papers (target: 8 papers) identifying key challenges, knowledge sharing, skills and tools for effective digital leadership. Utilized Theme 2: Innovation and digitalization to promote transition to the formal and global economy. Key areas that 8 themes to be covered by the target of 8 research papers listed below:-

-  Develop skills and productivity

-  Increase access to capital, markets, and technology.

-  Promote digital economy and facilitate digital transformation.

-  Promote women′s economic empowerment through financial inclusion initiatives.

-  Facilitate entrance into workforce

-  Improve regulatory practices and stimulate private investment.

-  Boost social protection and formalization of labor markets.

-  Promote the generation of digital tools for the transition to formal economy of tourism businesses. 

Each paper will have a minimum of 12 pages length (will be for substantive contents and excluding annexes) with a standard research/case study paper format (e.g. table of contents, executive summary, topics to be covered, research findings, case studies, etc.). Target group / economies are open to all member economies. Literature review, online questionnaire, interviews, focus groups, etc. are some of the research methods to be used. 

The paper will be shared during the slot session at the 2-days Digital Leadership Workshop. The numbers (target: 8 papers) are coming from the tentative agenda tabled for the 2-days Digital Leadership Workshop. A total of 8 sessions planned for that 2 days event.

2) Digital Leadership Workshop

Planned for a 2-days Digital Leadership Workshop in Klang Valley area (Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Putrajaya) with industry leaders in Digital Leadership transformation as speakers and moderators (fully in- person). It will be a dynamic workshop to explore synergies, tackle the most pressing current challenges and foster future deep collaboration among Malaysian and APEC economies. The workshop should give opportunities to attendees for insightful discussion and gain valuable perspective in digital leadership transformation. 

The target attendees will be C-Level Executives, Directors and Heads from diverse sectors of industry and government. 

It will serve as a thoughtfully curated platform, bringing together influential figures and thoughtful leaders in digital leadership transformation. 

Tentative agenda as listed below: 

Day 1: Understanding Digital Leadership 

1) Registration and Welcome 

2) Opening Ceremony; Opening Speech by CEO MIMOS (Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems), Keynote by Secretary General, MOSTI (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation) 

3) Session 1 (Morning): Elevating Leadership in the Digital Age: Unraveling the Essence of Digital Leadership

-  Decoding Digital Disruption, Embracing Change and Innovation

-  Strategic Visioning, Crafting a Digital Leadership Roadmap

-  Importance of Digital Leadership in Modern Organizations 

4) Session 2 (Late Morning): Navigating Digital Transformation -panel discussion (case study)

-Overview of Digital Transformation and Its Impact on Leadership

-Identifying Opportunities and Challenges in Digital Transformation

-Strategies for Leading Digital Transformation Efforts

-Case Studies: Successful Digital Transformation Initiatives (e.g. MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission), AirAsia) 

5) Lunch Break 

6) Session 3 (Afternoon): Building Digital Mindset and Skills

-Developing a Digital Mindset: Shifting Paradigms

-Essential Digital Skills for Leaders

-Interactive Activities: Assessing and Enhancing Digital Competencies

-Role of Continuous Learning in Digital Leadership 

7) Session 4 (Late Afternoon): Breaking Barriers: Unleashing Your Digital Leadership Potential (with invited female speakers {e.g.; Hazel Hassan, Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Mazlan Othman, Aireen Omar, Sumitra Nair, Maneerut Anulomsobut, Audrey Tang})

- Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Embracing Your Authentic Leadership Style

-  Digital Negotiation Mastery: Strategies for Assertive Communication and Advocacy 

Day 2: Implementing Digital Leadership Strategies 

1) Recap of Day 1 and Introduction to Day 2 

2) Session 1 (Morning): Government Digital Leadership and Transformation

-  Governance and Oversight, Establishing governance structures and mechanisms to oversee digital initiatives, ensure accountability, and manage risks effectively.

-  Collaboration and Partnerships, Engaging with external stakeholders, industry partners, and other government agencies to foster collaboration, share best practices, and drive collective impact

-  Case Study among Economies (e.g. Malaysia; MySejahtera, DuitNow, and MyDigital ID) 

3) Session 2 (Late Morning): Agility and Adaptability in Leadership

-The Agile Leadership Approach: Principles and Practices

-Adapting to Change and Uncertainty in the Digital Age

-Strategies for Fostering an Agile Culture in Organizations

-Case Studies: Agile Leadership in Action 

4) Lunch Break 

5) Session 3 (Afternoon): Digital Ethics and Responsible Leadership

-Ethical Considerations in Digital Leadership

-Balancing Innovation with Ethical Responsibility

-Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Digital Leadership

-Creating a Culture of Ethical Leadership 

6) Session 4 (Late Afternoon): Developing a Personal Action Plan

-Reflecting on Learning and Insights from the Digital Leadership Workshop

-Setting Personal and Organizational Goals for Digital Leadership Development

-Action Planning: Identifying Steps to Implement Digital Leadership Strategies

-Closing Remarks and Next Steps 

7) Closing Ceremony by Minister 

8) Post-Event Evaluation Dissemination

3) Project Summary Report

A comprehensive project summary report for reference to APEC members and others. A minimum of 20 pages of a project summary report will be for substantive contents and excluding annexes. The report will be an APEC Publication. The project summary report shall consist of (and are not limited to) the items listed below:

i. Introduction

-  Overview of the Digital Leadership Upskilling Program

-  Objectives and Goals 

ii. Program Structure and Content

-  Workshop Agenda Overview

-  Key Topics Covered

-  Methodology and Approach 

iii.  Learning Outcomes

-  Identified Skills Gained

-  Behavioral Changes Observed

-  Impact on Leadership Practices 

iv.   Success Stories and Case Studies

-  Highlighting Participant Successes

-  Case Studies of Digital Leadership Implementation 

v.   Challenges and Lessons Learned

-  Identified Challenges During Program Execution

-  Lessons Learned for Future Program Improvement 

vi.  Recommendations for Further Development

-  Suggestions for Enhancing Future Programs

-  Areas for Continued Focus and Improvement 

vii.  Conclusion

-  Summary of Achievements

-  Importance of Digital Leadership Upskilling

-  Next Steps

Outcomes
1) Increase in awareness of the importance of the Digital Leadership skills. This can be measured at the self-reported scores by the participants in the Participant Feedback Survey.

2) Increase in the participants' practical knowledge and skills in Digital Leadership such as strategic planning, digital transformation, digital governance and innovation management. This can be measured at the self-reported scores by the participants in the Participant Feedback Survey.

3) Improved collaboration among the participating economies that promote cross-economy knowledge exchange and mutual learning, enabling participants to apply new insights and strategies in their respective economies. This can be measured at the self-reported scores by the participants in the Participant Feedback Survey or by PO conducting own survey 6-12 months after the project completion to gauge the level of cross-border collaboration.

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries of the project include, but are not limited to (for both female and male stakeholders):-

a) Government officials such as government ministries/agencies (e.g. Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI), Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI)

b) Policymakers

c) Business entities, private sector (e.g. ViTrox Technologies Sdn Bhd, Inari Technology Sdn Bhd, Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA))

d) Researchers/analysts 

The selection criteria for participants will be based on their roles and responsibilities in the digital leadership domain, focusing on mid to senior-level officials from government agencies, policymakers, and industry leaders from APEC member economies.

Participants will be selected through a competitive and transparent process, considering their expertise, experience, and commitment to driving digital transformation in their respective economies. Email invitation shall be used as one of the method to invite the selected participants.

All beneficiaries will gain knowledge on the digital leadership elements and skills that can be applied in their respective fields. For example, government officials will enhanced their digital governance resulted from the insights gained into digital leadership strategies which enabling them to effectively govern in the digital age and implement policies that promote innovation and economic growth. 

Similarly, for the private sector industries/companies shall evolved in their business innovation, resulted from exposure about innovative digital strategies and technologies, that enabling them to innovate their business models, improve operational efficiency, and gain a competitive edge. 

Last but not least, secondary beneficiaries are APEC economies who may not participate in the digital leadership workshop can still learn from Project Summary Report to be aware and informed of the digital leadership elements.

Dissemination

1. The Project Summary Report will be posted on APEC website as APEC Publication

2. We will actively encourage both participants and speakers to advocate for and promote the event

3. The target audience comprises representatives from government ministries/agencies, industries, business entities, private sector and researchers/analysts across APEC economies

The presentation/output/report will be distributed to participants, speakers, and experts via email.

Gender

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Work Plan

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Risks

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Linkages

The project targeted active engagement with other APEC and non-APEC stakeholders to foster collaboration and leverage existing efforts. Some of the key linkages and collaborations of the program will include:

1. APEC member economies: The program will collaborate closely with APEC member economies to ensure their active participation in the program, including their input in the design, development, and delivery of the digital leadership workshop. This will ensure that the program is tailored to APEC economies' specific needs and priorities.

2. APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology, and Innovation (PPSTI): The program will align with the strategic plan of APEC PPSTI, leveraging its expertise and resources to promote digital innovation and capacity building. This will involve close collaboration with PPSTI working groups and initiatives to ensure synergies and avoid duplication of efforts.

Non-APEC stakeholders: The program will also engage with non-APEC stakeholders, such as regional organisations, academia, industry associations, business entities, and civil society organisations, to foster cross-sector collaboration and leverage additional expertise and resources.

4. Cross-fora collaboration: The program will promote cross-fora collaboration by engaging with other relevant APEC fora, such as the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), APEC Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy (PPWE) and Digital Economy Steering Group (DESG), to align and complement their efforts in promoting digital leadership capacity building in the region.

5. Leveraging existing projects: The program will build on existing APEC projects and initiatives that focus on digital leadership capacity building, avoiding duplication of efforts and leveraging synergies for enhanced impact. This will be achieved through close coordination and information exchange with relevant ongoing projects in APEC economies. 

The program's approach to linkages and collaborations will ensure a coordinated and synergistic effort to promote digital leadership capacity building across APEC economies and foster cross-sector and cross-fora collaboration for greater impact and sustainability of the program's outcomes.

Sustainability

1. The Beneficiaries will be provided with comprehensive support to ensure they can effectively carry forward the results and lessons gained from their participation as follows: 

a) Access to Resources - We will establish a digital resource hub where the Beneficiaries can access case studies, workshop materials, and research reports. These resources will serve as references for them to continue their learning and implementation efforts. 

b) Networking Opportunities - The event will facilitate networking and collaboration among attendees. The Beneficiaries will have the chance to connect with speakers, peers, and industry experts, allowing them to build ongoing relationships for knowledge sharing and support. 

c) Post-Event Webinars and Workshops - We will consider to organize post-event webinars and workshops, based on request, to delve deeper into specific topics and challenges identified during the event. These sessions will provide a platform for ongoing learning and problem-solving. 

d) Mentorship Programs - We will explore the possibility of establishing mentorship programs where experienced industry leaders can guide and support the Beneficiaries in their digital and technological leadership journey. 

2. After the completion of the project, our goal is to ensure that the outputs and outcomes continue to have a lasting impact. Hence, the possible next steps include: 

a) Establishing a Leadership Community - create an online community or platform where beneficiaries can continue to collaborate, share best practices, and seek guidance from experts. This community will serve as a space for ongoing dialogue. 

b) Annual Follow-up Events - organize annual follow-up events or conferences, building on the success of the initial event. These gatherings will focus on tracking progress, discussing emerging challenges, and fostering continuous learning. 

c) Monitoring and Evaluation - implement a monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure future actions take place and remain effective. This framework will assess the implementation of lessons learned and measure progress toward achieving digital leadership goals. 

d) Engaging Stakeholders - actively engage with stakeholders, including government bodies, industry associations, and educational institutions, to foster a supportive ecosystem for ongoing digital leadership development. 

3. Progress on the outcomes will be measured through a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, including: 

a) Surveys and Feedback - conduct post-event surveys and collect feedback from attendees to gauge their satisfaction and understanding of key challenges and knowledge gained. 

b) Case Study Papers - the number and quality of case study papers generated will be a direct measure of the success of outcome. We will assess the relevance and impact of these papers within the APEC region.

c) Workshop Evaluation - the Digital Leadership Workshop will be evaluated based on participant feedback, the application of workshop knowledge in real-world scenarios, and the extent to which it fosters skills and tools acquisition. 

d) Comprehensive Report Assessment - the comprehensive report's impact will be assessed based on its relevance to addressing digital challenges, fostering innovation, and driving inclusive digital growth within the APEC region. 

e) Long-Term Tracking - establish long-term tracking mechanisms to monitor how the knowledge and skills acquired during the event are applied in participants' professional roles and organizations, contributing to sustainable economic development.

Direct Labour

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Are there any supporting document attached?

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Project No.
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Declaration
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Gender
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Linkages
Sustainability
Direct Labour
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