At the 2nd Annual Advanced Innovation & Manufacturing (AIM) Asia Week 2025, an engaging panel titled, “The Power of Diversity & Inclusion to Fuel Innovation in Manufacturing“, explored how diversity and inclusion is shaping the next wave of innovation in manufacturing. Moderated by Renee Tan, Chairperson, AIM Asia, the session brought together:
- Ravenna Chen, CEO, Intrinsic SEA
- Dr. Poh Leng Eu, Senior Director Package Innovation, NXP Semiconductors
- Azura Ahmad, Assistant Vice President, TalentCorp Northern Region
The panel explored several critical points, such as:
1. Driving Breakthrough Innovations
Ravenna Chen shared how Intrinsic SEA’s fund prioritizes joint ventures that combine overseas technology with Malaysia’s manufacturing talent. “When we merge diverse capabilities and perspectives, companies grow faster and reach further on the global stage,” she remarked. Dr. Poh Leng Eu echoed this by highlighting that semiconductor breakthroughs often come from the “collision of different viewpoints,” which allows teams to tackle complex technical challenges more creatively.
2. Redefining Investment Strategies
The discussion also examined how inclusivity reshapes investment priorities. Ravenna explained that decisions grounded in diverse perspectives not only broaden opportunity but also build resilience: “Inclusive ventures are better positioned to adapt to global markets and deliver sustainable growth.”
3. Cultivating Cross-Cultural Talent
Adding a workforce lens, Azura Ahmad described TalentCorp’s efforts to support inclusive hiring and cross-cultural collaboration across Malaysia’s thriving manufacturing and healthcare sectors. “By opening doors to mentorship, mobility, and inclusive pipelines, we’re not just filling roles, we’re accelerating innovation ecosystems,” she emphasized.
A Strategic Imperative
The panel concluded that D&I is no longer an optional agenda, it is central to manufacturing competitiveness in the Industry 5.0 era. Diversity fuels creativity, strengthens collaboration, and accelerates the path from idea to implementation.
As Renee closed the session, she underscored the takeaway: “Inclusivity is not a side strategy, it is at the heart of how we innovate for the future.”
Inclusion powers innovation
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Save the date: 3rd Annual AIM Asia Week 2026, September 2026 in Penang, Malaysia. Stay tuned for more details.