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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Virtual way to woo talents<BR>by Giam Say
Khoon</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>JOHOR BARU (May 23, 2010): A new platform to woo
talents from all over the globe to work and live in Malaysia via a virtual world
was launched by Prime<BR>Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak
yesterday.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The virtual world - MyWorkLife - accessible at
<BR><A href="http://www.myworklife.my">www.myworklife.my</A>,<BR>was initiated
by Khazanah Nasional Bhd (KNB) and uses Second Life technology. It allows
virtual interaction where visitors can register, submit their resume<BR>and
create their own avatars as well as interact with the virtual offices of
government-linked companies (GLCs).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>For a start, MYWorkLife showcased Iskandar Malaysia
as an ideal place for employment given that it is on its way to becoming a
high-growth economic zone,<BR>offering talents not just economic benefits but
comfortable living as well, with integrated facilities and
amenities.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The portal will eventually feature opportunities
available at the other key economic zones including the East Coast Economic
Region (Ecer), Sarawak Corridor<BR>of Renewable Energy (Score) as well as
private companies operating in the country.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In his opening speech, Najib said the launching of
the portal was apt and timely because through such an interactive platform
talents will be given the<BR>opportunity to learn about the country's policies
as well as opportunities to work and live here.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>"We want to position Malaysia as a premier
destination for foreign talents and to encourage our homegrown professionals to
stay and work in the country,"<BR>he said.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Noting that the Internet has proven to be an
excellent platform for supporting human capital development, Najib said: "In
this current environment of new-age<BR>technology, attracting talents can no
longer be limited to traditional channels of outreach such as newspaper
advertisements.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>"We must start engaging global and top Malaysian
talents in a more comprehensive and focused manner."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Najib said MyWorkLife is to engage and build
long-term relationships with the best global talents as it harnesses virtual
world technology to create an<BR>intuitive and inviting virtual environment for
professionals to explore work and living opportunities in Malaysia.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>"MyWorkLife is an example of creative and bold
thinking that Malaysia must demonstrate to reach our development objectives," he
said.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>KNB managing director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar, who
was also at the launch, said the decision to relocate can be complex as there
are many factors for consideration<BR>therefore the interactive portal is a
convenient way for talent to search for relevant information and to get to know
the GLCs as employers of choice.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>According to KNB senior vice president (strategic
human capital management) Mohamad Kamal Nawawi, companies that are interested in
having their offices<BR>in the virtual world can rent an "island" from
KNB.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>"A user will only need to register his resume at
the portal, download the Second Life application, and start touring the virtual
world," he said. -- theSun</FONT></DIV>
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