KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysia Software Testing Hub (MSTH) reached another milestone with the launch of the Quality Centre of Excellence (Q-CoE). The symbolic launch was officiated by Yang Berhormat Senator Dato’ Sri Abdul Wahid bin Omar, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department at the opening of Software Testing Straight Talk (STST) 2015 forum in Kuala Lumpur today.

In essence, the Q-CoE will be a manifestation of knowledge capital garnered from projects and activities carried out under the MSTH initiative, enhanced further by knowledge and technologies acquired and transferred through collaborations with various international partners such as University of Memphis, USA, German Testing Board, Japan’s Association of Software Test Engineering, Korea Testing Laboratory and University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany.

The setting up of the Q-CoE is a natural progression in MSTH implementation after focusing on building up the soft structure necessary to enable growth of Malaysia’s software testing industry. The centre will engage all stakeholders of Malaysia’s software testing ecosystem and it is expected to play a role in driving the development and growth of Malaysia’s software testing industry through knowledge-centric strategies and approaches

Speaking at the official opening of STST 2015, Pn. Mastura Abu Samah, President of the Malaysian Software Testing Board (MSTB) said, the forum, which is a direct result of suggestions raised during SOFTEC conference in 2010, plays a vital role in developing a strong working ecosystem for the industry.

“Over the last five years, discussions at STST have help propelled significant movement in growing awareness and demand for Independent Verification and Validation (IVV) services in Malaysia,” she said, adding that such constructive engagement continues at this year’s forum.

Having a theme of Ensuring Quality through IVV Services STST 2015 is being held on the 3rd and 4th November 2015. The annual national-level forum is aimed at engaging stakeholders to garner their interest, feedback and suggestions to further develop and grow Malaysia’s of the software testing industry.

STST 2015 features Keynote presentations Professor Dr Jasbir Dhaliwal and Associate Professor Dr Robin Poston, both from University of Memphis, USA. Dr Suhazimah Dzazali, Deputy Director General (ICT) of the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) is also delivering a Keynote presentation.

STST 2015 is expected to be attended by 200 participants from industry, government and academic sectors. Apart from the keynote presentations, the forum will also maintain its breakout sessions to discuss and seek recommendations on issues relevant to the MSTH initiative.

“I urge all stakeholders to leverage on the STST 2015 platform to provide input for refinements and new plans. It is prudent to highlight our needs and interests, and make recommendations that will contribute towards growth of the industry. Opportunities are there and if we play our cards right, each of us will stand to prosper in our own right,” added Pn. Mastura.

About STST

STST is organised by the MSTB, in collaboration with the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister’s Department, Standards Malaysia and MAMPU. The STST forum was introduced in 2010 under the patronage of the MSTH and serves as platform for stakeholders’ consultation on software testing industry development programmes initiated under MSTH.

Feedback, comments and suggestions collated at the forum will be used as input for planning of future MSTH programmes. For more information and to register for STST 2015, visitwww.qportal.com.my

About MSTB

The Malaysian Software Testing Board (MSTB) is an industry-driven national body which represents the industry’s interests in software quality assurance and promotion of software testing as a profession. As an entity, MSTB is established as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) under the Malaysian Law.

MSTB has entrusted by the Government of Malaysia to lead the planning and implementation of MSTH, a Public-Private collaborative economic development initiative which aims to develop software testing industry as a new source of economic growth for the country.

MSTB is a member of the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) and an exclusive partner of the International Requirements Engineering Board (IREB) in Malaysia. As a member of the ISTQB, MSTB provides the leadership and administers ISTQB accreditation process and certification in Malaysia. Similarly, the Board exclusively administers IREB certification scheme in Malaysia.

MSTB is also a member of the Asian Software Quality Network (ASQN), an industry-led informal grouping led by Japan with a common objective of promotion software quality practices across the region. More information available atwww.mstb.org.

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