SEPANG: Pendrive inventor Datuk Pua Khein Seng shares his secret of success—communication skills, trust and keeping pace with artificial intelligence (AI)—at the Xiamen University Malaysia graduation ceremony on Sunday.

“These are the keys to stand out amidst intense competition in future.

“Many problems are not originated from machines but people,” he said, stressing the importance of communication skills.

“Engineering is about simplifying complexities, whereas politicians only make simple issues complicated,” he said.

The second criterion is building trust.

“You must be trustworthy in front of the supply chain and customers.

“If you can’t deliver, you must at least explain why. Trust is built from small things.

“If you can’t even handle the simplest matter well, it will be difficult for others to believe you can take on greater responsibilities,” he said.

When the internet was getting popular in 1999, Pua chose to study networking. Today, artificial intelligence represents a similar turning point.

“Those who don’t know how to use AI are already left behind.

“In the future, it’s not just about using AI—you must also learn to improve it, and make it add value to yourself,” he said.

He encourages graduates to contribute to society with a sense of responsibility.

He reminds them that there are no “free pies falling from the sky” in the business world.

To succeed, one must plant his own trees instead of waiting for others’ help.

The 7th graduation ceremony was attended by graduates from the departments of computer science and technology, digital media technology engineering, software engineering, traditional Chinese medicine, mathematics, and physics.

Pua is the current chairman of Phison Electronics Corporation in Taiwan.

Born in Sekinchan, Selangor, he graduated from the Department of Electrical and Control Engineering of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in 1997, and obtained a Master’s degree in Electrical-Control Engineering from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in 1999.

In 2000, he co-founded Phison Electronics Corporation with a friend.

In May 2001, they designed the world’s first USB flash memory (flash) system control single chip, and then successfully designed and manufactured the world’s first single chip flash drive named Pen Drive.

Pua set up a startup MaiStorage Technology Sdn Bhd as part of his efforts to retain trained Malaysian talent and reverse the country’s brain drain.

MaiStorage was launched in May this year.