PKT Logistics Group, a socially responsible company providing logistics services today celebrated its structural “topping-up” ceremony for its upcoming The Ship Campus.

The Ship Campus will be one of the nation’s few college campus located in an industrial park.

The top-up ceremony was graced by the presence of Chief Minister of Penang YAB Chow Kon Yeow who signed the final piece of glass panel which was later hoisted onto the roof of The Ship Campus.

“The Penang State Government is extremely pleased that PKT Logistics Group through their education arm, Peninsula College will be adding value in knowledge and talent development through their soon to be completed campus,” said Chief Minister of Penang YAB Chow Kon Yeow.

“Graduates today must be industry-ready-and-driven and be equipped with the skills to manoeuvre through the corporate world.

“It is, therefore, timely for the rise of international and world-class institutions of learning here in Penang as we aim to develop the future generations to stay abreast with the industrial revolution, he added.

Meanwhile, Dato’ Michael Tio, Group Chief Executive and Managing Director, PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd said The Ship Campus aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry.

“The Ship Campus will be the few education campus located in an industrial park.

“This was a deliberate decision as we felt the need for the academia to be close to the industry in order to produce graduates equipped with the skills and capabilities required in today’s demanding job market,” he said.

Construction of The Ship Campus started in 2017 and is expected to be completed by 2020.

Once completed, The Ship Campus will be home to PKT Logistics Group education arm Peninsula College which will be able to accommodate over 4,000 students.

The Ship Campus is expected to offer tertiary education course in logistics and supply chain management, maritime management, computer science, hospitality, accountancy and business studies.

The Ship Campus would also see the collaboration between Peninsula College and University of Plymouth, UK as its education partner.

Aside from bringing high quality UK education to Penang, The Ship Campus will also serve the start-up and SME community of Batu Kawan through its Entrepreneurs Growth Hub.

The Entrepreneur Growth Hub is a start-up incubator that aims foster the growth of SMEs in Penang.

Beyond a physical co-working space, those who register with this hub are able to enjoy the facilities at The Ship Campus which ranges from a gymnasium facing the Straits of Malacca, a state of the art library, and lifestyle amenities such as open air cafes and retail outlets.

The Ship Campus will also feature The Opera Theatre. It is a large auditorium with a 470 seating capacity and can be used to host seminars, business conferences and also concerts.

“We welcome industry players and the business community of Batu Kawan to join our Entrepreneurs Growth Hub and be part of a growing community of like-minded entrepreneurs,” added Dato Michael Tio.