Developing countries in Asia are in the process of transitioning from a production economy to a knowledge-based economy (k-economy). Various new knowledge and information communications technology (ICT) mega-projects are being designed and executed at the international, national, state and industry levels to sustain competitiveness. The structures and processes by which these so-called ‘knowledge super corridors’ are developed and implemented are complex economic-social-political decisions.

A sophisticated model is developed from critical and practice theories, whereby the new critical practice lens generates knowledge for understanding, evaluation and action. In this talk, Professor Han will illustrate the value of the model with two case studies on a k-economy blueprint and a knowledge portal in emerging k-economies in Southeast Asia.

He will also highlight the digital economy and ICT initiatives currently transforming Australia.

Chun Kwong Han is currently Visiting Fellow at Crawford School of Public Policy. He is senior professor at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), emeritus professor of Techno India University, and honorary professor (2005-2011) at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. He was President of Association of Asian Pacific Operations Research Societies 2007-2009, Founding President of Management Science/Operations Research Society of Malaysia, and Customer Relationship Management and Contact Centre Association of Malaysia. His management experiences include being in the senior management team at Multimedia Development Corporation. At UPM, he has served as Director of Centre for Research on Information Management and Policy Action and Director of Electronic University, Chancellery. He obtained his PhD from the University of Cambridge.

Professor Han is an award holder of the Australia-Malaysia ‘Towards 2020’ Research Fellowship, sponsored by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.