UUM ONLINE: Kuala Lumpur - Since the advent of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0), the world is now confronted with new set of challenges that pervade the services sector, industries and not forgetting the legal discipline which too is in need of change to align itself with digital transformation.

These changes will indirectly impact the world in the future including Malaysia as it too needs to be prepared in the face of this digital revolution.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, said IR 4.0 , a technology created by Klaus Schwab based on technology that blurred the lines between the physical, biological and digital world.

According to Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, this situation had brought about impact to people regardless of age, sex, religion and racial backgrounds, ultimately affecting all disciplines namely law, economics and the industry as a whole.

"In the Parliament itself, issues related to IR 4.0 and its broader implications often arise during inquiries and debate sessions.

"In this regard, I welcome the initiative of organising a conference such as this at the Parliament as it has been part of the ongoing reform agenda to enable the public to engage in matters affecting the law," he said at the opening ceremony of the 10th UUM International Law Conference 2019 (UUMILC 2019) at the Parliament last Friday.

Meanwhile, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof Dr Ayoib Che Ahmad said UUMILC2019 was the continuation of the success of the past nine conferences by the School of Law (SOL). The conference was aimed at providing a platform for scholars and intellectuals from various fields and disciplines to deliberate and discuss contemporary issues around the world.

He said the conference also provided a venue for academics, researchers, students and law practitioners from far and near to share their experiences in any current law issues.

"Since law forms the backbone of our lives, it too needs to be developed together with the latest technology.

"Therefore, the theme, 'Law, Government & Society: Addressing the IR 4.0 Challenge' is befitting the 10th conference where it illustrates the intersection between law, government and the public in facing the prospects and challenges of IR 4.0," said he who represented the Vice-Chancellor.

At the ceremony, Prof Dr Ida Madieha Abdul Ghani Azmi, Professor at Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, IIUM, also delivered her keynote address entitled, 'Industrial Revolution 4.0 and Legal Education Challenges'.

The opportunity to be in Parliament also enabled the secretariat to meet with the Minister of Education, Dr Maszlee Malik and his deputy, Teo Nie Ching.

The two-day UUMILC 2019 which commenced on 29 November was organised by SOL in collaboration with Parliament. It became a platform to debate and discuss all aspects of the law with the emphasis on issues related to the variation of law.

Also present were the Dean of SOL, Dr Rohana Abdul Rahman and Director of UUMILC 2019, Dr Yuhanif Yusof.