SDT Aims to Become the Orchestrator of the ASEAN Quantum Ecosystem
Natasha Kobax Appointed to Malaysia’s Top Advisory Group,
Strengthening Policy Leadership in Southeast Asia
SDT, a company specializing in quantum standards technology, announced on September 5 that Natasha Kobax, Head of Business Strategy, has been appointed as a member of the Tier-1 Industry Advisory Group (IAG), the highest advisory body of MIMOS, Malaysia’s national research and development (R&D) institution.
Natasha Kobax is expected to play a key role in establishing Malaysia’s national quantum strategy and allocating the science and technology budget for the 13th Malaysia Development Plan. This appointment is seen as a significant milestone for SDT in securing policy leadership within the Southeast Asian quantum technology ecosystem.
A Harvard graduate, Natasha Kobax has led major global strategies and partnerships for building a quantum computing hub as Chief Strategy Officer since joining SDT in 2021.
Natasha Kobax, Head of Business Strategy at SDT, is giving a presentation at the Quantum Day event hosted by MIMOS in Malaysia last February. SDT
MIMOS’s IAG is a core body composed of global leaders recognized for their top-level expertise in various industries. The group provides high-level strategic direction, future outlook, and policy advice to ensure that MIMOS’s R&D priorities align with the nation’s socio-economic needs, market opportunities, and global challenges.
Advisory members, including Kobax, serve as strategic ambassadors, workshop leaders, and contributors to future outlooks. They are tasked with framing national issues and guiding discussions toward actionable insights. They also chair sessions at major industry roundtables and roadmap discussions, helping to translate national challenges into concrete policies.
SDT expects to gain significant strategic advantages through participation in the IAG. The company plans to be directly involved in drafting roadmaps and policy proposals for core technologies such as quantum, quantum key distribution (QKD), and post-quantum cryptography (PQC), and to take a leading role in shaping policy environments for future research funding and international joint projects.
Additionally, SDT aims to secure direct engagement opportunities with governments, businesses, and universities in the ASEAN region, laying the groundwork for various partnerships, including joint ventures and pilot projects, and strengthening its position as a policy partner leading the industrial ecosystem.
SDT CEO Yoon Ji-won stated, "This appointment is a result of SDT’s technological capabilities and vision being recognized on the global stage," adding, "By establishing Malaysia as a hub, we will serve as a key link connecting Korea and global partners, and further position ourselves as the orchestrator at the center of the entire ASEAN quantum technology ecosystem."
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