THE Digital Ministry announced Microsoft’s commitment to invest RM10.5 bil (US$2.2 bil) over the next four years. This investment, disclosed in a joint statement by the Digital Ministry and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), marks a pivotal step towards advancing the nation’s digital economy.
At the core of this collaboration lies the establishment of a national AI Centre of Excellence (COE) and the bolstering of cybersecurity capabilities, crucial components for Malaysia’s digital transformation journey. The partnership aims to drive progress in these vital sectors, leveraging Microsoft’s expertise and resources.
Commending Microsoft’s initiative, the ministry highlighted the tech giant’s pledge to provide AI training for 200,000 individuals and empower 2,000 Malaysian developers through the AI Odyssey initiative. This effort underscores Microsoft’s commitment to nurturing digital talent and fostering innovation within Malaysia.
“Microsoft has played a pivotal role in numerous collaborative initiatives, including talent development, startup support, and digital adoption for micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“This investment reaffirms Microsoft’s commitment to Malaysia’s digital growth and showcases the strength of the partnership,” it said.
Moreover, Microsoft’s support has been instrumental in MDEC’s endeavours to build a robust digital tech talent pipeline, spanning from educational institutions to workforce development programmes.
This collaboration has led to the creation of the Premier Digital Tech Institutions (PDTI) network, comprising 42 tech-related faculties across 24 tertiary institutions nationwide and has cultivated a pool of AI-ready local companies within the MDEC ecosystem.
The investment also encompasses the creation of global business services and the expansion of data centres in key regions across Malaysia.
“Microsoft has also been a key partner in the public sector’s digitalisation agenda, having signed the Cloud Framework Agreement with the government in 2022,” the statement added.
“The Digital Ministry looks forward to continued collaboration with Microsoft and other industry leaders to drive innovation, foster digital talent development, and accelerate Malaysia’s journey towards becoming a global digital hub.” – May 3, 2024
