Huawei Launches ASEAN Academy to Empower Digital Talent and Nurture Malaysia’s Digital Ecosystem

YB Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM) attends the Huawei ASEAN Academy event at CSIC, Huawei Malaysia

[Kuala Lumpur, May 20, 2020] Huawei Malaysia today, introduced the Huawei ASEAN Academy, a dedicated training module set to empower digital talent as part of Malaysia’s vision of becoming the region’s Digital Hub. In its commitment, Huawei aims to nurture 50,000 Malaysian talents over the next five (5) years, investing three (3) million ringgit, spread across various businesses and technology sectors. The academy will provide more than 3,000 ICT courses involving 100 skilled trainers to nurture national digital talent. 

“The Huawei ASEAN Academy in Malaysia is the first in Asia Pacific region which plays an important role in ICT development towards digital economic growth. It is more than ever, to nurture and develop local talent to ensure that they are well equipped with the proper ICT knowledge to adapt to this ever-changing globalisation landscape. The Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM) and Huawei have had a long collaborative relationship in ICT since 2001 when Huawei Technologies was first established, we hope to have more successful collaborations in the future between both parties to steer digital economy in the right path,” said YB Dato Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Communications and Multimedia.

Michael Yuan, CEO of Huawei Malaysia and YB Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM) officiates the Huawei ASEAN Academy

The academy’s ICT training programs and courses are designed to target government bodies, industry professionals and university students, providing a holistic approach in growing the country’s ICT ecosystem. It will implement established and diversified educational methods namely scenario-based and online live training, and overseas study tours. The academy also provides multi-dimensional solutions for different types of talent and levels of need to ensure that these solutions effectively match the current talent gaps for enterprises. 

“As we all adapt to this new normal of social distancing, the importance of having a strong digital network and infrastructure is more obvious now than ever. The backbone of a strong digital network and infrastructure still remains with the people that builds and maintains such services for Malaysians to enjoy. The trainings and programs provided by the ASEAN academy will empower local talents to be future-ready and actively contribute to accelerating the country’s digital transformation journey,” said Michael Yuan, Chief Executive Officer of Huawei Malaysia.

Based on the industry requirements, the academy addresses pain points of the country’s talent gap within the three core pillars which are ICT Industry Trend Guidance, Ecosystem Talent Enablement and Skill Improvement. The academy uses technology as a key enabler in skills and talent development to provide a solid foundation for the country’s digital economy.

YB Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM) shares his views about Huawei ASEAN Academy at CSIC, Huawei Malaysia headquarters

Since 2011, Huawei Malaysia has collaborated with private and public higher learning institutions, government agencies and state governments as part of its mission to develop the digital economy of Malaysia. In 2017, the company inked a MoU with the Sarawak State Government to boost ICT talent by running a Sarawak Digital Youth Talent Development Program in which 200 students graduated as Huawei Certified trainees. 

More recently in 2019, Huawei signed another MoU to transform CENTEXS to become a Digital Academy in Sarawak. The Huawei Academy presents another significant milestone in Huawei Malaysia’s journey to develop local ICT talent and help spearhead its national digital ambitions. 

From left to right: (1st row) Dato’ Suriani Ahmad, KSU KKMM; Michael Yuan, CEO of Huawei Malaysia; YB Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM); Al-Ishsal Ishak, Chairman of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)

(2nd row) Zac Chow Chii En, Vice President Carrier Network Business Group (CNBG), Huawei Malaysia; David Li Da Wei, Vice President Enterprise Business Group (EBG), Huawei Malaysia; Lim Chee Siong. Vice President Huawei Cloud, Asia Pacific Region; Liu He, Country Director of Consumer Business Group (CBG), Huawei Malaysia