Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Digital will engage with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to bolster collaboration in showcasing the expertise and achievements of Malaysian academia in artificial intelligence (AI) on the global stage. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo highlighted Malaysia's exceptional local talent in AI education, announcing plans to organise a programme to showcase the country's capabilities in collaboration with global partners.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Gobind Singh Deo expressed the importance of engaging with MOE and MOHE to potentially co-host an event with international partners, aiming to highlight Malaysia's academic strength in AI globally. He emphasized Malaysia's infrastructure, educational expertise, and student talent, positioning the nation as a hub for AI education. These remarks were made after the launch of the Great Malaysia AI Hackathon 2025, which set an ASEAN record as the largest on-site AI hackathon. The event, held by the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) alongside Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Amazon Web Services (AWS), saw participation from numerous industry leaders and invited speakers.
Gobind further commented on the programme's alignment with the ministry's policies to stimulate innovation in AI. He noted the current technological landscape demands focus on leveraging technology and data to solve previously insurmountable challenges. With the establishment of Malaysia's AI ecosystem, supported by appropriate infrastructure and talent development, the country is poised to create impactful digital solutions. The hackathon, according to Gobind, is expected to accelerate AI innovation in Malaysia and should serve as a model for industry stakeholders.
Meanwhile, APU, in a statement, revealed that the hackathon saw participation from 1,741 individuals, including 1,547 university students and 194 industry professionals, forming a dynamic ecosystem of future talent, academia, and industry leaders. The event, recognized by ASEAN Records, stands as one of the largest AWS-powered university hackathons in the Asia Pacific region. It engaged 20 industry mentors and featured a prize pool of RM110,000, further driving Malaysia's digital economy and highlighting its capabilities on a regional platform.