GKK Malaysia Partners India’s IIT Madras To Boost Digital Gap

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) – Malaysia needs more workers with digital skills such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor design and green energy to scale up the economy and counter higher costs brought about by the US tariff, a human resource expert said today.

GKK Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director Dr Gajendra Balasingham said the company’s partnership with IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation (IITM PTF) is, therefore, timely in bridging Malaysia’s digital skills gap.

“Companies are still struggling to hire suitable employees for cloud computing, AI and data analytics,” he said in a statement today.

IITMPTF is among India’s top-ranking technical institutes offering advanced courses in cyberphysical systems and other technology domains.

GKK Malaysia is the first local firm to join forces with Chennai-based IITM PTF, whose graduates are highly sought-after by global technological giants and recently by firms from Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore.

The alliance also supports and strengthens Malaysia’s National Artificial Intelligence Office to “develop a future-ready workforce for the country’s ever-growing tech sector,” he said.

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Quoting Statistics Department Malaysia, he said the digital economy contributed 23.5 per cent to Malaysia’s gross domestic product of RM427.7 billion in 2023. It is therefore strategic for more Malaysians to embrace digital skills, which promise high revenue potential.

“America’s recent tariff imposition will raise costs, forcing companies to pursue cost-cutting measures, including multinational firms resorting to hiring more Malaysians within their organisations,” he said.

Citing manufacturing companies’ operations, he said AI can lower costs by analysing the vast amount of data at incredible speeds, reduce waste, optimise resource allocations, lower energy consumption and improve efficiency.

The education programmes include emerging technological areas of AI, semiconductor design, green energy, Industry 5.0 (IR5.0) applications and other advanced digital domains.

Programmes blending digital literacy with advanced technical skills will be conducted at various Malaysian public tertiary institutions by industry experts, he said.

“As a key player in Malaysia’s tech education-human resource landscape, the partnership aligns with the country’s digital focus on AI governance and NAIO’s strategic priorities, ensuring our workforce remains competitive in the IR5.0 era,” Dr Gajendra said.

The first programme involves 550 final-year students at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), an IITM PTF-GKK ecosystem partner. 

IITM PTF chief knowledge officer Balamurali Shankar said the partnership will bridge the skills gap, especially in cybersecurity, AI and machine learning.

With globally recognised certificates, students will enhance their employability in Malaysia and internationally, he said.

– BERNAMA