DIGITAL AGENDA ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS, DRIVING TECH-BASED ECONOMY - EXPERTS

By Syed Iylia Hariz Al-Qadri Syed Izman

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) -- The government’s digital agenda is a strategic initiative aimed at positioning Malaysia as a regional digital hub, in line with the country’s transition toward a technology-based economy.

Associate professor Dr Abdul Hadi Abd Rahman, deputy dean (Research and Innovation) at the Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), said the implementation of the digital agenda has been well received by various stakeholders, including major industry players, thereby boosting demand for local talent and accelerating the development of technological skills.

bootstrap slideshow

“However, the success of the digital agenda depends greatly on the level of awareness and acceptance of technology among civil servants, especially in terms of adoption and adaptation of digital systems in the government sector,” he told Bernama.

He added that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are also expected to benefit from the development of technology-based solutions tailored to local needs and challenges.

“This approach not only strengthens the domestic innovation ecosystem, but also helps increase the competitiveness of the country's digital economy in a more inclusive and comprehensive manner,” he said.

During the special Dewan Rakyat sitting to address the United States (US) tariff issue yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised that the government will continue to prioritise the adoption of cutting-edge technology to enhance national competitiveness and facilitate business transactions.

Commenting on the government’s commitment to establishing Malaysia as a regional digital hub, Abdul Hadi said the creation of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and the post-quantum technology centre at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) reflects a strong effort to build the nation's technological foundation from the ground up.

“This measure is also strengthened through special allocations to research universities, which play an important role in strengthening the research and innovation ecosystem,” he said.

He added that UKM has also supported the national digitalisation initiative through the implementation of the Nadi Utama Sintesis Aksara (NUSA) initiative, which is based at the faculty.

“This initiative empowers the Malay language as a language of knowledge through artificial intelligence (AI) technology, thereby supporting the country’s digital agenda, which is grounded in culture and national identity,” he said.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Majlis Kerjasama Ketua-ketua Pusat Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran IPTA (Council of Public Higher Education Institutions’ Centres for Teaching and Learning), Prof Dr Wan Zuhainis Saad, said that the development of digital and technological skills should be viewed as an ongoing effort, in line with the rapid advancements in fields such as AI, Big Data, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

“Flexible education provides opportunities for students, including those in rural areas, to access high-quality courses in the field of technology and AI,” she said.

She added that approaches such as personalised modules, short courses, ‘unbundling’, and ‘micro-credentials’ allow individuals, including those in the workforce, to enhance their skills without having to commit to lengthy formal programmes.

“It is also important in reducing the skills gap between generations and supporting the development of a workforce that is ready for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0),” she said.

Wan Zuhainis also stressed that digital technology needs to be explored extensively in the green energy and sustainability sectors, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She also proposed continued investment in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education to prepare the future workforce with more holistic and relevant digital skills.

-- BERNAMA