UTAR awarded the Premier Digital Tech University recognition

Prof Chuah (second from right) receiving the award from Dato’ Mohd Saleh Jaafar (second from left) as Surina Shukri (far left) and Ts Dr Mohammad Naim bin Yaakub (far right) look on

UTAR was awarded the Premier Digital Tech University recognition on 17 June 2019 at Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC), Cyberjaya. Aside from HELP University and Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia, UTAR was the newly added institution that obtained the Premier Digital Tech Institutions recognition, expanding the current line-up to a total of 16 institutions.

Present at the award ceremony were Ministry of Education Department of Higher Education Deputy Director General YBhg Dato’ Prof Ir Dr Mohd Saleh Jaafar representing Minister of Education Malaysia YB Dr Maszlee bin Malik, Ministry of Education Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education Deputy Director General Ts Dr Mohammad Naim bin Yaakub and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Chief Executive Officer Surina Shukri.

The Premier Digital Tech Institutions initiative was jointly developed by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) in 2017. The Premier Digital Tech University’s objective is to recognise selected institutions of higher learning (IHLs) as the preferred institutions for future digital talents and to set a benchmark for other institutions aspiring to be the preferred talent supplier for the digital economy sectors as well as to enhance awareness and confidence in digital tech graduates amongst the industry and the general public.

This initiative is widely supported by the industry, such as Amazon Web Services, CISCO, Intel, JobStreet, Microsoft, Oracle Academy, RunCloud and SAS. Through this initiative, students will be able to gain knowledge and skills which are relevant to the industry directly from leading technology companies which will ensure that students become employable talents upon graduation.

“The Premier Digital Tech Institutions initiative will ensure that Malaysians will be ready in the fields of Data Analytics, AI, Robotics and Digital Marketing. Talent is key for Malaysia to succeed in the 4th Industrial Revolution. As the world moves rapidly from IR4.0 to now even discussing IR5.0 - it is critical that we prepare skilled local talents for future jobs,” said Dato’ Mohd Saleh Jaafar.

“MDEC is a strong proponent of Public-Private Partnerships and this Premier Digital Tech Institutions initiative is a great example of how such alliances can powerfully impact the growth of Malaysia’s digital economy,” said Surina Shukri.

Prof Chuah (fourth from left) with Surina Shukri (tenth from left), Dato’ Mohd Saleh Jaafar, Dr Mohammad Naim and other award recipients

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) is the government agency under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia entrusted to lead the nation's digital economy forward. MDEC’s mandate includes driving digital adoption, development of industry ready tech talents, digital economy policies and global champions. To future proof Malaysia for the digital age, MDEC will leverage its proven track record, industry credibility and experienced leadership to connect, catalyse and commercialise digital initiatives to advance a thriving and sustainable digital economy placing diversity and inclusivity at its core.