Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Digital today launched the Korea-ASEAN Digital Academy (KADA), a joint initiative with the Republic of Korea to develop industry-ready artificial intelligence (AI) and digital professionals in Malaysia. Coordinated by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the programme aims to equip participants with the necessary skills to meet the demands of the digital economy.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the programme will provide specialised training in AI and emerging digital technologies through four cohorts from 2026 to 2027, targeting the production of approximately 200 industry-ready Malaysian AI and digital professionals. This initiative not only focuses on talent development but also strengthens cooperation between Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, and ASEAN member states, promoting knowledge exchange and advancing AI capability development across the region.
The launch event was attended by notable figures including MDEC chief executive officer Anuar Fariz Fadzil, Republic of Korea Ambassador to Malaysia Yeo Seung-bae, National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA) executive vice president Kim Deuk-jung, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International) Professor Dr Yamin Yasin, and UiTM Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences dean Professor Dr Norjansalika Janom. The event took place at UiTM, which was selected as Malaysia's host institution for the programme.
Malaysia's participation in KADA follows its endorsement at the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting (6th ADGMIN) in January, highlighting the country's robust digital ecosystem and institutional capabilities. MDEC is implementing the programme in collaboration with strategic partners from the government, academia, and industry. UiTM was chosen for its strong academic foundation, following an evaluation of selected Premier Digital Tech Institutions.
The training programme will be delivered by ABLEARN, appointed by NIPA as the service provider, with Garranto Academy serving as the local operational partner. This collaboration underscores Malaysia's commitment to developing future-ready digital talent and fostering international partnerships in digital innovation.