- ASIA EDUCATION REVIEW - APRIL 20269CENDEKIAWAN MALAYSIA MARKS KEY STEP IN BUILDING AI-READY WORKFORCENESTLE MALAYSIA DRIVES INDUSTRY-ACADEMIA LINK WITH IIUM IN HALAL STEMNestlé Malaysia has partnered with the International Islamic University Malaysia to strengthen halal science education and develop future-ready talent. The collaboration was formalized through a memorandum of understanding with the Kulliyyah of Science at IIUM Kuantan during the Halal STEM Expo.The partnership aims to bridge academia and industry by introducing structured educational modules, supported by hands-on competitions and experiential learning activities. These initiatives are designed to give students practical exposure to halal science, innovation, and real-world applications of STEM.The agreement also includes collaboration in halal research and food innovation, along with joint participation in conferences, workshops, and academic publications. Both parties emphasized that the initiative will enhance industry-academia linkages, foster innovation, and build a strong pipeline of skilled talent.The expo featured interactive sessions, competitions, and industry engagements, encouraging students to explore opportunities in the growing halal ecosystem. ERElitery Malaysia, the edtech partner of Amazon Web Services, has marked the successful conclusion of the CendekiAwan Malaysia program, highlighting a major step in strengthening the country's digital talent pipeline. The initiative, which began in November 2025, has engaged over 13,000 students across six universities, equipping them improve agricultural mapping, monitoring, and assessment. It will also enable the exchange of students, researchers, and academic resources, while promoting joint research and training initiatives between the two institutions.Officials from both sides emphasized the importance of combining academic knowledge with technological innovation to address real-world challenges such as food security, sustainability, and climate adaptation. The collaboration also reflects strengthening diplomatic and scientific ties between the Philippines and Hungary, with both countries aiming to expand cooperation in space science and agriculture for long-term development. ERAqua-Tots Swim School expands its presence in Thailand with two new locations, reinforcing its focus on accessible swim education, child safety, and community impact amid growing awareness of water safety needswith practical skills in generative AI and cloud technologies.The program concluded with a closing event on April 20, 2026, showcasing student-built innovations developed using AWS PartyRock. A total of 227 applications were created, addressing real-world challenges in areas such as digital health, education, financial literacy, and sustainability. Top student innovators were recognized for their impactful solutions, reflecting the growing role of AI in solving everyday problems. The initiative continues through 2026, reinforcing collaboration between academia and industry while preparing students with future-ready skills for Malaysia's evolving digital economy. ERER
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