· Exabytes launches Cloud Centre of Excellence (CCoE) in Penang with AWS and Forward College,
· Initiative tackles cloud skills gap, sponsors B40 students, and guarantees post-graduation jobs,
· CCoE to drive cloud adoption, AI innovation, and regional digital growth across Southeast Asia.
In a strategic move to propel digital transformation in Southeast Asia, Exabytes has unveiled its Cloud Centre of Excellence (CCoE) in Penang. This dynamic collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Forward College is set to shape the region’s future in cloud technology, with a special emphasis on Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Penang, often dubbed the "Silicon Valley" of Malaysia, now hosts this regional hub aimed at fostering AWS cloud expertise, accelerating business digitalisation, and cultivating a digitally skilled workforce. The timing couldn’t be better Malaysia faces a 64% gap in intermediate-level tech talent, making the CCoE a timely intervention.
Chan Kee Siak, Founder and CEO of Exabytes, emphasized the initiative’s dual mission: “This centre helps businesses grow digital while nurturing tech talent especially among youth from underserved communities.”
One of the standout features of this initiative is its inclusivity. Through its partnership with Forward College, Exabytes is sponsoring tertiary education for 20 students from the B40 income group. These students are guaranteed employment within the Exabytes Group for three years upon graduation, creating a rare bridge between education and stable employment.
Pete Murray, AWS Malaysia’s Country GM, praised the project, calling it a bold step that would not only speed up cloud adoption but also spur job creation and economic development in Malaysia. “This collaboration fuels business innovation with AWS and nurtures a skilled, cloud-ready workforce,” he noted.
More than just a training centre, the CCoE is envisioned as a collaborative innovation ecosystem bringing together AWS experts, startups, educators, and businesses to co-create, share knowledge, and build solutions. Activities like training events, cloud showcases, and community-building sessions will turn the CCoE into a launchpad for experimentation and regional cloud advancement.
Senheng’s Head of Information Systems, Jimmy Boey, shared that the company’s smooth cloud transition was made possible thanks to Exabytes’ AWS-powered support: “Their guidance has been key in helping us adopt cloud solutions with confidence and cost-efficiency.”
Beyond Penang, Exabytes has plans to roll out CCoE-hosted events across Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Indonesia further cementing its role in building a connected ASEAN cloud community. The CCoE will also serve as a launch platform for Exabytes’ Agentic AI solutions tailored to improve productivity in sectors such as retail, education, and manufacturing.
Forward College’s CEO Howie Chang reiterated the shared mission of the trio: “Our joint effort is about closing the digital skills gap and preparing students for future-ready cloud careers. The CCoE brings those ambitions to life with real-world learning and hands-on experiences.”
This initiative is part of Exabytes’ broader 2025 vision to lead the charge in SME digitalisation, AI integration, and cloud innovation across Southeast Asia. As a regional powerhouse in AI, Cloud, Business Apps, and E-commerce solutions, Exabytes is paving the way for an inclusive, cloud-first future powered by partnerships, education, and shared digital ambition.
