- GKK Malaysia signs strategic alliance with IIT Madras Pravartak to boost Malaysia’s National AI Office and digital transformation agenda.
- Focus on closing digital skills gap with training in AI, cybersecurity, semiconductor design, and Industry 5.0 technologies across public universities.
- Collaboration aims to build a future-proof workforce, starting with 550 final-year students at Universiti Utara Malaysia, supported by Indian innovation leadership.
Professional training and certifications service, GKK Consultants Sdn Bhd (GKK Malaysia), has signed an alliance with IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation (IITMPTF), in order to assist and develop Malaysia's National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) and Malaysia's continued digital drives.
Its mission is to close the digital skills gap using certified technology education programs in the new areas of developing technologies like artificial intelligence, semiconductor design, green energy, Industry 5.0 applications and other frontier digital fields.
GKK Malaysia group managing director Dr Gajendra Balasingham added that the digital economy, in isolation, had contributed between 23.5 percent and 2023's GDP of RM427.7 billion and businesses are still battling to find the right employees for cloud computing, AI and data analytics.
"Additionally, with the recent applications of USA tariffs, this action is to contribute significantly to overall cost reduction efforts since numerous MNCs would be turning to engage more Malaysians in their own organizations. This timely cooperation, which was institutionalized early this year, is poised to empower under-served communities and build a future-proof workforce for Malaysia's continuously expanding tech industry". Programmes will be implemented at different Malaysian public tertiary institutions by experts from the industry, with a mix of digital literacy and specialized technical skills", he added.
As a major influencer in Malaysia's tech eduction-cum HR scene, he said GKK Malaysia is humbled to partner IITMPTF to further support the nation's drive towards going digital.
"This collaboration is well in line with Malaysia Digital's emphasis on AI governance and NAIO's strategic goals to ensure our human capital remains competitive in the IR5.0 world", he furthered. The first programme covers 550 final-year students at Universiti Utara Malaysia, in collaboration with IITMPTF and ecosystem partners of GKK Malaysia.
IITMPTF chief knowledge officer Balamurali Shankar said, "This alliance will decisively fill the skill gap by training more tech talent in frontier technologies, particularly in cybersecurity, AI and machine learning".
"Students will learn concepts and acquire precious, hands-on knowledge and realwork experience through academy as well as industry faculty guidance. And, the globally accepted certificates that they obtain will also improve their employability, thus making them much sought-after talent in Malaysia as well as globally".
Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia B.N. Reddy expressed that they are pleased to see that GKK Malaysia has organized a system to drive advanced courses in Malaysia through IITMPTF, a known, pioneering innovation center in India.
Its advanced courses in cyber-physical systems and other emerging technology domains are set to significantly enhance the competitive edge of Malaysian firms,” he added. “This initiative will help local industries stay ahead in an increasingly technology-driven global landscape”.
