The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (Huawei Malaysia) have expanded efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s digital leadership pipeline through the Digital Leadership Excellence (DLE) Programme, a national initiative designed to equip leaders with future-focused digital skills and strategic technology insights.
The latest graduation ceremony celebrated 126 graduates from the programme’s second and third cohorts, bringing the total number of trained digital leaders nationwide to 176 since 2024. Participants from government, academia, and industry completed the intensive four-month hybrid learning programme, which focuses on digital innovation, leadership development, and emerging technologies shaping Malaysia’s digital economy.
Building Malaysia’s Future Digital Leaders
The DLE Programme was established to help Malaysia develop stronger leadership capabilities in navigating rapid technological change and accelerating digital transformation across sectors.
The programme covers key technologies and digital economy priorities including:
- 5G and telecommunications
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Cloud computing
- Big data analytics
- Cybersecurity
- Green technology and sustainability
The initiative also encourages cross-sector collaboration, bringing together senior professionals from public institutions, universities, and private industry to exchange ideas and develop practical solutions for national challenges.
The graduation ceremony was attended by MCMC Chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din and Huawei Malaysia CEO Simon Sun, who presented certificates to graduates from both cohorts.
Supporting Malaysia’s Digital Economy Goals
The programme aligns with Malaysia’s broader ambitions to build a resilient and inclusive digital economy while strengthening leadership capacity in strategic technology sectors.
Huawei Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Simon Sun said effective digital transformation requires leaders who understand how technology can create meaningful impact beyond technical implementation.
“At its core, digital transformation calls for leaders who can look beyond technology itself and focus on how it can solve real problems, strengthen organisations or institutions and improve lives,” he said.
MCMC also highlighted the importance of collaborative programmes such as DLE in supporting responsible and impactful digital transformation across the country.
The initiative was inspired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s call for stronger digital leadership capabilities during the 2023 Malaysia ICT Summit hosted by Huawei Malaysia.
Real-World Solutions Through Capstone Projects
A key component of the programme involves capstone projects focused on addressing real national priorities and industry challenges. Graduates developed solutions related to:
- Education and digital learning
- Healthcare transformation
- Talent development
- Financial security
- Agriculture
- Social inclusion initiatives
The programme’s emphasis on applied leadership and practical innovation aims to ensure participants can implement meaningful digital solutions within their respective organisations and sectors.
Industry and Academic Leaders Share Their Experience
Participants from various industries described the DLE Programme as a valuable platform for collaboration and strategic learning.
Mohd Saiful Nizam Rahimi, Lead for Information and Application Architecture at Tenaga Nasional Berhad, said the programme provided opportunities to exchange ideas with global experts and rethink how technology could drive long-term impact.
From academia, Dr Norilmi Amilia of Universiti Sains Malaysia described the initiative as proof that meaningful digital leadership begins with collaboration across sectors and institutions.
Meanwhile, Danny Chan Tzu Zhung, Director and Head of Regional Telecommunication Media and Technology Sector Specialist at CIMB Investment Bank, said the programme transformed his perspective from “passive supporter to active change-maker”.
Driving Long-Term Digital Transformation
The fourth cohort of the DLE Programme is currently underway, with the fifth cohort expected to conclude by the end of the year. By 2026, the programme aims to train 300 digital leaders nationwide.
The continued collaboration between Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and Huawei reflects a shared commitment to preparing Malaysian leaders for an increasingly digital future while strengthening the nation’s competitiveness in emerging technologies and innovation-driven industries.
