**CelcomDigi Launches CD: NXT Programme to Develop 5,000 AI-Native Professionals Over 10 Years**
CelcomDigi Berhad launched its CD: NXT talent development initiative in late August, aiming to cultivate 5,000 digital leaders and AI-native professionals over the next decade. This effort comes as Malaysia continues to grapple with a persistent skills mismatch within its technology sector.
Valued at over US$24 million (RM100 million) with a significant broader economic multiplier effect, CD: NXT addresses the ongoing challenges of bridging the gap between graduate skills and industry demands in Malaysia’s tech landscape.
Built on collaborations with technology companies and university partners, CD: NXT offers an industry-aligned curriculum focused on critical digital competencies.
> “Over the next eight to ten years, we are determined to produce more than 5,000 young digital talents. We estimate this initiative is worth more than RM100 million, with an economic multiplier effect that is much larger and more meaningful to the country’s digital economy,” said Idham Nawawi, CEO of CelcomDigi, who stepped down effective August 31, 2025.
> “We believe the strength of a digital nation lies in the potential of its people. CD: NXT reflects our long-term commitment to shaping a generation of Malaysians equipped with the right skills, mindset, and confidence to lead an industry defined by 5G and AI today, and next-generation technology and innovation tomorrow,” he added.
Idham described the talent initiative as part of CelcomDigi’s broader role in advancing Malaysia’s digital ambitions by nurturing “thinkers, builders, and leaders who will drive the nation’s digital and economic future.”
### First Cohort of 20 Talents Already Undergoing Training
The telecommunications giant has onboarded its first cohort of 20 young talents, selected from a competitive pool of 3,600 applicants. Candidates were evaluated through cognitive and panel assessments involving various leadership levels within the company.
CD: NXT comprises three key programmes:
– **Young Talent Programme (YTP):** A two-year track for high-potential graduates focusing on eight future-critical skills, including AI, cybersecurity, cloud engineering, and sustainability.
– **CelcomDigi UniConnects:** A university-industry bridge aligning academic curricula with real-world digital demands to enhance graduate employability and industry readiness.
– **Student Ambassador Programme:** A leadership and innovation platform empowering students to become changemakers in digital inclusion and sustainability.
### US$59 Million Commitment to Boost Local Innovation
Alongside its talent initiative, CelcomDigi committed US$59 million (RM250 million) to upgrade local innovation capabilities. The Prime Minister recently toured the CelcomDigi AI Experience Centre (AiX), the company’s immersive innovation hub launched last year, which has since partnered with over 55 global and local organisations.
The AiX features 61 ready-to-deploy use cases across eight key verticals, including manufacturing, logistics, and smart cities, with 25 active pilots currently underway.
> “The enterprise solutions showcased at AiX are not just theoretical — nearly 50% are in pilot phase or have been adopted by leading organisations such as Petronas, DHL, IOI Group, and 10 local universities including Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu,” Idham noted.
Other university partners include Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Asia-Pacific University, and Universiti Tenaga Nasional.
(*Exchange rate: RM1 = US$0.22*)
### Tackling Skills Mismatch with Fresh Perspectives
Skills mismatch between graduates and market demands remains an ongoing challenge for government and educational institutions, especially as AI capabilities evolve rapidly.
Albern Murty, Deputy CEO at CelcomDigi, emphasized that the programme would help close this gap.
> “Mismatches will always happen. This program actually helps with that mismatch because it not only gives 20 fresh graduates a chance to join us, but also allows us to gain new capabilities and understanding from the talents we bring in,” Murty said.
CelcomDigi actively seeks a diverse workforce with varied skills and backgrounds, including graduates from non-technical fields such as finance who are adept at leveraging technology.
> “Success is not solely about academic qualifications, but their ability to comprehend the size and scope of the business, which comes with experience. At CelcomDigi, we offer these young talents the opportunity to broaden their knowledge, while benefiting from their innovation to modernize our workforce,” he added.
### RM4.6 Billion Invested Post-Merger to Enhance Digital Infrastructure
Three years after the merger of Celcom and Digi—collaboratively backed by Axiata and Telenor—CelcomDigi has invested RM4.6 billion in capital expenditure, progressing toward a planned RM10 billion investment within the first five years post-merger.
This investment has fostered job creation in Malaysia’s digital and telecommunications ecosystem through the construction of 18,000 network sites.
> “With 60% of CelcomDigi shares held by local institutions, including Khazanah through Axiata, KWSP, and PNB, we are among the 10 most valuable companies on Bursa Malaysia,” said Idham.
> “We are ready to play a larger role in ensuring the country has digital infrastructure that is sustainable, high-quality, and fit-for-purpose—whether via 5G, 6G, or even 10G technology—to strengthen Malaysia’s competitiveness.”
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CelcomDigi’s CD: NXT programme and innovation investments signify a strategic effort to empower Malaysia’s digital economy by equipping the next generation with vital skills and transforming the nation’s technology landscape.
https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/digital-economy/celcomdigis-us24-million-talent-push-aims-address-malaysias-digital-skills-gap
