**CelcomDigi Launches CD: NXT Programme to Develop 5,000 AI-Native Professionals Over 10 Years**
CelcomDigi Berhad officially 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 ambitious programme addresses Malaysia’s persistent skills mismatch in the technology sector by equipping young talents with industry-relevant capabilities.
Valued at over US$24 million (RM100 million), the CD: NXT programme is designed to have a broader economic multiplier effect, supporting Malaysia’s digital economy amid ongoing challenges in aligning graduate skills with industry demands.
**Industry-Aligned Curriculum and Collaborative Approach**
Built through collaborations with technology companies and university partners, CD: NXT delivers a curriculum focused on critical digital competencies essential for the future workforce.
“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 has since stepped down effective August 31, 2025.
He added, “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.”
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 Onboarded**
CelcomDigi has already onboarded its first cohort of 20 young talents, selected from a competitive pool of 3,600 applicants. Candidates underwent rigorous cognitive and panel assessments reviewed by various leadership layers within the company.
**Programme Structure: Three Key Tracks**
The CD: NXT initiative comprises three main 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 Investment in Local Innovation**
In addition to talent development, 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.
Since its inception, AiX has partnered with over 55 global and local organisations, featuring 61 ready-to-deploy use cases across eight key verticals such as manufacturing, logistics, and smart cities. Currently, 25 pilots are active.
“The enterprise solutions showcased at AiX are not just theoretical use cases — 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,” said Idham.
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.
**Addressing Skills Mismatch with Fresh Perspectives**
Skills mismatch between graduates and market demand remains a challenge for the government and educational institutions, especially as AI capabilities evolve rapidly.
Albern Murty, Deputy CEO at CelcomDigi, highlighted how the programme helps address this gap. “Mismatches will always happen. This programme 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,” he said.
CelcomDigi seeks a diverse workforce with varied skills and backgrounds, including graduates from non-technical fields such as finance who are adept at using technology.
Murty emphasised that success is not solely about academic qualifications but about “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 fresh perspectives to modernise and innovate our workforce.”
**RM4.6 Billion Invested Post-Merger**
Three years after the merger of Celcom and Digi through a collaboration between Axiata and Telenor, CelcomDigi has invested RM4.6 billion in capital expenditure towards its planned RM10 billion investment in the first five years post-merger.
This investment has facilitated the creation of job opportunities within 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,” Idham noted.
“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 with 5G, 6G, or even 10G technology—to strengthen the country’s competitiveness.”
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*Currency exchange rate used: RM1 = US$0.22*
https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/digital-economy/celcomdigis-us24-million-talent-push-aims-address-malaysias-digital-skills-gap
