**CelcomDigi Launches Ambitious CD: NXT Programme to Cultivate 5,000 AI-Native Professionals Over 10 Years**
CelcomDigi Berhad has introduced its CD: NXT talent development initiative, aiming to nurture 5,000 digital leaders and AI-native professionals over the next decade. Launched in late August, this programme addresses the persistent skills mismatch in Malaysia’s technology sector, which continues to grapple with bridging the gap between graduate competencies and industry demands.
Valued at over US$24 million (RM100 million), CD: NXT is expected to generate a broader economic multiplier effect, significantly contributing to the country’s digital economy. The programme is built on close collaborations with technology companies and university partners, delivering an industry-aligned curriculum focused on essential digital skills and 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.
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 an integral part of CelcomDigi’s broader mission to advance Malaysia’s digital ambitions by nurturing “thinkers, builders, and leaders who will drive the nation’s digital and economic future.”
### First Cohort Already Undergoing Training
CelcomDigi has already onboarded its first cohort of 20 young talents, selected from a highly competitive pool of 3,600 applicants. The selection process involved rigorous cognitive and panel assessments evaluated by multiple leadership layers within the company.
### CD: NXT Comprises Three Key Programmes
– **Young Talent Programme (YTP):** A two-year track for high-potential graduates focused on eight future-critical skills, including AI, cybersecurity, cloud engineering, and sustainability.
– **CelcomDigi UniConnects:** A university-industry bridge designed to align academic curricula with real-world digital demands, enhancing 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 Local Innovation
In addition to the CD: NXT talent initiative, CelcomDigi has committed US$59 million (RM250 million) to upgrade local innovation capabilities. The Prime Minister recently toured the CelcomDigi AI Experience Centre (AiX), an immersive innovation hub launched last year.
AiX has partnered with over 55 global and local organisations and features 61 ready-to-deploy use cases across eight key verticals, including manufacturing, logistics, and smart cities. Currently, 25 pilot projects are actively 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,” 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 Through Fresh Perspectives
The skills mismatch between graduates and market demand is an ongoing challenge for governments and educational institutions, especially as AI technology rapidly evolves. Albern Murty, Deputy CEO at CelcomDigi, highlighted how the programme helps bridge 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 allows us to gain new capabilities and understanding from the talents we bring in,” Murty explained.
CelcomDigi seeks a diverse workforce with varied skills and backgrounds, including graduates from non-technical fields such as finance who are comfortable leveraging technology.
He emphasized that success is not solely about academic qualifications but also the ability to understand the business scope and scale, which grows with experience.
> “At CelcomDigi, we will offer these young talents the ability to broaden their knowledge, and at the same time benefit from bringing in young talent to modernize and innovate our workforce,” Murty added.
### RM4.6 Billion Invested Post-Merger
Three years after the merger of Celcom and Digi—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 led to the development of 18,000 network sites, creating numerous job opportunities within Malaysia’s digital and telecommunications ecosystem.
> “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 shared.
He added, “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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*Exchange rate used: RM1 = US$0.22*
https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/digital-economy/celcomdigis-us24-million-talent-push-aims-address-malaysias-digital-skills-gap