**CelcomDigi Launches Ambitious CD: NXT Programme to Cultivate 5,000 AI-Native Professionals Over 10 Years**
CelcomDigi Berhad unveiled its CD: NXT talent development initiative in late August, aiming to nurture 5,000 digital leaders and AI-native professionals over the next decade. This bold move addresses Malaysia’s persistent skills mismatch in the technology sector and supports the country’s growing digital economy.
Valued at over US$24 million (RM100 million), the CD: NXT programme is expected to generate a broader economic multiplier effect. It is strategically designed to bridge the gap between graduate skills and industry demands through close collaboration with technology partners and universities, delivering an industry-aligned curriculum focused on critical digital competencies.
**A Vision for Malaysia’s Digital Future**
“Over the next eight to ten years, we are determined to produce more than 5,000 young digital talents,” said Idham Nawawi, then CEO of CelcomDigi, who stepped down effective August 31, 2025. “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.”
He added, “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 CD: NXT as a key 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 Onboarded From Thousands of Applicants**
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 evaluated by multiple leadership layers within the company.
**Three Pillars of the CD: NXT Programme**
The CD: NXT initiative comprises three main tracks designed to develop a diverse and skilled digital workforce:
– **Young Talent Programme (YTP):** A two-year track for high-potential graduates focusing on eight future-critical skills including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud engineering, and sustainability.
– **CelcomDigi UniConnects:** A university-industry bridge that aligns 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 Local Innovation**
In addition to talent development, CelcomDigi pledged US$59 million (RM250 million) to enhance local innovation capabilities. The company’s AI Experience Centre (AiX), an immersive innovation hub launched last year, was recently toured by the Prime Minister. AiX has partnered with more than 55 global and local organisations, offering 61 ready-to-deploy use cases across eight key sectors including manufacturing, logistics, and smart cities. Currently, 25 active pilot projects are in progress.
“The enterprise solutions showcased at AiX are not just theoretical; nearly 50% are in the pilot phase or have already 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 the Skills Mismatch with Fresh Perspectives**
Skills mismatch between graduates and market needs continues to challenge government and educational institutions, especially as AI capabilities advance rapidly.
Albern Murty, Deputy CEO of CelcomDigi, highlighted that the CD: NXT programme helps bridge this gap. “Mismatches will always happen. This programme not only gives 20 fresh graduates a chance to join us but also enables us to gain new capabilities and understanding from the talents we bring in,” he explained.
CelcomDigi seeks a diverse workforce with varied skills and backgrounds, including graduates from non-technical fields like finance who are adept at leveraging technology. Murty noted, “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 will 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 to Boost Digital Infrastructure**
Three years following the Celcom and Digi merger—a collaboration between Axiata and Telenor—CelcomDigi has invested RM4.6 billion in capital expenditure as part of a planned RM10 billion investment over five years. This significant investment has fueled job creation in Malaysia’s digital and telecommunications ecosystem through the development of 18,000 network sites.
“With 60% of CelcomDigi shares held by local institutions, including Khazanah through Axiata, KWSP, and PNB, we rank among the top 10 most valuable companies on Bursa Malaysia,” Idham said. “We are ready to play a larger role in providing sustainable, high-quality, and fit-for-purpose digital infrastructure—whether that be 5G, 6G, or even 10G technology—to strengthen Malaysia’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