Inaugural Digital Leadership Excellence Programme by MCMC and Huawei concludes with Industry Visit to Shenzhen

SHENZHEN, CHINA, 1 st NOVEMBER 2024 – The "Digital Leadership Excellence Programme (DLE): Navigating the Tech Frontier” saw the culmination of its programme as the first batch of 47 participants gained first-hand insights into the operations of leading tech companies in China’s Silicon Valley. The industry visit aimed to provideparticipants with international exposure, broaden their global perspectives, and equip them with best practices and critical skills in emerging technologies.

(Third from right) Ms Grace Gain, Head, Industry Capacity Development Department, MCMC, with (fifth from right) Mr Yezhonghua, Huawei Malaysia Member of the Board of Directors, (fourth from right) Mr Oliver Liu, Huawei Malaysia Vice President and (sixth from right) Mr Jason Liu Jian Sheng, President of Huawei Learning and Certification Services Department together with the DLE participants during the visit to Huawei in Shenzhen, China.

A talent development initiative by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Huawei Malaysia), the DLE initiative was a direct response to Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim’s call at the 2023 Malaysia ICT Summit. Organised by MCMC Academy and Huawei Malaysia, the programme ensures that the upper echelons in the public and private sectors are equipped with the essential skills to steer their respective organisations down the accelerated path of digital transformation.

This is in line with MCMC’s National Policy Objectives to develop industry capabilities, enabling Malaysia to lead the digital economy in ASEAN.

The first batch of DLE comprised 47 Malaysian Digital Leaders which included representatives from the Government, academia, and industry, who underwent an intensive hybrid eight-month training programme that concluded in an industry visit to Shenzhen, China’s Silicon Valley.

Participants in the programme completed their visit to Shenzhen by showcasing final capstone projects that presented innovative solutions to challenges within their respective industries. The participants were divided into five groups to present their capstone projects, with the results expected to be announced during their graduation ceremony in early December.

These projects represented the culmination of the skills and knowledge gained over the last eight months, demonstrating the participants’ readiness to lead real-world digital transformation. Vice-Chancellor of the Huawei ASEAN Academy Mr Oliver Liu emphasised that the industry visit was an opportunity for Malaysian Digital Leaders to gain invaluable exposure to the real-world impact of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, and Big Data in transforming industries and communities.

"Shenzhen is a city that exemplifies the rapid pace and scale of digital innovation. It is an ideal backdrop for the capstone challenge of the programme. We hope that our Digital Leaders will bring the full force of their experience and training back to Malaysia and utilise their enhanced skills to drive transformative initiatives that embrace digital technologies, fostering innovation and agility within their organisations. We believe that these leaders are now better equipped to navigate challenges, inspire their teams, and contribute to Malaysia's positioning as a regional digital powerhouse" he said.

This seven-day industry visit offered the DLE participants an immersive experience of Huawei’s entrepreneurial and innovative culture, along with first-hand exposure to its cutting-edge technologies and innovations, as well as industry visits to other leading international companies that have made Shenzhen one of the world’s most dynamic digital hubs, home to many of China’s leading tech giants.

Throughout the week, participants visited global tech giants such as Da-Jiang Innovations (DJI), the world leader in civilian drones and innovative camera technology; Build Your Dreams (BYD) Company Limited, one of the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers; and Huawei's sprawling 1.4 square-kilometres Research Campus in Dongguan, which serves as both a research and development hub and office for thousands of Huawei employees.

Additional highlights included a stop at the Shenzhen Museum City, a cultural hub highlighting Shenzhen’s transformation from a fishing village into a global metropolis within just a few decades.

The DLE programme curriculum focused on digital transformation for the nation, including transportation, talent development, SME Sustainability, Green Data Centers for public universities (IPTA), and the Smart Government Portal. It was delivered through online learning, hands-on workshops, conferences, practical attachments, capstone project presentations, and an industry visit to China. 

With a strong focus on cross-sector collaboration, the programme aims to cultivate 300 Malaysian Digital Leaders over the next three years. It will lay the foundation for redefining leadership in the digital era and propel technological innovation across Malaysia’s economy and public services, with digital transformation as a key driver of the nation's future growth and success.