The development of digital talent, a crucial pillar for Malaysia’s digital transformation, received a significant boost during the Huawei ICT Competition Malaysia 2024–2025 awards ceremony. The event celebrated the outstanding achievements of 16 students and instructors, who emerged as grand prize winners across four key competition tracks: Cloud, Network, Computing, and Innovation.
The competition, which saw participation from over 1,200 students and instructors representing 40 public and private universities nationwide, was co-organised by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), and Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
In the Innovation Track, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) clinched the grand prize, with the winning team comprising instructor Chong Yung Wey and students Lim Miin Ning, Naomi Tham Kah Mun, and Bok Wei Hong. Expressing his pride in the achievement, USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed, stated that the win reflects USM’s continued efforts to foster innovation, enhance graduate employability, and position the institution as a leader in technological advancement.
In the Cloud Track, the grand prize was secured by Universiti Malaya (UM), represented by instructor Dr Rafidah Md Noor and students Chew Ying Ying, Lee Xim Er, and Cheu Zi Yuan. Dr Rafidah remarked that the grand prize symbolised the limitless potential of ICT, praising Huawei ICT Academy Malaysia for providing an invaluable platform for growth and learning.
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) emerged victorious in the Network Track, with instructor Ahmad Alauddin Ariffin guiding students Nurul Natasha Nabilah Binti Mohd Dino, Nur A’in A’liya Binti Ahmad Alauddin, and Anis Nadira Noor Maisam to success. Nurul Natasha Nabilah Mohd Dino shared her excitement, highlighting the significance of this achievement after multiple attempts and crediting the support of her instructors for helping her advance to the Regional Stage.
The grand prize in the Computing Track was claimed by Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), represented by instructor Dr Aun Yichiet and students Liew Zheng Xian, Ng Shi Qi, and Har Sze Hao. Dr Aun described the win as a “moment of deep pride,” praising the alignment of effort, talent, and partnerships with Huawei. He emphasised how Huawei’s initiatives have provided students with the tools to overcome challenges and achieve meaningful outcomes.
In addition to the grand prize winners, six educators were honoured with the Huawei Malaysia Most Dedicated Instructors 2024 award. This recognition celebrates the instructors’ unwavering commitment to nurturing ICT talent. The honourees included:
- Dr Lee Sui Ping (Xiamen University Malaysia)
- Dr Ng Kok Why and Dr Lee Fong Yee (Multimedia University)
- Dr Tan Soo Fun (Universiti Malaysia Sabah)
- Dr Noorhayati Md Noor and Dr Azliza Mohd Ali (Universiti Teknologi MARA)
Similarly, six institutions were acknowledged as Huawei Malaysia Outstanding ICT Academies 2024 for their dedication to ICT education excellence. The recipients were:
- Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
- Multimedia University (MMU)
- Universiti Malaya (UM)
- Xiamen University Malaysia (XUM)
- Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
- INTI International College Penang
All grand prize winners will now prepare to compete on the regional stage in February 2025, marking the next phase of their journey toward global recognition.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr Kasim Hj Mansur, highlighted how Huawei’s commitment to education aligns with UMS’s mission to nurture future leaders and support Malaysia’s digital transformation agenda.
The event also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and Huawei Malaysia. The collaboration aims to foster the exchange of best practices in emerging technologies, provide real-world industry expertise, and offer access to state-of-the-art facilities. The partnership aims to build a robust talent pipeline to support Malaysia’s digital economy ambitions.
Prior to the awards ceremony, Huawei Malaysia hosted the Digital Talent Forum Day 2024, co-organised with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and MOHE. The forum gathered over 100 instructors from 30 universities, as well as representatives from government, academia, and industry. Key discussions focused on the future of ICT education, teaching innovation, and digital transformation strategies in education.
Deputy Higher Education Minister, Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, who officiated the awards, emphasised the importance of nurturing digital talent as a catalyst for the nation’s development. The event was also attended by key education officials, including Higher Education Ministry Secretary General Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang and Higher Education Director General Datuk Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman.
The ceremony concluded with a shared commitment to advancing Malaysia’s digital talent pipeline, fostering an environment where students, educators, and institutions can continue to thrive on both national and global stages.
