The fourth cohort of the Digital Leadership Excellence (DLE) Programme, organised by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Huawei Technologies (Malaysia), has concluded with 66 senior leaders completing a six-day industrial immersion in China. This brings the total number of graduates to 242 since the programme initiated in 2024.
The inaugural cohort included 50 graduates, followed by 60 in the second and 66 in the third. The fifth and final cohort is set to begin in July, aiming to train at least 300 leaders by year-end as part of its national capacity-building goal.
Participants from various sectors, including government, industry, and academia, were brought together to foster collaboration and address complex national digital challenges. Mr. Eric Du, Huawei Malaysia’s Executive Vice President, emphasized the partnership between MCMC and Huawei as key to cultivating future-ready leaders for Malaysia’s digital transformation.
“The DLE programme equips Malaysian leaders to turn digital potential into real outcomes for their institutions. We are proud to see the fourth cohort return with fresh perspectives and practical insights that will strengthen their organisations. It is an honour to support leaders who will turn digital capability into lasting national value,” he said.
The fourth cohort completed an intensive four-month blended learning curriculum for mid and senior leaders, focusing on a digital ecosystem and best practices. The program included instructor-led modules, peer learning, and project work in AI, 5G, and IoT, culminating in an industrial immersion in China, where participants observed advanced infrastructure in action.
They developed capstone projects aligned with the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (13MP), targeting digital transformation, AI adoption, digital talent development, and a resilient digital economy. Projects included AI-driven disaster resilience, a unified public complaints platform, food intelligence and security, traffic data services, healthcare delivery, and crisis-resilient infrastructure for micro-entrepreneurs.
Royal Malaysia Police’s Head of Digital Forensic, ACP Muhammad Zulkifly bin Mohd Isa said the DLE programme had been an eye-opening journey. “The exposure to Huawei’s ecosystem and China’s advancement inspired me to think beyond boundaries, strengthen my leadership mindset and contribute meaningfully to Malaysia’s digital future.”
From the industry sector, MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd (MEASAT) Chief Commercial Officer, Ganendra Selvaraj, described being among just 0.001 per cent of Malaysians selected for the DLE Programme as both a privilege and a humbling experience. “The knowledge exchanged between participants of diverse backgrounds and Huawei’s openness to share their digital journey is priceless. For all that I have gained from DLE, I hope to pay it forward towards Malaysia’s digital growth.”
Launched in response to Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s request for stronger digital leadership at the 2023 Malaysia ICT Summit by Huawei Malaysia, the DLE Programme helps Malaysia build a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready digital economy.