UM, CADS AI and DAMA join forces to position Malaysia as a regional leader in AI and data literacy

• Initiative aims to equip students with future-ready skills for industries
• Programme empowers students to explore AI & pursue careers in the digital economy

Universiti Malaya (UM), through its Centre of Integral Learning (CITRA UM), has announced a collaboration with The Center of Applied Data Science (CADS AI) and DAMA Kuala Lumpur & Selangor to launch a university-wide AI and data literacy upskilling programme. Targeted at undergraduate and postgraduate students across every faculty, the initiative aims to equip learners with critical, future-ready skills that are increasingly sought after across industries.

The programme provides students from diverse academic backgrounds the opportunity to explore artificial intelligence, broaden their knowledge, and unlock new career pathways in the digital economy. Upon completion, students will be awarded a jointly recognised certification from UM and CADS AI, strengthening both their academic credentials and professional competitiveness.

The collaboration reflects the shared commitment of all parties to deliver accessible, high-quality training that empowers students to thrive in an AI-driven future, solidifying their collective leadership in advancing higher education and workforce readiness in Malaysia. It directly supports Malaysia’s national digital economy ambitions, including MyDigital, the Madani Economy agenda, and the National AI Roadmap 2021–2025, positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for AI talent and data-driven innovation.

“As Malaysia’s oldest and leading university, UM bears a responsibility not only to produce graduates, but to nurture leaders of tomorrow — leaders who are globally competent, digitally fluent, and socially responsible. This collaboration with CADS AI and DAMA strengthens that mission by embedding AI and data literacy across all disciplines, ensuring that every UM graduate, regardless of field, leaves our halls with essential future-ready skills,” professor Dr Hasniza Zaman Huri, deputy vice-chancellor (academic & international), UM said.

Under the partnership, UM will implement a university-wide AI and data literacy upskilling programme across faculties, making it a pioneer in offering such comprehensive, cross-disciplinary training in Malaysia. CADS AI will provide its scalable skills intelligence platform to deliver role-based learning, map competencies, assess progress, and ensure measurable learning outcomes for thousands of students each year.

“CADS AI is proud to provide the platform that makes this possible at scale — mapping skills, delivering personalised learning pathways, and tracking progress for thousands of students while ensuring learning quality and impact,” Sharala Devi Balakrishnan, founder & CEO, CADS AI said.

DAMA Kuala Lumpur & Selangor will offer guidance on global data management best practices through the DAMA DMBOK framework, support student and faculty memberships, open pathways to the Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) certification, and co-organise knowledge-sharing with UM and CADS AI, ensuring alignment with international best practice.

“Data is the currency that powers AI, and mastering its management is key to achieving sustainable, trusted outcomes. Through the DMBOK framework, DAMA Kuala Lumpur & Selangor is equipping students with the global standards and skills they need to excel in the data-driven future. Our partnership with Universiti Malaya and CADS AI is the first step towards inspiring a generation of data and AI leaders who will transform industries and shape Malaysia’s digital future,” Habsah binti Nordin, president, DAMA Kuala Lumpur & Selangor said.

At CITRA UM, the initiative is also about democratising access to knowledge. “This initiative puts AI and data literacy in the hands of every UM student, from any discipline. At CITRA UM, we are making future-ready skills the new common language for success,” assoc. prof. Dr Sri Devi Ravana, director, Centre for Integral Learning (CITRA UM) said.

By closing Malaysia’s AI and data skills gap, the collaboration is expected to deliver substantial economic returns. The World Economic Forum and McKinsey estimate that AI adoption could add US$6.6–11 billion (RM30–50 billion) to Malaysia’s GDP over the next decade through productivity gains, efficiency improvements, and new value creation.

The initiative also aims to raise graduate employability. AI and data-skilled graduates typically command salaries 30–40% higher than the national median, reducing underemployment and strengthening Malaysia’s middle-income base.

Beyond graduate outcomes, the programme is expected to accelerate industry transformation. Skilled talent will enable AI adoption across manufacturing, finance, energy, and healthcare, improving competitiveness and attracting high-value foreign investment. It will also foster innovation through joint hackathons, capstone projects, and research initiatives, generating new intellectual property, start-ups, and commercial solutions for both local and international markets.