The Digital Innovator Programme (DIP) continues to strengthen Malaysia’s digital talent pipeline, producing young innovators who excel in global competitions. MDEC, MOE and UKM aim to scale the programme nationwide through a new fundraising campaign.
MALAYSIA, 19 NOVEMBER 2025 – The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), together with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the National University of Malaysia (UKM) through Pusat PERMATA@Pintar Negara, is accelerating efforts to build Malaysia’s next generation of digital leaders through the Digital Innovator Programme (DIP). Launched in 2021, the flagship initiative has grown into one of the country’s most significant digital talent development programmes, selecting more than 200 high-potential students nationwide.
DIP is designed to identify and nurture exceptional young minds by combining project-based learning with real-world problem-solving and direct industry mentorship. Its curriculum spans key digital domains including Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Internet of Things, Cybersecurity, Computer Science and Technopreneurship, equipping students with future-ready skills essential for the nation’s digital economy.
The programme has recorded strong achievements since inception, with its participants competing in over 150 national and international technology competitions. Among its standout talents, Syafeeqa Aqeela Binti Roshidi won the Gold Medal at the Horizon Olympiad Global Round 2025 in the United States for her Python-based coding project.
Another student, Lew Jia Jin, emerged as Champion and Top Scorer at the Southeast Asia Computer Science Olympiad (SEACSO) 2025 International Round in South Korea, demonstrating advanced proficiency in Block, Python and JavaScript. He credited the programme for shaping his perspective, noting that DIP helped him understand technology as a tool for solving real-world challenges.
In September, Team Malaysia representatives Khaira Adriana Binti Nor Azizi and Benjamin Ooi made their mark at the FIRST Global Challenge in Greece, securing three international awards: Global Explorer, Video Storytelling and Social Media Challenge, competing among 190 countries.
MDEC Chief Executive Officer, Anuar Fariz Fadzil, highlighted the transformative impact of DIP, describing its students as national digital assets. UKM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Sufian Jusoh, echoed similar sentiments, emphasising that the programme is nurturing globally competitive young innovators who will lead Malaysia’s digital future.
To further expand the programme and ensure long-term sustainability, MDEC and UKM have launched the DIP Fundraising Campaign under the UKM Chancellor Foundation (Yayasan Canselor UKM). The initiative seeks contributions from individuals, corporations and philanthropic organisations to support equipment, scholarships and wider programme access, particularly for students in rural communities.
