Google has introduced two initiatives in Malaysia aimed at empowering the youth with AI skills and enhancing public service delivery through cloud-native AI tools, aligning with Malaysia’s MADANI Economy Framework. The first initiative, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), offers up to 500 Google Career Certificate scholarships to 161 public universities, polytechnics, and community colleges until 2024.
These certificates, developed by Google experts, cover fields like cybersecurity, data analytics, and IT support, and can be completed online within three to six months, benefiting individuals from diverse backgrounds. Gemilang, Google's digital training program launched in 2022, has already granted 31,000 scholarships, with 80% of graduates reporting positive career outcomes. The second initiative involves partnering with Jabatan Digital Negara to implement Google Workspace for 445,000 public officers.
This move aims to enhance efficiency in tasks such as policy development and budget planning by providing integrated AI-powered tools for collaboration and decision-making. Google Workspace integrates popular applications like Gmail, Drive, and Meet into a single platform, offering features like enterprise-grade access management and data protection. These initiatives stem from a strategic collaboration announced at the APEC Leaders’ Meeting, emphasizing Malaysia's commitment to inclusive digital growth.
According to Karan Bhatia, Google's global head of government affairs and public policy, Malaysia's embrace of technology showcases its dedication to leveraging AI for national competitiveness and responsible public sector adoption.
