CelcomDigi expands talent scheme with university links

CelcomDigi has launched the next phase of its CD:NXT talent development initiative in Malaysia, bringing together three strands for students, graduates and professional learners.

The new phase adds campus@celcomdigi, a work-based learning model that links university coursework with industry placements. It joins the company's Young Talent Programme and a certifications track focused on artificial intelligence, extended reality and other emerging technologies.

The initiative was officiated by Director-General of the Ministry of Higher Education Datuk Prof Dr Azlinda Azman on behalf of Minister of Higher Education Dato' Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

Work-based learning

Under campus@celcomdigi, second-year students will work on business challenges as part of their studies and receive mentorship from industry practitioners. Selected final-year students will then take part in industry residencies at an on-site campus at CelcomDigi's headquarters, where they will work with company teams on live projects.

The programme will begin with four university partners: Universiti Malaya, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Universiti Kuala Lumpur and HELP University. Through the final-year residency model, CelcomDigi aims to reach more than 300 students a year and expand to more universities over time.

The approach reflects a wider push in Malaysia to strengthen links between higher education and employers as businesses seek graduates with more direct workplace experience. The initiative is intended to support the country's digital economy and align with the goals of the Rancangan Pendidikan Tinggi Malaysia 2026-2035.

Graduate track

The Young Talent Programme was launched in 2025 as a two-year development track for graduates, combining rotational assignments, mentorship and work on business projects.

After its first intake, the scheme has admitted a second cohort of 20 participants. They will work across Cloud Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data & Business Analytics, Digital Product Development, and AI & Automation.

CelcomDigi positions the scheme as a way to build leadership and career development early in participants' working lives. By combining structured placements with exposure to different functions, it is designed to give recruits practical experience in areas many employers now see as core digital skills.

Certification push

The third part of the CD:NXT portfolio is Certifications, which builds on the foundation of CelcomDigi Metaversity. The programme offers recognised accreditation in AI and XR for school students, university students and working professionals.

Unlike the graduate and campus strands, which focus on direct workplace immersion and early-career development, the certifications track targets a broader group of learners. This gives CelcomDigi a route into both student learning and mid-career skills development at a time when demand for technical retraining is rising.

CelcomDigi is Malaysia's largest mobile network operator, with more than 20.3 million users. Its scale gives it a sizeable internal base for placements, mentoring and project work, which may help explain the emphasis on embedding students in operating teams rather than limiting the programme to classroom sessions or external seminars.

For universities, the arrangement may offer a more formal industry pathway for students before graduation. For employers, it creates an opportunity to shape training around business needs in fields such as cloud systems, cybersecurity and data analysis.

Albern Murty outlined the company's view of the labour market at the launch.

"We continue to engage with universities and Malaysian graduates, and our experience gives us the firm belief that Malaysia produces exceptional human capital with the right capabilities to drive the country's economic ambitions and the next wave of digitally driven economic growth. Leading Malaysian corporations have a significant role to play in partnering with the government to create an enabling environment for young Malaysians to thrive, grow, and lead the delivery of these aspirations. CD:NXT is our commitment to building that future. We continue to invest in talent today to nurture a generation of Malaysians to grow their careers, have the freedom to innovate, build character and shape the nation's future," said Albern Murty, Chief Executive Officer, CelcomDigi.