42 Malaysia, a nation-building initiative by Sunway Group and Khazanah Nasional Berhad, and Malaysian lender AmBank Group have entered into a strategic partnership, to drive innovation and tech talent.
The duo said in a statement on Tuesday that Ambank is committing MYR 3 million ($679,000) over the next three years to support 42 Malaysia’s mission of developing industry-ready talent equipped to drive the growing digital economy, while strengthening Malaysia’s tech talent pipeline.
This cross-sector collaboration of industry and academia will ensure that students not only gain technical expertise but also have direct pathways to employment as AmBank will play an active role in bridging education and industry needs by offering career opportunities and engaging in industry-relevant projects.
42 Malaysia will also serve as a research and development hub, allowing students to work on real-world industry problem statements and gain invaluable hands-on experience through hackathons and innovation workshops.
“AmBank is proud to be a sponsor of 42 Malaysia and to facilitate the opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to acquire essential digital skills,
“As a company that is transforming through technology and data analytics, AmBank recognizes the importance of nurturing a workforce that is proficient in digital
competencies and to be able to apply such skills to drive innovation and problem solving,” said Jamie Ling, Group Chief Executive Officer of AmBank Group.
Jeff Sandhu, Chief Executive Officer of 42 Malaysia, said that at 42 Malaysia and Sunway, they believe that strong partnerships are the cornerstone of growth and success, enabling sustainable nation-building.
“42 Malaysia is proud to collaborate with a forward-thinking institution such as AmBank Group to expand opportunities for aspiring tech talents throughout the nation,” he said.
According to him, quality education and talent development are key drivers of Malaysia’s digital future growth and innovation.
“As we move closer to achieving 42 Malaysia’s goal of developing 10,000 tech talents, we eagerly welcome more industry players to work with us in expanding opportunities and shaping the future of tech education in Malaysia,” he added.
42 Malaysia is part of the global network of coding schools that is redefining tech education through its peer-learning, project-based, and gamified model.
Open to anyone aged 17 and above, regardless of academic background or prior coding experience, the program removes traditional barriers to education by charging no fees.
With a strong emphasis on problem-solving and real-world applications, 42 Malaysia is playing a key role in upskilling talent to meet the demands of Malaysia’s growing digital landscape.
Unlike traditional models, students of 42 Malaysia learn through hands-on projects that equip them with the technical expertise needed to tackle real-world challenges—whether it’s optimizing network security, building scalable web applications, or developing artificial intelligence (AI)- driven solutions.
For instance, in exploring artificial intelligence and machine learning, students develop a brain-computer interface using EEG data to interpret neural activity, developing skills that align with the demands of assistive healthcare technology and neurorehabilitation.
These rigorous and industry-relevant projects prepare them for in-demand roles across the tech industry.
Since the launch of 42 Kuala Lumpur in 2020, 42 Malaysia has provided more than 1,200 students with the opportunity to upskill and transition into tech careers.
Its network of campuses have since expanded to various key regions across Malaysia; Iskandar Puteri in Johor, Penang and soon the Borneo States.
Sunway Group, through its education arm, has invested MYR 10 million ($2.26 million) in establishing and expanding the 42 network in Malaysia, with the commitment of making the world-class computer science school accessible to as many possible, and to help lay the foundation for Malaysia’s vision to become a regional leader in digital economy.
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