Najib: Huawei training centre to bring in RM1.2 billion in GNI by 2020
KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — The Huawei Malaysia Global Training Centre, officially opened today by leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider Huawei, is expected to contribute some RM 1.2 billion in Gross National Income (GNI) by 2020, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.
The centre is part of the China firm’s strategy to help position Malaysia as a world-class global hub by developing and training 10,000 ICT professionals in the country by 2016, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries last year.
“This facility is designed to provide the latest telecommunications and ICT training to Huawei’s global customers from the Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Latin America,” Najib (picture) said today.
“And it is expected to contribute something like RM1.2 billion in Gross National Income by 2020.”
He said the commitment would be realised through a host of talent programmes such as the Huawei Reference Training Lab in K-Worker Development Centre and the MSC Malaysia MyUniAlliance.
Other development programmes by Huawei include the MSC Malaysia Huawei Scholastic Awards, job camp for fresh graduates and the MyProCert certification programme for working professionals.
“These programmes will ensure that more and more Malaysians are trained and equipped with the latest know-how in telecommunications and ICT. In turn, this will open doors for them in these fields, both internationally and at home.
“As a result, we can benefit from a better trained workforce that will help drive our economy forward on the way towards 2020,” he said.
The training centre, located in Cyberjaya, now has more than 50 dedicated Malaysian training specialists, and Huawei estimates that it will grow to 150 by 2015.
Dai Jingyue, Huawei Malaysia managing director, said the company had been inspired and motivated by the dedication of the government to head towards a knowledge and innovation driven economy.
“We are proud to be able to contribute towards this goal by developing local talents and positioning Malaysia as a world class ICT training hub,” he said in a statement.
Najib said that Huawei’s decision to build its first centre outside of China here was a reflection of its confidence in Malaysia’s increasingly important role in the global marketplace.
“This [development] has not come about by accident, but is instead the direct result of prudent and intelligent stewardship that has seen our country move away from its agricultural roots into a modern and dynamic economic force,” he added.
He urged other private companies to follow Huawei’s footsteps, stressing that Malaysia required sustained contribution from the private sector to become a fully developed nation by 2020.
“Today, we stand on the brink of becoming a developed nation. But as any marathon runner — young or old — will attest, the race doesn’t get any easier as you near the finish line, and is going to be a lot more challenging as we enter a crucial phase in our transformation.
“That is why in making that final push, Malaysia must make every effort to cultivate a knowledge-intensive and innovation-led economy,” he said.
Huawei had also signed MoUs to set up a Huawei University Training Lab in 10 local universities.
Students will be trained in next-generation ICT technologies such as cloud computing and fixed broadband.
