BlackBerry and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) have signed a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to nurture the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and embedded software engineers. The initiative aligns with Malaysia’s national digital goals and broader efforts to boost regional cyber resilience across ASEAN.
The signing, witnessed by Malaysia’s Minister of Higher Education Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir and Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, symbolizes a deepening of Malaysia-Canada ties through shared ambitions in digital innovation and education.
The partnership establishes a framework to enhance academic excellence, workforce readiness, and research leadership through cybersecurity and software development training, internships, research grants, and globally recognized certifications. UKM students and faculty will gain access to industry-relevant programs supported by BlackBerry’s expertise.
As such, UKM students and educators will also benefit from the QNX® Everywhere program, which provides free access to BlackBerry’s QNX Software Development Platform (SDP), training resources, and non-commercial licenses. The initiative supports aspiring developers in fields such as robotics, medical technology, and automotive engineering, where QNX software is already trusted by leading manufacturers worldwide.
In addition, UKM, BlackBerry, and Malaysia’s National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA) announced the Trustworthy Professionals program, a pilot project offering cybersecurity training and hands-on experience to 50 underprivileged youths. The program blends academic learning with government and industry expertise, focusing not just on technical proficiency but also on instilling values of integrity, ethics, and responsible digital conduct.
Through these initiatives, UKM and BlackBerry aim to build a foundation for Malaysia’s digital and economic future by developing ethical, skilled professionals ready to meet the evolving demands of the global tech landscape.
