A strategic meeting held at Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Spanish Institute (UniKL MSI) has reinforced national efforts to accelerate the development of Bumiputera participation in Malaysia’s fast-growing semiconductor industry, particularly within the high-value global supply chain.
The discussion brought together key stakeholders, including Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST) Centre, UniKL, and TVET MARA institutions, with a shared focus on strengthening the Bumiputera semiconductor ecosystem through coordinated talent development, research collaboration, and industry alignment.
Central to the engagement was the Wide Bandgap (WBG) Laboratory Initiative, which is expected to enhance Malaysia’s technical capabilities in advanced semiconductor materials.
The initiative aims to support next-generation applications while providing hands-on exposure for students and trainees within the TVET ecosystem.
Participants emphasised the need to build a strong and sustainable talent pipeline to ensure Bumiputera graduates are well-positioned for high-value roles in semiconductor design, fabrication, testing, and related engineering functions.
The collaboration also seeks to strengthen industry-driven training programmes that align closely with global semiconductor requirements.
Beyond education and training, the meeting also addressed the development of Bumiputera Semiconductor Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMEs), to increase their participation in the broader supply chain ecosystem.
This includes opportunities in component supply, testing services, and engineering support roles that are critical to semiconductor manufacturing operations.
The initiative is expected to enhance graduate readiness across TVET MARA institutions, while strengthening Malaysia’s positioning in the global semiconductor value chain, an industry widely recognised as a cornerstone of future economic growth and technological competitiveness.
Representatives at the meeting included Deputy Director-General (Education) of MARA, YBhg. Ir. Dr. Mahzan Teh; MARA State Director of Kedah, En Rizal Effendi Razali; Deputy President (International, Industrial and Institutional Partnerships) of UniKL, Prof. Ir. Dr. Azmi Hassan; R&D Programme Director, CREST, Dr Muslim Mustapa; and Campus Head and Dean of UniKL MSI, Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Nizam Ahmad.
