Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) is strengthening Malaysia’s artificial intelligence (AI) talent pipeline through industry-focused education and training.
The effort supports the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development’s (KKDW) expansion of AI, the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics across its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
The initiative reflects a broader national effort to ensure that TVET graduates possess the advanced digital skills required by industries undergoing rapid technological transformation.
On 29 June 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said the technologies had already been introduced at UniKL and other MARA TVET institutions under KKDW.
Speaking after officiating the ministry’s 2025 Excellent Service and Appreciation Ceremony, he said the coordinated introduction of AI, IoT and robotics would improve graduate employability while strengthening collaboration between educational institutions and industry.
According to him, closer industry collaboration could also enable students to secure career opportunities even before completing their studies.
The move positions UniKL as an important contributor to Malaysia’s future-ready TVET ecosystem, particularly in producing graduates who can apply emerging technologies to real-world industrial challenges.
UniKL’s AI capabilities are anchored by the Centre for Knowledge Artificial Intelligence, Learning & Automation, known as UniKL KAiLA, at Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Information Technology (UniKL MIIT).
Read : Unveiling KAiLA, the icon of UniKL’s AI Centre
The dedicated AI centre serves as a hub for artificial intelligence research, innovation, talent development and industry collaboration. It also provides a platform for students and researchers to explore how AI can be applied across areas such as sustainable development, intelligent automation, digital systems and data-driven decision-making.
UniKL MIIT also offers the Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence Technology with Honours, a specialised programme designed to produce industry-ready AI graduates with strong theoretical foundations and practical competencies.
Complementing UniKL MIIT’s artificial intelligence capabilities, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysia France Institute (UniKL MFI) is advancing robotics and industrial automation through the UniKL Robotics and Industrial Automation Centre (URIAC).
URIAC is a strategic TVET Collaboration Hub initiative under the 12th Malaysia Plan, established to support Malaysia’s robotics and automation ecosystem.
Read : UniKL MFI advances robotics TVET through national collaboration hub
The centre contributes to talent development, applied research, specialised training, industry collaboration, consultancy and technology transfer.
The initiative contributes particularly to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education by expanding access to relevant technological education and future skills.
It also supports SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth through improved graduate employability and digital entrepreneurship, as well as SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by strengthening AI innovation, intelligent technologies and collaboration between universities and industries.
Note: This article was first published by Buletin TV3 on 29 June 2026 and has been adapted with additional information on Universiti Kuala Lumpur’s artificial intelligence education and innovation ecosystem.
