Axiata Digital Leaders Programme

Targeting high-potential young professionals with an interest and foundational knowledge in digital technology, the Axiata Digital Leaders Programme for Youth empowers participants with the skills, tools and mindset to take their careers to the next level.

Participants enter a collaborative, bootcamp-style environment, benefitting from a comprehensive curriculum, cutting-edge training and hands-on learning. This includes industry challenges set within real-life companies - delivered through partnerships with PwC, Dapor, Yayasan Malaysia, Bank Islam, Skribble, Elsa Talent, and Sun Life Malaysia - exposing them to situations faced at the market, national and regional levels. These experiences build valuable leadership capabilities and give participants the confidence to become drivers of innovation and shapers of Malaysia’s future digital economy.

Over the past two years, two cohorts have graduated from this programme, comprising 77 professionals in 2024 and 64 professionals in 2025.

As one of Axiata Foundation’s flagship initiatives, the Axiata Digital Leaders Programme for Girls addresses the digital gender gap by delivering targeted interventions to enhance digital literacy, online safety and AI readiness among Malaysian girls since its founding in 2022.

Through a combination of interactive workshops and webinars, participants are equipped with future-ready digital skills, with AI as a key area of focus. They also benefit from insights into digital career pathways, an understanding of digital laws, rights and security, as well as greater awareness of responsible online behaviour and digital ethics. These engaging and rewarding learning opportunities are delivered through partnerships with leading corporate organisations including Sun life Malaysia, CelcomDigi, CADS, Mereka, and the Axiata Cyber Fusion Center.

In 2024, the programme focused on empowering women in STEM fields under the theme of “Leadership”. A webinar series delivered in collaboration with Girls for Girls Malaysia reached a total of 2,207 participants, while 72 young women from nine local universities took part in a seven-day residential bootcamp organised in partnership with the Centre of Applied Data Science (CADS). The bootcamp also included a visit to CelcomDigi, deepening participants’ understanding of the digital industry.

In 2025, the programme extended its reach to younger audiences, focusing on digital awareness and responsible technology use. A total of 24 girls aged 13–15 from SMK Lembah Subang and SMK Kampong Jawa participated in in-person sessions covering cybersecurity, digital citizenship and ethical online behaviour, complemented by an exclusive visit to the Axiata Cyber Fusion Center. The programme also featured a webinar attended by 97 participants, which explored generative AI tools, ethical AI use and potential digital career pathways.

The programme has received positive feedback from participants, who reported higher confidence levels following their digital learning experiences. We will continue to develop the programme to further enhance the employability of young women in predominantly male industries such as IT, engineering and technology.