Malaysia’s NADI digital hub model gains global recognition, with Timor-Leste set to adopt the approach under a bilateral MoU.
BATU PAHAT: The National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) has become a model for several countries interested in adopting its digital transformation approach following its success in empowering communities through skills development and entrepreneurship programmes, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
He said NADI, managed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), has undergone a major transformation from being merely a rural cyber café into a community digital development hub.
He said NADI now offers a wide range of modules that benefit local communities, including health screenings, skills training such as mobile phone repair and photography, as well as entrepreneurship programmes that help improve the economic well-being of residents.
“This development has led the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to recognise MCMC and NADI as partners in digital transformation centres.
“This is a significant recognition and, at the same time, many other countries are looking at and trying to emulate the NADI model,” he told a press conference after launching the AI for Community@NADI programme and the Kampung Parit Kemang NADI Centre here today.
The government spokesman said among the countries that have expressed interest in the model is Timor-Leste, which has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Malaysia to enable the NADI approach to be implemented there.
“When we welcomed Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s 11th member, they identified several areas they wish to learn from Malaysia, including the NADI model. Through the MoU that has been signed, we will bring this model to Timor-Leste,” he said.
Fahmi said NADI’s success has also been driven by the availability of high-speed internet at several centres, with some offering speeds of up to 1 Gbps, enabling digital transformation programmes to be implemented more effectively.
In his speech earlier, he said the AI for Community@NADI programme aims to expand artificial intelligence (AI) literacy at the grassroots level while exposing communities to the practical and responsible use of AI.
In this regard, he reiterated the government’s target of producing at least one individual skilled in prompt engineering at every NADI centre nationwide through the programme.
“When they understand and become proficient in prompt engineering, they will have the ability to develop applications that can help communities, including identifying markets and customers for local products,” he said.
The programme is implemented in collaboration with Pepper Labs and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to ensure that communities, particularly at the grassroots level, are exposed to AI skills in line with current technological developments.
It targets the participation of 5,010 people across 167 NADI centres in 10 states, including 17 locations in Johor, to expand inclusive access to AI skills.
Participants will be introduced to AI fundamentals and applications, including prompt engineering, the use of AI for microbusinesses, productivity enhancement, and responsible AI practices.
