BlackBerry and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) have announced a strategic partnership to nurture Malaysia’s next generation of cyber-defenders and embedded software engineers. The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), was signed on 4 November 2025, during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. This partnership aims to enhance Malaysia’s digital talent, industry competitiveness, and regional cyber resilience.
The partnership, witnessed by Malaysia’s Minister of Higher Education, Dato Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, and Canada’s Minister of International Trade, The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, underscores the strengthening ties between Canada and Malaysia. The initiative will provide UKM students and faculty with access to a tiered development programme, focusing on talent research and ethical cyber education.
The MOU outlines a comprehensive framework for cooperation, aiming to advance academic excellence, workforce readiness, and research leadership. It includes industry-relevant cybersecurity and software development training, internships, research grants, and globally recognised certifications for UKM students and faculty. BlackBerry CEO John Giamatteo emphasised the importance of developing a digitally skilled workforce for national security and sustainable economic growth.
Additionally, UKM announced a new initiative, the Trustworthy Professionals programme, in collaboration with BlackBerry and Malaysia’s National Cyber Security Agency. This pilot project will provide cybersecurity training and hands-on experience for up to 50 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, focusing on integrity, ethics, and trust.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to promoting education, research, and innovation in areas crucial to Malaysia’s digital and economic future. By combining UKM’s academic excellence with BlackBerry’s global expertise, the collaboration aims to nurture a new generation of technology leaders equipped with advanced technical knowledge and ethical values.
