KUALA LUMPUR, November 4 – Twenty student teams from four Malaysian universities have reached the grand finale of AWS CendekiAwan after developing Generative AI solutions to address real-world challenges.
The event, organised by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and technology company Elitery, was held at Universiti Malaya (UM).
The finalists presented projects powered by Amazon Bedrock. Their ideas focused on areas such as education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, financial inclusion and public services.
Building Practical AI Skills Among Students
AWS CendekiAwan is a collaborative programme designed to help students develop skills that match the needs of the digital industry.
It goes beyond classroom learning by giving participants hands-on experience in cloud computing, application development and Generative AI.
The programme began at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU). It later expanded to Multimedia University (MMU), Nilai University and Universiti Malaya.
Through self-learning sessions, workshops and project showcases, students used AWS tools such as PartyRock, Kiro and Amazon Bedrock to build working prototypes.
The initiative also welcomed participants from both technology and non-technology backgrounds.
Five Categories Highlight Student Innovation
The 20 finalist teams presented their projects across five key categories:
- Smart Education: Improving learning experiences and accessibility.
- Digital Health: Supporting healthcare and personal well-being.
- Sustainable Environment and Climate: Developing solutions for environmental challenges.
- Financial Inclusion and SME: Improving financial access and supporting small businesses.
- GovTech and Social Impact: Strengthening public services and community inclusion.
These projects show how Generative AI can be used to address practical needs faced by individuals, businesses and communities.
Industry and Government Support Digital Talent Development
AWS and Elitery said the programme reflects their commitment to developing a skilled and future-ready AI workforce in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
Daniel Zhang, AWS Regional Data Center Operations Leader for Malaysia, said the initiative encourages students to use AI to solve challenges affecting communities.
He highlighted the importance of turning technical knowledge into practical solutions for areas such as education, healthcare and public services.
Representatives from Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) also attended the showcase.
DBKL representative Ts. Kamariah binti Kamarudin said the programme supports Kuala Lumpur’s vision of becoming a prosperous city for all by 2030. She highlighted the importance of talent development, stronger capabilities and knowledge sharing.
Meanwhile, Elitery President Director Kresna Adiprawira said the programme helps students move beyond understanding AI concepts. It gives them opportunities to build applications that respond to real-world problems.
Preparing Malaysia for a Digital Future
The AWS CendekiAwan initiative demonstrates the growing role of collaboration between technology companies and universities in developing digital talent.
By giving students access to practical tools and project-based learning, the programme aims to strengthen their ability to create useful AI applications.
As Generative AI continues to influence different industries, these skills could help prepare Malaysia’s next generation for a more technology-driven economy.
Source : PR NEWSWIRE | Rewritten By Minutesmy
