The future of education is no longer confined to lecture halls. Across the globe, universities are transforming into innovation ecosystems where students develop the skills, mindset, and agility to navigate a rapidly evolving, AI-driven world. At Multimedia University (MMU), this transformation is in full stride.

At the Malaysia Digital Xceleration (MDX) Summit 2025, Malaysiakini and Digital News Asia hosted a fireside chat with Prof. Dato' Dr. Mazliham Mohd Su’ud, President and CEO of Multimedia University. He shared how MMU is shaping the future of talent for Malaysia’s AI-driven economy, highlighting the university’s initiatives to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in the digital era.

Embedding AI Across Every Discipline

When MMU was established back in 1996, its vision was to build a talent pipeline for Malaysia’s digital future. 

“From coding and software engineering to IR4.0, digital technology has always been in our DNA. As we enter the AI era, it is only right for MMU to claim its place as the nation’s AI hub. Today, all 10 of MMU’s faculties with 99 academic programmes are embedded with AI, contrasting most institutions that treat AI as a standalone course,” said Prof Mazliham.

From law students trained to become “AI lawyers,” to animation students harnessing AI as a creative tool, and strategic communication students learning to apply it in shaping narratives and engagement, MMU embeds AI across disciplines, ensuring every graduate, regardless of field, is equipped with the competencies to thrive.

By positioning itself as Malaysia’s AI hub, MMU prepares students not just to “use AI,” but to work in tandem with it, navigating an AI-powered economy.

Preparing Students for the AI Era

While AI often sparks concerns about job displacement, it also creates new opportunities. The key is not to compete with AI, but to use it as a tool.

“At MMU, our approach is to prepare students to face the reality of the future. Being “future-ready” means acquiring the competencies needed to excel in their careers, and we achieve this by exposing students to the current challenges and demands of the industry,” said Prof Mazliham.

To bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, MMU launched the iCadet program. From their second year, students engage directly with industry partners such as Telekom Malaysia, Maybank, Malaysia Aviation Group, and many more, gaining hands-on experience in real workplace scenarios. 

Unlike traditional internships limited to a few months in the final years of study, iCadet immerses students in real working environments throughout their education. This early and continuous engagement equips students with practical skills, industry insights, and adaptability demanded by the AI era.

MMU has also restructured its academic offerings to align with emerging industry needs. Recently, the university renamed its faculty as the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence and Engineering (FAIE). Rooted in MMU’s strong engineering legacy, FAIE places Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the heart of its academic pathways, offering specialised undergraduate programmes in Intelligent Robotics and Applied AI.

At the same time, traditional AI, such as large language models and software applications, is embedded within programmes offered by the Faculty of Computing and Informatics and the Faculty of Information Science and Technology. This approach creates a balance between practicality and theory, equipping students for diverse career pathways.

Ethics and Character Form the Foundation

Qualities such as integrity, reliability, and leadership are seen as equally essential to long-term success as technical skills. That is why MMU integrates professional certification into its training, giving students industry-recognised credentials that demonstrate their capabilities and build trust with future employers. “Trust comes from reliability, honesty, and competence. Without these, you cannot build trust,” said Prof Mazliham.

Character-building is central to MMU’s curriculum. First-year students take modules on ethics, integrity, and leadership, enriched by industry leaders who bring real-world insights into the classroom. The university’s values-driven identity, GEMS — Generosity, Ethics, Mindfulness, and Sociability, provides a framework to cultivate these qualities, ensuring students not only develop technical expertise but also the personal attributes employers consistently seek.

Through this combination of skills, values, and character development, MMU produces graduates its community proudly calls Permata Dunia — “Gems of the World” — who stand out for both their professional competence and their integrity, reliability, and leadership.

A Call to Lead in the AI Era

Looking ahead, Prof Mazliham envisions MMU students not merely as passive learners, but as pioneers actively shaping Malaysia’s digital economy. 

“We are at the beginning of a new era. Everyone is starting from the same point. This is the time for our students to explore, experiment, and grow into experts. We don’t just wait for the future, we build it together,” he said.

With a 26-year legacy rooted in digital innovation and a bold vision for the AI era, MMU continues to position itself as a leading force in cultivating Malaysia’s next generation of professionals — graduates ready to thrive, lead, and redefine what is possible in the age of artificial intelligence.