**Hackathon Showcased Malaysia’s Rising AI Talent for the Digital Economy**
The Great Malaysia AI Hackathon 2025, hosted by the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) in collaboration with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Amazon Web Services (AWS), successfully highlighted Malaysia’s growing strength in cultivating AI talent for the digital economy. Officially recognised by ASEAN Records as the largest on-site AI hackathon jointly organised by academia and industry in the region, the event took place on 20 September 2025 at APU’s Technology Park Malaysia campus.
The hackathon attracted a total of 1,741 participants, comprising 1,547 students and 194 industry professionals, representing over 50 institutions. Notably, Malaysian students based at Durham and Cambridge Universities also took part, showcasing the broad reach and impact of the event.
With 20 industry mentors providing guidance and a prize pool of US$26,000 (RM110,000), the hackathon not only set a new record but also underscored Malaysia’s ambition to become a key player in the digital economy through AI innovation.
**Minister Launches Event Emphasising AI’s Importance**
The event was officially launched by Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo, who highlighted the transformative role of AI in society and industry. “AI is already transforming the way we live and work. It starts with data, which must be digitised, stored and shared effectively—supported by computing power to create meaningful solutions,” he said.
He congratulated APU and its partners for their efforts and added, “With our infrastructure, ecosystem, and your creativity, Malaysia can become not just a digital nation, but an AI nation by 2030.”
**APU CEO Highlights Collaborative Effort and Global Leadership**
Datuk Parmjit Singh, CEO of APU, emphasised the collaboration behind the event’s success. “This hackathon reflects the synergy between AWS, APU, and MDEC. The overwhelming response shows the hunger for innovation,” he stated.
He also highlighted APU’s global standing: “With over 16,000 students from 130 countries, we continue to lead in digital education, being among the first in the region to offer a degree in Cloud Engineering.”
“This pioneering spirit, together with our partnership with AWS, reflects our shared vision of empowering the next generation of cloud-ready and AI-focused talent,” Datuk Parmjit added.
**AWS Applauds Talent and Increases Sandbox Credits**
Peter Murray, Head of Asia Pacific and Japan Go-to-Market at AWS, praised the participants as “the future tech leaders of Malaysia, driving AI forward.” During the event, he announced an increase in AWS sandbox credits from US$50 (RM210) to US$100 (RM420), encouraging participants to “think big, build bold, and push ideas further.”
Participants also had access to AWS services such as Amazon Bedrock and Amazon Q, enabling them to leverage cutting-edge AI and cloud technologies throughout the hackathon.
**Supported by Industry and Tech Partners**
The hackathon was supported by MDEC’s Premier Digital Tech Institutions initiative and brought together industry mentors, technology partners, and sponsors including AxrailAI, Crayon, eCloudValley, and GitLab.
The event featured insightful Tech Talks, networking opportunities, and cross-sector collaboration, fostering an environment of innovation and knowledge sharing.
**Malaysia’s Ambition as an AI Powerhouse**
The Great Malaysia AI Hackathon 2025 reinforced Malaysia’s position as a digital frontrunner in the ASEAN region. Setting a benchmark for hackathons, the event showcased the nation’s commitment to becoming an AI powerhouse by 2030.
For APU, AWS, and MDEC, this milestone event marks a significant step in shaping the future of technology in Southeast Asia and nurturing the next generation of AI and cloud computing talent.
https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/digital-economy/apu-leads-asean-record-great-malaysia-ai-hackathon-2025