UK's semiconductor design giant Arm may train 10,000 Malaysian engineers over a decade

New Straits Times

28-07-2025

SUBANG JAYA: A total of 10,000 local engineers are expected to be trained over the next decade under a landmark initiative by UK-based semiconductor design giant Arm and Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia (ASEM).
The Arm On-Demand training programme is aimed at building Malaysia's high-tech talent pipeline and accelerating its position in the global semiconductor industry.
It is designed to equip Malaysian engineers with advanced skills in semiconductor design and development, particularly in front-end integrated circuit (IC) design.
The initiative aligns with the country's broader ambition to transition from traditional assembly roles towards innovation-led activities such as chip design, intellectual property (IP) creation and advanced R&D.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the programme aims to create a new generation of future-ready professionals who can design chips, build companies, and compete on the world stage.
"This is more than just training, it's about creating future-ready professionals who can design chips, build companies, and compete globally," Amirudin said at the launch here today.
The programme targets 1,000 participants annually, with the first batch of 400 engineers already enrolled and each course typically spans three to four months and features intensive, industry-relevant modules.
Amirudin said Selangor is working with 20 universities including Monash University Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) through their respective engineering faculties.
The event was also attended by key figures including Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong, Selangor exco for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han and Monash University Malaysia president and pro vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman.
Industry players including Arm and MyStorage are also involved with graduates from earlier pilot cohorts have already received multiple job offers, with companies actively selecting top-performing candidates for employment.
To ensure the programme's sustainability and impact, the Selangor state government has committed between RM5 million and RM10 million annually to support front-end semiconductor development.
Meanwhile, the government - through the Economy MInistry - has increased its support from RM60 million to RM100 million, signalling strong national-level confidence in the initiative with total investments projected to exceed RM100 million over the next decade.
Amirudin believes that the broader goal is to move Malaysia and Selangor in particular up the semiconductor value chain, shifting from traditional roles in assembly and packaging toward becoming a hub for chip design, IP creation and advanced R&D.
"We must move towards owning the intellectual property so that these chips are not just labelled 'Assembled in Selangor', but 'Designed in Selangor', 'Made in Malaysia'," said Amirudin.
He added that as global protectionism rises and old economic models break down, Malaysia must position itself as a creator not just a manufacturer of technology.
"We can no longer afford to be a bit-part player in an industry that will shape the world economy for the next 30 years."
Amirudin also said the ambitions will be detailed in Selangor Plan 2, set to be launched next year.
He expressed confidence that semiconductor and E&E engineering will be prioritised under the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan, to be announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 31.