Hackathon Showcases Malaysia’s Rising AI Talent for the Digital Economy
The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), in collaboration with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Amazon Web Services (AWS), has successfully hosted the Great Malaysia AI Hackathon 2025. Officially recognised by ASEAN Records as the largest on-site AI hackathon jointly organised by academia and industry in the region, the event marks a significant milestone in Malaysia’s digital transformation journey.
Held on 20 September 2025 at APU’s Technology Park Malaysia campus, the hackathon attracted an impressive total of 1,741 participants. This included 1,547 students and 194 industry professionals representing more than 50 institutions. Notably, Malaysian students based at prestigious universities such as Durham and Cambridge also took part, highlighting the event’s wide reach and appeal.
With the support of 20 industry mentors and a prize pool of US$26,000 (RM110,000), the hackathon not only broke records but also underscored Malaysia’s growing prowess in cultivating AI talent essential for driving the digital economy forward.
Minister’s Vision for AI in Malaysia
Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo officially launched the event, emphasising the critical role of AI in shaping 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 further congratulated APU and its partners, adding, “With our infrastructure, ecosystem, and your creativity, Malaysia can become not just a digital nation, but an AI nation by 2030.”
APU’s Commitment to Innovation and Education
APU CEO Datuk Parmjit Singh highlighted the spirit of collaboration behind the hackathon’s success: “This hackathon reflects the synergy between AWS, APU, and MDEC. The overwhelming response shows the hunger for innovation.”
He also underlined 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.”
AWS Supports Future Tech Leaders
Peter Murray, head of Asia Pacific and Japan Go-to-Market at AWS, praised the talent on display during the hackathon: “You are the future tech leaders of Malaysia, driving AI forward.”
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 their ideas further. During the event, participants enjoyed access to AWS services such as Amazon Bedrock and Amazon Q, providing them with powerful tools to innovate.
Collaboration and Community Building
Supported by MDEC’s Premier Digital Tech Institutions initiative, the hackathon brought together industry mentors, technology partners, and sponsors including AxrailAI, Crayon, eCloudValley, and GitLab. The event also featured Tech Talks, networking opportunities, and fostered cross-sector collaboration.
This landmark event not only highlighted Malaysia’s position as a digital frontrunner in ASEAN but also set a benchmark for hackathons in the region, reinforcing the nation’s ambition to become an AI powerhouse by 2030.
A Milestone for Southeast Asia’s Tech Future
For APU, AWS, and MDEC, the Great Malaysia AI Hackathon 2025 marks an important milestone in shaping the future of technology across Southeast Asia, nurturing the talent and innovation needed to drive the region into the next era of digital advancement.