Tag: #TalentDevelopment

  • Big Stage Jadi Platform Melonjakkan Bakat: Alumni Hargai Sokongan Astro

    Astro terus memperkukuh kedudukannya sebagai peneraju industri hiburan tempatan dengan komitmen berterusan dalam melahirkan bakat baharu seiring perkembangan semasa industri. Melalui program realiti berimpak tinggi seperti Big Stage, Astro bukan sahaja berfungsi sebagai platform pencarian bakat, malah turut menjadi pemangkin utama dalam membentuk perjalanan profesional artis tempatan ke peringkat lebih tinggi.

    Sejak diperkenalkan, program ini telah melahirkan ramai bintang yang kini berjaya menempa nama dalam industri hiburan, termasuk Sissy Iman, Wani Kayrie dan kumpulan ALPHA. Mereka merupakan antara alumni yang memulakan perjalanan seni masing-masing melalui platform Big Stage sebelum berkembang menjadi penghibur yang dikenali ramai.

    Menurut Sissy Iman, Big Stage memberikan ruang kepada peserta untuk menonjolkan identiti unik serta bereksperimen dengan persembahan mereka setiap minggu. Beliau menekankan bahawa kebebasan kreatif yang diberikan membantu artis membina identiti asli, sekali gus menjadikan mereka lebih dekat dengan penonton dan lebih diingati dalam industri hiburan.

    Sissy yang menonjol sepanjang penyertaannya dalam program tersebut berjaya memikat perhatian penonton melalui gaya persembahan yang kreatif dan berani. Pengalamannya dalam Big Stage menjadi titik permulaan penting dalam membina jenama peribadi serta memperkukuh kedudukannya sebagai artis serba boleh.

    Sementara itu, Wani Kayrie pula menyifatkan Astro sebagai platform penting yang banyak membantu perkembangan kerjayanya sejak awal penglibatan dalam program realiti. Beliau mengakui bahawa Astro bukan sahaja membuka peluang pendedahan yang lebih luas, malah turut menyediakan ruang untuk beliau berkembang sebagai penyanyi, pengacara dan personaliti hiburan.

    Perjalanan Wani selepas Big Stage memperlihatkan perkembangan konsisten apabila beliau berjaya mengukuhkan kedudukannya sebagai penghibur serba boleh dalam industri hiburan tempatan.

    Kumpulan ALPHA pula melihat penyertaan mereka dalam Big Stage sebagai peluang penting dalam menghidupkan semula fenomena kumpulan lelaki di Malaysia. Mereka menzahirkan penghargaan terhadap Astro kerana berani mengetengahkan semula format “boy band” yang memberikan nafas baharu kepada landskap muzik tempatan.

    Melalui kekuatan persembahan pentas, harmoni vokal dan karisma kumpulan, ALPHA berjaya menarik perhatian peminat terutamanya generasi muda, sekali gus menjadi fenomena baharu dalam industri hiburan. Kini, mereka terus aktif dengan penghasilan muzik baharu serta penglibatan dalam pelbagai projek seni.

    Astro terus memainkan peranan penting dalam memperluaskan peluang bakat tempatan melalui platform televisyen, digital dan radio. Dengan inisiatif berterusan, Astro berusaha memastikan lebih ramai bakat baharu mendapat ruang untuk berkembang dalam industri hiburan yang semakin kompetitif.

    Program seperti Big Stage kekal menjadi antara platform utama dalam melahirkan generasi baharu penghibur, sekali gus mencerminkan komitmen jangka panjang Astro dalam memperkasa industri hiburan Malaysia.

    Bersempena musim terbaharu, Big Stage x Rocketfuel akan kembali bersiaran dengan lapan episod bermula 28 Jun 2026, setiap Ahad jam 9.00 malam di Astro Ria serta platform digital Astro GO, On Demand dan Sooka, menawarkan lebih banyak peluang kepada bakat baharu untuk bersinar di pentas nasional.

  • YTL Cement’s CDL Academy and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Enter MoU to Strenghen Talent Development and Sustainable Construction Research

    YTL Cement’s CDL Academy and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Enter MoU to Strenghen Talent Development and Sustainable Construction Research

    CDL Academy Sdn. Bhd. (CDL Academy), the learning and development arm of the YTL Cement Group, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) on 9 January 2026 to enhance collaboration in talent development, applied learning, and sustainable construction practices within Malaysia’s engineering sector.

    The MoU was signed by UTM Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim and CDL Academy Chairman Dato’ Sr. Mohd Zaid Zakaria, formalizing an existing partnership between the two organizations. The agreement aims to strengthen industry–academia collaboration by providing students with greater exposure to real-world industry environments and hands-on experience, equipping them for future careers in the construction industry.

    Through this collaboration, UTM and CDL Academy will jointly undertake initiatives such as professional training programmes, student internships, academic exchanges, workshops, seminars, and innovation-driven projects. These efforts will focus on areas including green building materials, advanced construction technologies, and cost management solutions, supporting the evolving needs of the construction and engineering sectors.

    As Malaysia’s leading university in engineering, science, and technology, UTM remains committed to forging strategic partnerships that enhance research outcomes and provide students with meaningful, real-world learning opportunities. The collaboration with CDL Academy reflects UTM’s ongoing efforts to ensure graduates are equipped with relevant skills and industry experience to contribute effectively to national development.

    Since its establishment in 2019, CDL Academy has organized more than 100 seminars and learning engagements, benefiting over 10,000 participants across the construction and engineering ecosystem. This partnership with UTM further expands CDL Academy’s initiatives, supporting the development of industry-ready graduates while addressing emerging demands in sustainable construction and advanced building technologies.

    The MoU will remain valid for three years, with the option for renewal. Coordinators from both organizations will oversee the implementation of programmes to ensure measurable outcomes for students, researchers, and the broader construction industry.

    About CDL Academy Sdn. Bhd.

    CDL Academy Sdn. Bhd. is the professional learning and development platform of the YTL Cement Group, established to support training and talent development in the construction industry. The Academy focuses on cultivating skilled, industry-ready professionals through structured training and practical knowledge-sharing.

    Beyond technical training, CDL Academy serves as a hub for knowledge exchange, innovation, and collaboration, bringing together industry practitioners, academics, universities, associations, and governing bodies through seminars, workshops, training programmes, and strategic partnerships. Through its commitment to quality education and best-practice sharing, CDL Academy aims to strengthen talent pipelines, promote university–industry collaboration, and support the long-term sustainability of the construction ecosystem.

    About Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

    Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is a premier public research university specializing in engineering, science, and technology. With campuses in Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur, UTM is dedicated to producing globally competitive graduates and advancing cutting-edge research that addresses both national and global challenges.

  • PayNet Boosts Malaysia’s Financial Sector Workforce with Second Batch of Cloud-Skilled Graduates

    PayNet Boosts Malaysia’s Financial Sector Workforce with Second Batch of Cloud-Skilled Graduates

    Payments Network Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (PayNet) recently celebrated a significant milestone with the graduation of 50 students from its Program Akar Powered by AWS re/Start, a digital upskilling initiative designed to cultivate cloud-ready talent for Malaysia’s financial services industry. Delivered through World Education Placement Services Sdn. Bhd. (WEPS), Program Akar represents PayNet’s first flagship national initiative aimed at bridging the country’s digital skills gap. The programme equips participants with globally recognized cloud technology and digital payments skills at no cost, preparing them to meet the evolving demands of Malaysia’s financial ecosystem.

    Aligned with the national agenda to strengthen digital talent, highlighted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Program Akar provides young Malaysians with practical skills beyond conventional academic learning, enabling them to thrive in technology-driven roles. Shafenaz Farouk, Chief People Officer of PayNet, emphasized that the programme is creating a robust pipeline of digital-ready talent for the financial sector, empowering participants with industry-relevant skills, hands-on experience, and confidence to contribute immediately to the workforce.

    The second cohort follows the successful pilot at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), where financial institutions such as Bank Negara, Maybank, Public Bank, CIMB, and Bank Islam have expressed interest in internships and job placements for graduates. Participants underwent a 14-week intensive training programme, covering foundational cloud computing, digital payments, and a two-day on-site values-driven development workshop. Graduates received multiple certifications, including the AWS re/Start Certificate of Completion, AWS Cloud Practitioner, Digital Payments Certificate, and Values-Driven Enrichment Programme Certificate, signaling readiness for industry roles.

    Program Akar graduates shared their experiences as cohort participants during the Akar Success Story session

    Hussein Mohd. Ali, Country Manager of AWS Malaysia, highlighted the importance of cloud skills as the backbone for the nation’s next phase of AI-driven transformation in financial services. Program Akar equips participants to contribute effectively in areas ranging from modern digital payments to emerging AI applications, while strengthening Malaysia’s position in the global fintech landscape. WEPS CEO Mughilen Rathakrishnan added that the initiative provides a clear pathway for young Malaysians to enter the workforce with in-demand, future-proof skills.

    With Cohort 2 achieving strong outcomes, PayNet continues to build momentum in nurturing Malaysia’s fintech talent. Through ongoing collaboration with industry partners, Program Akar ensures alignment with sector needs, addressing critical talent gaps and supporting the country’s digital finance ambitions. Globally, AWS re/Start operates in over 60 countries, with 98% of graduates securing interview opportunities, reflecting the programme’s proven impact on shaping a highly skilled, employable workforce.

    For more information on Program Akar, please visit https://www.paynet.my/beyond-payments/community-impact/paynet-akar.html