Collaboration with RTM’s Junior Innovathon 2026 combines foundational AI learning with real-world technology experiences for students nationwide
PETALING JAYA, 20 OCTOBER 2026 – CelcomDigi Berhad (CelcomDigi) is expanding AI and technology capacity building among young Malaysians through its collaboration with RTM’s Junior Innovathon 2026, giving participating students practical exposure to AI and emerging technologies as they develop their own innovation ideas.
As the programme’s official telco partner, CelcomDigi hosted 200 primary and secondary school participants nationwide for a customised AI workshop to build foundational knowledge, followed by an immersive tour to the CelcomDigi AI Experience Centre (AiX) to experience real-world AI solutions first-hand.
CelcomDigi’s Acting Chief Innovation Officer Kugan Thirunavakarasu said, “Young Malaysians are growing up as digital natives. Our role is to create more opportunities for them to explore technology beyond everyday use, understand its possibilities and develop the confidence to create with it. The earlier we can spark that interest, the more opportunities we create to nurture the future-ready AI talent Malaysia will need.”
To encourage students to put this thinking into practice, CelcomDigi is also introducing the Tech for Impact Award as part of Junior Innovathon 2026. The award encourages participants to consider how technology can strengthen their ideas, solve a problem or create meaningful impact.
One primary and one secondary school will receive the award, with each winning school receiving CelcomDigi Essential 5G Home WiFi (100Mbps) for two years to support continued digital learning and exploration. CelcomDigi will also participate in the final judging panel on 1 November 2026.
RTM Junior Innovathon 2026 brings together primary and secondary school students nationwide to develop ideas and compete in STEM-based innovation challenges. CelcomDigi’s collaboration with RTM extends the learning journey with practical AI and technology exposure, connecting what students are developing through the competition with how emerging technologies are being applied in the real world.
The initiative builds on CelcomDigi’s broader commitment through CD:NXT to develop Malaysia’s next generation of digital talent, by expanding access to knowledge, skills and real-world technology experiences and contributing towards a future-ready AI talent pipeline for Malaysia.
