KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil has called on researchers and higher education institutions to strengthen strategic collaborations with local telecommunication companies in order to access industry funding for research and development (R&D). Speaking at the University Research and Innovation Investment Summit 2026 held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, Fahmi emphasized that telcos have dedicated R&D budgets and are willing to support research, particularly in areas related to connectivity and technological innovation.
“Don’t just ask from the ministry; ask also from the telcos. They understand that students and researchers, especially first-year students, are current and future users of their services,” Fahmi said during the plenary session titled “Charting Malaysia’s Path to 2030: Research, Innovation and Investment for National Development.” The session also featured Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi officiating the summit.
Fahmi encouraged universities to deepen collaboration with industry players to generate greater value, especially through the use of artificial intelligence in research. He highlighted the importance of the National Information Dissemination Centres (Nadi), a network of 1,099 centres nationwide, as “living labs” where researchers can test their innovations in rural communities. Each state constituency in Malaysia now has at least one Nadi centre, with Sarawak hosting the most at 156 centres.
Initially established to provide internet access, computers, and basic office equipment, Nadi centres have evolved to offer training that enables rural entrepreneurs to use online platforms such as TikTok Shop and Shopee to grow their businesses. Fahmi cited the example of a woman from Dengkil, Sepang, who reportedly earns an official monthly income of approximately RM45,000 through bun sales conducted both online and offline using skills and resources accessed via Nadi.
The minister pointed out that accessible, affordable, and secure high-speed internet could help curb rural-to-urban migration by allowing individuals to establish sustainable businesses in their hometowns. In addition to internet connectivity, Nadi centres function as community hubs offering services like parcel pick-up and drop-off, skill training in sewing and phone repairs, and assistance with government aid applications including the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR).
Fahmi advised researchers to avoid isolation from real-world challenges, urging them instead to ground their work in practical needs to contribute effectively to Malaysia’s development. His remarks underscore a broader governmental push to integrate innovation, industry collaboration, and rural development in the country’s strategic planning toward 2030.