1,247 Participants Attend ‘1 NADI, 1 Prompt Engineer’ Training

By Nabilah Saleh

CYBERJAYA, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- A total of 1,247 participants are undergoing four months of intensive training under the "1 NADI, 1 Prompt Engineer" programme, aimed at developing artificial intelligence (AI) talent within communities nationwide.

National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) Office head at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Dr Mohd Arif Adenan, said the free programme provides participants with practical training and AI certification in collaboration with Google, Multimedia University (MMU) and MIMOS Academy.

"We hope they successfully complete this training and become AI prompt engineers who can serve as points of reference for their respective communities," he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama here.

He said the programme also provided participants with opportunities to pursue freelance careers without having to relocate to urban areas, in line with labour market trends that increasingly favour project- and task-based talent.

"For instance, an AI prompt engineer on Pulau Banggi, Sabah, can generate income and undertake tasks for companies directly from there, thanks to the high-speed Internet access provided by NADI," he said.

Mohd Arif said the primary target group for the programme was individuals aged 40 and below, although the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) also welcomed older participants, with a strong interest in technology serving as a key selection criterion.

Meanwhile, the MCMC is preparing to launch the NADI Academy this October, an initiative that will consolidate all courses into a single ecosystem to facilitate the monitoring and profiling of participants.

He said the academy would use an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system to develop individual profiles based on the courses undertaken, while identifying participants' aptitudes in areas such as entrepreneurship, academics, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and information technology.

"Through the NADI Academy, we can identify their interests and provide guidance on the next steps, whether pursuing studies in business administration, computer science or other suitable fields.

"We want the NADI Academy to serve as a platform for those unable to leave their communities to continue their personal development, remain in their respective areas and contribute to the local economy," he said.

Mohd Arif said the profiling system could also help connect entrepreneurs with relevant agencies, while guiding young people in making informed decisions about suitable educational and career pathways.

Touching on the effectiveness of skills training, he said the NADI Mahir initiative had trained approximately 27,000 participants since last year in various fields, including photography, sewing, cooking, gadget repair and smart farming.

For participants interested in starting businesses, NADI connects them with financing agencies such as TEKUN Nasional and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) to facilitate access to capital assistance.

He highlighted the achievement of 120 alumni of the "Mahir Jahit" (Skilled Sewing) programme, who successfully produced and sold about 3,000 school uniforms to the local community last year.

He said the initiative also allowed families to make staggered payments before collecting the uniforms ahead of the new school term, without having to take out loans or pay interest or additional charges.

"We are not encouraging the community to go into debt. Instead, we want to educate them on financial planning and the importance of starting to save early, rather than waiting until the end of the year when the new school session is about to begin," he said.

The programme's effectiveness has brought new hope to participants, including Nurul Syuhada Rashidi, a single mother from NADI Kanchong Darat in Banting, Selangor.

For Nurul Syuhada, receiving regular orders to sew school uniforms has been a lifeline, helping her rebuild her life after losing her previous source of income.

"My income now reaches RM900 a month, enabling me to support myself and my young child. This programme has not only provided job opportunities but also paved the way for me to get back on my feet and become independent," she said.

A similar success story is shared by Nurul Aini Hayati Rashidi, 23, also from NADI Kanchong Darat, who now earns RM1,400 a month working from home.

Meanwhile, Rosnaniza Hasnan from NADI Peramu Jaya, Pekan, Pahang, earns RM450 a month to help cover her child's university expenses.

Nurul Huda Awang, from NADI Peramu Jaya 3, said the monthly income of between RM200 and RM400 generated through the project helped cover her family's daily expenses, while also allowing her to sew her children's school uniforms herself, thereby reducing back-to-school costs.

-- BERNAMA