MCMC champions research to bridge Malaysia's digital divide
In his keynote address at the 2025 MCMC Symposium, its chief human resources officer Dr Murugappan Subramanian said that connectivity should not only be fast and extensive, but also inclusive, environmentally responsible and responsive to the real needs of users.
He said that this year's symposium, which drew 400 participants from government, academia and civil society, reflected on the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
"The projects highlighted here are supported under the Digital Society Research Grant (DSRG) programme, which focuses on digital citizenship, cyber wellness and digital inclusion, all aimed at deepening understanding of the human and social factors influencing digital adoption and usage.
"These projects are aligned with national priorities under the 13MP, particularly in strengthening digital leadership and innovation. As Malaysia assumes the Asean chairmanship in 2025, this research also supports regional efforts towards building a connected, inclusive and future-ready digital community," he said.
His speech was read by MCMC Academy head of division, Malini Ramalingam. Also present was the Regional Director of the International Telecommunication Union Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Dr Atsuko Okuda.
Centred on the theme "The Future of Connectivity: Embracing Sustainability and User-Centric Approaches", the symposium provides a platform for dialogue on how research can guide the creation of a more inclusive and forward-looking digital ecosystem.
Organised by the MCMC Academy with support from the DSRG programme, the event showcases research outcomes from the 2024 grant cycle.
This year's studies underscored key national priorities, including sustainable development, digital empowerment and the importance of embedding user needs at the core of policy and infrastructure planning.
Murugappan said that the symposium also served as a forum for researchers, industry players and policymakers to exchange ideas and reinforce Malaysia's digital development agenda.
He said that the research presented further supports MCMC's broader mission of evidence-based policymaking and sector development through initiatives such as the Pelan Jalinan Digital Negara (Jendela).
"This symposium marks a key milestone in the DSRG journey, with the successful completion of its first 2025 cycle, during which 11 projects were awarded.
Building on this momentum, a second cycle will be launched in the latter half of the year, with an expanded research focus and a broader scope that includes requests from the communications and multimedia industry," he added.
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