en.Wedoany.com Reported - The National University of Malaysia (UKM) will offer an embedded systems course based on BlackBerry QNX software, becoming the first university in ASEAN to introduce the QNX Everywhere program. Students majoring in computer science and engineering at UKM can choose QNX Everywhere as an elective course, expected to commence later this year, granting them access to the QNX Software Development Platform 8.0.

This collaboration expands BlackBerry's long-standing partnership with Malaysian universities, extending from cybersecurity training to embedded and operating system software in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, semiconductors, robotics, and industrial automation. BlackBerry's software division, QNX, specializes in operating systems and tools for safety-critical and connected systems. Its technology is used by nine of the world's top ten medical device manufacturers and is embedded in over 275 million vehicles.

Course design is underway, involving BlackBerry, QNX, Pi Square Technologies, university management, faculty, and government and industry stakeholders. UKM has opened student registration. The partnership aims to cultivate software engineering talent for Malaysia's industrial modernization plans, with course content aligned with the talent demands of advanced manufacturing and other industries reliant on connected and safety-critical system software.

Malaysia has introduced several policy frameworks to deepen digital transformation and upgrade the industrial value chain, including Industry4WRD, the National 4IR Policy, the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, and the Malaysia Digital 2030 plan. This new course is positioned as a pathway to integrate these policy goals with practical training.

Raj Jain, Vice President of Engineering for BlackBerry QNX and Head of R&D for Asia Pacific, stated that the future of robotics, automotive, and industrial systems is being shaped by "Physical AI"—the integration of artificial intelligence with the real world and safety-critical environments. He noted that through QNX Everywhere, Malaysia's next generation of engineers will gain hands-on experience with a trusted software foundation platform that supports safe, reliable, and real-time systems. Jain expressed that BlackBerry is honored to collaborate with UKM to cultivate a globally competitive talent pool, drive the digital economy, and support Malaysia's Industry 5.0 vision.

For UKM, this initiative is part of its efforts to expand teaching in digital and engineering disciplines. Founded in 1970, the university has in recent years strengthened its teaching in cybersecurity, digital trust, and data protection, while also intensifying related research activities. Incorporating QNX Everywhere into the curriculum gives students direct exposure to software tools used in commercial and industrial environments, helping graduates enter the embedded systems and regulated industries, where familiarity with specialized operating systems can be a competitive advantage.

Prof Dato' Dr Sufian Jusoh, Vice Chancellor of UKM, stated that this move responds to Malaysia's growing demand for software talent. He said the collaboration with BlackBerry continues to break new ground, expanding to meet Malaysia's need for more software engineers to support the future digital economy. UKM is proud to be the first university in ASEAN to include QNX Everywhere in its curriculum, ensuring that Malaysia's future software engineers are not only career-ready but also globally competitive in designing and supporting the world's most critical industries.

This latest initiative follows the previously launched 24-week Cyber Pathways professional certification program. While the earlier program focused on cybersecurity skills, the new program centers on the foundational software used in embedded systems. The QNX Everywhere program has previously covered universities in Canada, the United States, South Korea, India, and Germany. The agreement with UKM gives the program a foothold in ASEAN. Next, the program will enter a curriculum development phase involving the university, BlackBerry, and other participants, with UKM currently conducting student registration.

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