KOTA SAMARAHAN: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) has launched its Digital Experience (DEX) Hub, marking a bold strategic leap to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and digital transformation.
The hub, established in partnership with Google, is designed to equip students, educators and the wider Sarawak community with advanced digital and AI capabilities in line with the state’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
UNIMAS Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit described the DEX Hub as more than a physical infrastructure upgrade, saying it represents a strategic milestone in the university’s commitment to building a digitally literate and highly skilled workforce.
“The launch of the DEX Hub is not merely an upgrade to our physical infrastructure; it represents a bold, strategic leap forward,” he said in his speech during the launch today (Aug 5).
Ahmad Hata said the collaboration with Google has enabled UNIMAS to establish the Google Chrome Experience Centre, providing students and lecturers with access to ChromeOS, Chromebooks, Google Workspace and Gemini AI.
The university will also introduce a campus-wide Chrome Grab-and-Go programme featuring an ID-integrated kiosk loan system, allowing students to borrow Chromebook devices and ensuring equitable access to digital learning tools across campus.
He said more than 18,000 students and 2,000 staff will benefit from the initiative by applying AI in teaching and learning, research, data analysis and creative problem-solving.
UNIMAS has also become the first university in Malaysia to successfully certify its staff under the Google Certified Educator programme, with 70 staff members achieving Google Certified Educator Levels 1 and 2.
Beyond the campus, the DEX Hub will serve as a platform for digital literacy workshops, AI training and workforce upskilling programmes to help bridge the digital divide, particularly among underserved communities.
The initiative is supported by industry partners including AI Singapore, the Sarawak Artificial Intelligence Centre (SAIC), Insight Analytics Berhad and Ernst & Young (EY) Consulting, reflecting a collaborative approach between academia, government and industry to advance Sarawak’s digital economy agenda.
