ST Foundation talks: Meet Norazah Wahab, our Malaysia Country Manager
Welcome to the third edition of ST Foundation Talks, a series connecting you with the inspiring individuals leading ST Foundation initiatives around the world. In this series, we interview our dedicated Country Managers to learn more about their journeys, challenges, and the positive impact they are making in their communities.
Today, we are honored to speak with Norazah, our Country Manager in Malaysia. With nearly three decades of experience at STMicroelectronics and a passionate commitment to digital education, Norazah shares her insights on bridging digital divides, empowering underserved communities, and shaping the future of digital skills in her country.
Can you tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from, and what’s your background?
Hi, I’m Norazah from STMicroelectronics Muar, where I work as the Learning and Development Manager. I’ve been part of the ST Muar family for 29 years now, and since 2013, I’ve also been happily volunteering with ST Foundation. It’s been a rewarding journey both professionally and personally.
What brought you to the ST Foundation? Was there a specific moment or experience that inspired you to join?
I was inspired to join ST Foundation after recognizing the significant digital knowledge gap in Malaysia. This awareness motivated me to contribute more actively to society and help bridge that divide through meaningful initiatives.
What does your role as a country manager involve? What does a typical day look like for you?
I liaise with both internal and external stakeholders, including state and district education departments, as well as collaborating with universities to promote the Digital Unify (DU) programs. On a typical day, I balance my responsibilities as the Learning and Development Manager—ensuring training programs at ST Muar are executed smoothly—with external collaboration efforts to engage with schools, universities, and education authorities in advancing the DU initiatives.
What’s the most rewarding part of your work with the ST Foundation?
I believe it is seeing our impact grow as we reach more communities. It’s especially fulfilling to witness ST Foundation becoming well recognized within the Muar and Tangkak districts and now gaining strong awareness and support from the Johor State Education Department. Knowing that our initiatives are making a meaningful difference and expanding their reach motivates me every day.
Can you share a story or moment from your work that really stayed with you?
A moment that truly stayed with me was when we successfully set up a Digital Unify (DU) Lab at a refugee center in Kuala Lumpur and conducted a Train-the-Trainer program for the Rohingya community. These experiences made me realize the vast potential we have to make a difference by reaching out to underserved groups. It reinforced my belief that there are many more people who can benefit from our programs, inspiring me to continue expanding our efforts.
What are some of the unique challenges you face in your country, and how do you approach them?
Bridging the urban-rural divide is a key challenge, as access to education and technology varies greatly between towns and remote areas. Ensuring our initiatives reach these diverse communities equitably and create meaningful impact requires ongoing effort, adaptability, and a tailored approach. (Read about Coding in rural areas in Malaysia.)
How do you connect with local communities and partners to make an impact?
We connect with local communities by collaborating closely with the Education Departments in the districts of Muar and Tangkak. They help us identify targeted schools for partnership, allowing us to tailor our programs effectively and create a meaningful impact within those communities. This connection is made possible by an incredible team of talented volunteers, coordinated by Nurnazreen Yahya: Hidayat Rahman, Hawa Mohd Shaari, Eddie Iskandar, Lau Choo Chin, Goh Yu Chean, Norlida Othman, Iza Norshahril, Saiffudin, Norzaihan and many others.
Thanks to this growing team, I am optimistic about expanding our reach to another state in Malaysia by next year. What makes it especially fulfilling is the continuous process of learning and relearning as we collaborate closely with our partners to align efforts toward the shared goal of achieving zero digital illiteracy in Malaysia. Although challenges arise along the way, the journey remains both exciting and deeply satisfying.
How do you see the ST Foundation’s work evolving in your country in the coming years?
As technology continues to evolve and connectivity becomes more seamless, the demand for coding and digital skills will increasingly be at the heart of technological advancement. With Malaysia’s strong focus on AI and automation, I believe that our work efforts must adapt and grow to equip future generations with the skills required to thrive in these cutting-edge fields.
I am grateful that since Nurnazreen Yahya joined as our ST Foundation Coordinator two years ago, our activities in Malaysia have become much more streamlined. This year, we have successfully extended our activities to an additional district.
Read some of our exciting stories of Malaysian projects here:
Digital Unify sparks creativity in Malaysian youth during school holidays
Malaysia: celebrating the Parit Setongkat primary school’s 100th anniversary together