Penang rolls out digitalisation programme aimed at Malaysian youths

With the aim of equipping Malaysian youth between the ages of 15 to 35 with the right skills to succeed in a digital economy, Exabytes Network Sdn Bhd and the Penang State Government with Penang Youth Development Cooperation (PYDC) have launched Digitalise Penang for Youth Programme. 

Under this programme, these youth will learn relevant digital skills such as Domain Setup, Web Hosting, VPS and more to help them set up their own online business or fine-tune their programming capabilities for a successful career in the tech industry.

This is in-line with the current shift to the virtual ecosystem in both work and life in general, where online shopping, online banking, virtual payment and the gig economy are growing exponentially and becoming the norm.

“Exabytes has allocated a budget of RM500,000 in terms of digital solution products and services to launch Digitalise Penang for Youth to create  opportunities for youths to grow digitally and kick-off their digitalisation dreams,” said Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Exabytes Network Sdn Bhd, Chan Kee Siak. “This initiative is a step forward in our effort to empower digitalisation among Malaysian youth and give them opportunities to grow digitally and to leave a meaningful footprint in the industry.”

The rollout of this CSR initiative is the start of a concerted approach by the state government to assist and support the community via new job creation and opportunities as well as to nurture the e-commerce and tech industry in Malaysia.

“Digitalise Penang for Youth is also critical in supporting the Penang tech industry and promoting healthy time management among Malaysian youth during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing positive and educational activities through this programme,” Chan added.

The Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) focuses on youth development in areas involving digital technology as skills based on this area are highly in demand in this new era. Therefore, PYDC believes that Digitalise Penang For Youth will develop the youth’s talent in the technology industry and provide exposure along with opportunities for youths to be involved in this field as well. In addition to that, the content that the youths are bound to learn is in line with what the business world needs in the near future. PYDC stands and hopes that the youths in Malaysia will seize this huge opportunity and always strive to improve their skills and knowledge in this highly demanding world of digitalisation. 

“This pandemic has led to an inevitable surge in adopting digital technologies and at the same time speeding up the rate of digitalisation within just a very short period of time,” said Penang State Executive Councillor (EXCO) for Youth and Sports, YB Soon Lip Chee. “As such, our youth especially needs to adapt to this change of environment quickly to encourage growth and remain resilient throughout this tough time where little is known on when this war against Covid-19 will be won. I believe the launching of this digitalisation programme is timely and will be a boost in developing our youth for the future.” 

The programme is also in line with the Penang2030 vision of fostering a digital community in Malaysia’.

Exabytes believes that this private-public sector collaboration is a way to achieve the state government’s goal in ensuring that youth become the main drivers of economic growth in the future.

Digitalise Penang for Youth is open to a total of 1,000 youths between the age range of 15 to 35 years old.

●  Youths who are currently working or unemployed

●  Secondary school-going children in Malaysia

●  Malaysian youths (within the above-stated age range) registered as a student at a college or university in Malaysia, studying web design, web programming or other related courses

The youth will have access to the sponsored programmes for one year. However the campaign will continue to run until the end of 2021 or until the quota is reached. For more information on the programme and for application details, visit www.digitalisepenang.com.