MY E.G. Services Berhad (MYEG), a e-government service provider in Malaysia, has partnered with non-profit organization Yayasan Chow Kit (YCK) to foster digital inclusivity for marginalized youth in and around Chow Kit area in Kuala Lumpur.
MYEG said in a statement on Tuesday that in collaboration with YCK, the firm conducted a Digital Literacy Workshop for youth aged 13-17 years old, aimed at empowering them with essential digital skills and basic artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge.
According to the statement, the workshop covered topics such as safe internet practices, information evaluation, and the creation and sharing of digital content.
The curriculum was tailored to be simple to comprehend, ensuring that participants could easily grasp complex concepts such as cybersecurity, digital ethics, and the basics of AI, and to spark an early interest in technology that could inspire future learning.
Furthermore, it also plays a vital role in safeguarding these youth from rising cyber threats, such as scams and fraud, ensuring their safety.
This effort is a step towards ensuring that all Malaysian youth have the opportunity to become competent digital citizens as we move into the Web3 era.
Cited a study conducted by McKinsey & Co, MYEG said AI is anticipated to contribute up to $13 trillion to the global gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, with the majority of these economic gains stemming from advancements in the workforce.
Additionally, the study highlights that AI is poised to generate millions of new jobs, particularly in high-skilled sectors such as engineering, healthcare, and data science.
“At MYEG, we help digitalize government services and build next generation applications with AI and blockchain technology,” said Mohd Rushdan Khairul Anuar, information technology (IT) Director of MYEG.
“We are here to provide the necessary tools and support to help level the playing field so that every child can develop the skills they need to navigate the future,” he added.
YCK Program Coordinator Jamil Ishak said that education is the key to progress and the most powerful tool the organization has for making a meaningful impact on the world.
“We appreciate MYEG’s support in delivering this workshop, which has helped equip our youth with fundamental digital competencies,
“We want the best for them, and we understand that these fundamental skills are not just for navigating the current digital landscape, but are instrumental to their future success in an increasingly digitized global economy,” he added.
According to the statement, Malaysia has demonstrated progress in fostering digital inclusion, witnessing a significant rise in household internet access from 76 percent to 97 percent in urban areas and from 49 percent to 89 percent in rural areas between 2015 and 2022.
Cited the report, it said the potential widening of the digital economic divide beyond metropolitan regions, posing a risk to the active engagement of consumers in the digital economy across various sectors.
MYEG opined that addressing this issue is crucial, as it could impede Malaysia’s digital economy from realising its full potential, estimated at a $30 billion gross merchandise value by 2025.
Cited the report, it said Malaysia can unlock the full scope of its digital economic growth by removing existing barriers.
Recognizing the significance of this challenge, it said the Malaysian government is already measuring and tackling the digital divide.
It noted that the Mid-Term Review of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP MTR) unveils the development of the Malaysia Digital Inclusiveness Index (MyDID). This index aims to empower policymakers with insights into the extent of the digital divide, enabling them to craft targeted strategies for resource allocation and talent development.
In addition, it said the report also underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing digital literacy and fostering trust in digital adoption, with a specific focus on vulnerable groups.
In response to these goals, it said the government plans to roll out programs and initiatives designed to uplift digital literacy and improve accessibility for these marginalised segments of the population.
MYEG is a Malaysia digital services company. Having commenced operations in 2000 as the flagship e-government services provider, the firm brings solutions spanning the online delivery of major government services to a variety of commercial offerings in the areas of immigration, automotive, healthcare and financial services.
The firm has also recently embraced the potential of blockchain technology. It has operations in key regional markets such as the Philippines and Indonesia.
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