12 Sep 2023
Empowering Malaysia’s Youth: Yayasan Telekom Malaysia Expands TM Future Skills Programme
BATU PAHAT, 12 September 2023 – TM, through its corporate responsibility arm, Yayasan TM (YTM), collaborates with two more secondary schools in Peninsula Malaysia to expand its TM Future Skills (TMFS) programme. The programme aims at enhancing digital skills among students from B40 or low-income families by integrating digital technologies into their learning experiences.
The newly included schools – SMK Dengkil in Selangor and SMK Tunku Putra in Johor join the programme after the successful launch of the first TMFS school, SMK Gunung Semanggol in Perak last November. These schools were selected because they have the highest percentage of B40 students in their districts and are actively engaged in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities.
“At TM, we hold a firm belief in the pivotal role of Malaysian youth in propelling the nation’s growth and societal advancement. As an organisation that has been instrumental in the establishment of Digital Malaysia, we remain unwavering in our commitment to nurturing the next generation as drivers of our digital economy and the ongoing Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0). The TMFS programme fulfils this commitment by equipping students with digital skills, while emphasising on leadership, design thinking, and cognitive abilities,” said Ainol Shaharina Sahar, Director of YTM during the TMFS launching ceremony at SMK Tunku Putra recently.
“In addition, we are optimistic that the partner schools will evolve into educational hubs, effectively disseminating the knowledge and skills acquired to neighbouring schools and students. We hope that through this approach, it will ignite the students’ interest in pursuing tertiary education in technology and digital fields, thus empowering them with skills vital for Malaysia’s future workforce,” added Ainol.
To enhance the immersive learning experience, YTM is establishing TMFS Digital Hubs at these partner schools. These hubs are equipped with resources such as PocketLab, robotics kits, 3D printers, smart TVs, desktop computers, and digital learning content. This hands-on setup aims to spark students’ interest in digital exploration.
Highlighting the comprehensive approach of the TMFS programme, Ainol expressed, “We are delighted to witness the holistic growth within all TMFS Schools, which encompasses the development of diverse skills ranging from urban farming and vocational training to entrepreneurship. As we continue our journey to identify more potential schools nationwide, we envision unearthing more remarkable talents that will contribute to the nation’s growth while aligning Malaysia with the forefront of digital innovation.”
The event was also graced by Azman Mashuri, Deputy Director of School Planning & Management Sector 2, Ministry of Education Malaysia, who expressed enthusiasm for such collaborations between the private sector and educational institutions. Azman emphasised the importance of providing exposure to digital technologies in rural schools and predicted that initiatives like TMFS will stimulate students to explore their capabilities beyond conventional academics, subsequently driving an increased interest in STEM-related fields.
YTM has remained steadfast in its commitment to promoting STEM-oriented programmes since 2014, encompassing disciplines such as robotics, 3D modelling, coding, and big data analytics. In 2020, these modules coalesced into the comprehensive TMFS programme, meticulously designed to align with the Ministry of Education’s syllabus and the IR4.0.
To date, YTM’s STEM-related endeavours, including the TMFS programme, have benefited over 15,000 students and educators across more than 500 schools throughout the nation. This remarkable endeavour is not just nurturing individual futures, but also cementing Malaysia’s position as a digital frontrunner on the global stage.
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TM ONE AND SARAWAK DIGITAL ECONOMY CORPORATION (SDEC) BERHAD EXTEND COLLABORATION TO SPUR STATE’S DIGITAL ECONOMY
KUALA LUMPUR & KUCHING, 26 DECEMBER 2024 – TM One, TM’s enterprise and government sector solutions arm, and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (SDEC) have announced the next phase in their strategic partnership to elevate Sarawak’s digital economy, digital society, and government services through enhanced connectivity. The parties recently exchanged a master service agreement to expand Sarawak’s digital infrastructure, aimed at enhancing connectivity and accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies and smart services in driving the state’s digital transformation. The collaboration aligns with the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy and Post-COVID Development Strategy 2030. This collaboration includes TM One’s Metro-E solution, a flexible, secure, and high-performance bandwidth connectivity scalable to up to 10 Gbps. Its dedicated access for critical applications, proactive security monitoring and nationwide coverage addresses the service levels needed for enterprises and government agencies alike. Shazurawati Abd Karim, TM One’s Executive Vice President, said, “We are pleased to partner with SDEC in advancing Sarawak’s digital transformation. The Metro-E project will bolster Sarawak’s digital economy, fostering innovation, improving access to digital services and bridging the digital divide across locations. High-speed connectivity at these 81 sites is essential for the adoption of advanced technologies, improving customer experiences and operational efficiency. This collaboration solidifies TM One’s commitment to Sarawak’s sustainable long-term growth and digital aspirations, aligning with the state’s 2030 strategies.” The five-year project will also deliver high-speed internet connectivity to underserved and rural areas, supporting key sectors such as education, healthcare, and local businesses. This will facilitate cloud computing, telemedicine, online education, and a variety of other digital solutions, furthering Sarawak’s digital progress. The partnership reaffirms TM One and SDEC’s commitment to transform Sarawak, empowering local communities and businesses, as well as enhancing government services through digital technologies. This collaboration is another milestone in TM’s commitment to enabling Malaysia’s digital transformation and to lead industry growth through digitalisation and sustainability, a pivotal part in TM’s efforts towards becoming a Digital Powerhouse by 2030.
Nurturing future digital leaders through YTM Future Skills Champion Schools
Enhances its adopted schools programme to be more holistic by embedding digital technology and leadership skills TM, through Yayasan TM (YTM), recognises the need to equip the next generation with the digital and technology skills required for Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0). In view of this, in 2014, YTM began its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) oriented programmes, such as robotics, 3D modelling, coding, and big data analytics, to promote those subjects amongst students and education communities at schools nationwide. In 2020, the modules were conslidated into TM Future Skills (TMFS) programme, with the aim of making it more comprehensive and beneficial to the intended participants. The programme was tailored to the syllabus outlined by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and covered the nine (9) pillars of the IR4.0. It has been receiving positive feedback from the teachers and students involved and more schools have requested to be part of the programme. Supporting MOE’s aspiration for digital education transformation, YTM continues to spread the positive impact of TMFS in a more structured approach. Towards this end, the foundation has embarked on TM Future Skills Champion School (TMFS School) initiative, as a continuation of the TM School Adoption Programme with enhanced contents. TMFS Schools foster future digital skills by embracing digital technology in its classroom activities where leadership, design thinking and cognitive abilities were emphasised to prepare the students for future employment. SMK Gunung Semanggol (SMKGS) in Perak, with more than 90% of its students from B40 families, was selected as the first TMFS School, aligned with YTM’s aspiration to assist B40 students in rural areas. To further facilitate the initiative, YTM is establishing TMFS Digital Hub at TMFS Schools where the schools will be equipped with a PocketLab, robotics set, 3D printer, smart TV, desktop, and digital learning content to gain more interest from its students as well as the neighbouring schools. "SMK Gunung Semanggol was identified based on its active involvement in various STEM initiatives, including previous TMFS programmes. The school also has passionate and dedicated teachers, where they adopt integrated and innovative approach for more in-depth understanding of the modules among the students. With such exposure and capabilities, we are confident that SMK Gunung Semanggol is able to play the role as a hub to spread the digital technology knowledge to more students and teachers including at the five (5) neighbouring schools, and approximately over 20 secondary schools in the Kerian district," said Izlyn Ramli, Director of YTM, during the launching ceremony of TMFS School in November 2022. Throughout this three-year programme, YTM, together with its strategic partner, Creative Minds, will work with Multimedia University (MMU), Yayasan Universiti Multimedia (YUM), TM Perak, and other YTM's partners to design and deliver engaging programmes providing the tools and support for students in rural schools to flourish. "We are also happy to see that SMK Gunung Semanggol promotes the development of other skills, such as urban farming and entrepreneurship, to empower the local communities sustainably. So as we continue to identify more potential schools in more states of Malaysia, we hope this programme will unearth more talented students towards building a competitive and sustainable community in the future," she added. Salmah Iman, the Principal of SMK Gunung Semanggol, expressed her enthusiasm, "We feel honoured and privileged to be chosen as the first TMFS School in the Northern Zone and Malaysia. We are excited and look forward to share the positive impact of this programme with the nearby schools. As we are committed to ensuring that this programme achieves its goals, we are also confident that YTM's support and assistance will help these students be prepared for future employment and enhance their standard of living." At the event, Bakri Arsad, Chief Assistant Director of Mathematics and Science, Learning Sector, Perak State Education Department, said, "We welcome such initiatives through collaboration with the private sector, especially for rural schools that need exposure to digital technology. These programmes will inspire students to explore their potential beyond academics and increase the number of students choosing STEM-related fields." During the launch, guests had the opportunity to visit the Pusat Sumber Sekolah Pendeta Za'aba and experience content and materials created by the students based on specific themes including unique handicrafts and martial arts performances. Guests toured the school's urban farm, where they sampled delicious cuisine prepared by students from the special education class using produce from the farm. SMK Gunung Semanggol provided a wonderful ambience of positive vibes that attract students' engagement and boosted their creativity. To date, STEM-related programmes by YTM, including TMFS, have benefited over 15,000 students and teachers from over 500 schools across the country. With the support and assistance of various interested partners, we hope this initiative will spark students' interest in pursuing their tertiary studies in technology and digital fields and equip the young generation with future-proof skills relevant to the future workforce.
TM Future Skills Programme continues with a project based learning e-showcase event
Two (2) schools participated in E-Showcase PBL-TM Future Skills 2020, the highlight of a 3-month online learning programme for teachers and students of the schools Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) continues its efforts to equip the younger generation with Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0)-centric knowledge through initiatives under its TM Future Skills programme. Most recently, students from Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Jalan Davidson, Kuala Lumpur and SJKC Tsun Jin, Kuala Lumpur demonstrated their talents in 3D programming and printing skills in a two (2)-days online event held in collaboration with Bangsar / Pudu District Education Office (PPDBP). The event, titled E-Showcase Project Based Learning (PBL)-TM Future Skills 2020, saw the participation of 60 teachers and students from both schools. The students showcased their 3D innovation projects and at the same time, shared and displayed their knowledge and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. Izlyn Ramli, Vice President, Group Brand and Communication, TM, said: “We are delighted with the schools’ acceptance and active participation in the TM Future Skills Programme. Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes under the education pillar are always aimed at supporting the nation’s education system towards preparing not only the students, but also the teachers and society at large, with IR4.0 skills. We hope this programme will help to enhance the students' future skills and increase their interest in STEM subjects. This befits our role as a responsible nation builder where we will continue to serve and enable Digital Malaysia through innovative and inclusive digital solutions.” Teah Lay Theng, Headmistress of SJKC Jalan Davidson, said: “The PBL approach was chosen for the programme as it can bring out the most from the students in terms of innovation and creativity. The use of digital equipment is also able to improve the digital skills and competencies of our students in producing the innovations.” Meanwhile, Ng Mooi Hong, Headmistress of SJKC Tsun Jin, said: “In the current pandemic environment, teachers need to be creative in imparting knowledge and running the programmes that can develop the potential of our students. With this programme, we hope to inoculate the interest, highlight the potentials and empower the students with STEM subjects.” The E-Showcase PBL-TM Future Skills 2020 was the highlight of three (3) months long online learning programme for teachers and students of the two (2) schools. Throughout the programme, the teachers and students from both schools learned about digital technology in TM 3Ducation – the 3D printing module to be implemented in their PBL. Due to the ongoing pandemic Covid-19, TM’s strategic partner for TM Future Skills, Creative Minds, conducted the training sessions for all the teachers and students, including parents, through an online platform. Not being in class physically following the closure of schools nationwide has also not deterred these young innovators. They persevered in conducting research and continued to experiment and collaborated with each other virtually for the past 3 months. At the same time, School Improvement Specialist Coach (SISC+) from PPDBP closely supervised the activities and monitored the progress of the participants. Streamed live via YouTube, the E-Showcase garnered more than 6,000 viewers throughout the 2-day event and the channel has cumulated more than 7,800 views to date. The panel of judges for the E-Showcase consisted of SISC+ from PPDBP and led by Izad Ismail, Head of Corporate Responsibility, TM. TM Future Skills programme is an initiative that aims to empower students by equipping them and teachers with IR4.0-centric kits and knowledge, such as the TM 3Ducation – 3D printing module and the TM Nano Maker, a real-time data logging tool for STEM. This is to prepare them to be part of a digital-ready community and future-proof workforce which has always been one of the pillars under TM’s Digital Malaysia aspiration. As a key enabler of this, TM has always been an avid supporter of innovation and technology in Education. Through programmes like TM Future Skills, the Company endeavours to empower the leaders of tomorrow with relevant skills in innovation and technology towards serving a more digital society and lifestyle, digital businesses and industry verticals, as well as digital Government. For more information on the Company's other Corporate Responsibility initiatives, visit www.tm.com.my.
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