27 Dec 2022
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.
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CONSOLIDATION OF TM’S BUSINESS IN MALAYSIA INTO TM TECH TO STRENGTHEN CONVERGENCE LEADERSHIP AND IMPROVE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY
Following the earlier communication on 14 December 2022, Telekom Malaysia Berhad (“TM”) today announced the internal reorganisation of its business in Malaysia into a single operating entity named TM Technology Services Sdn Bhd (“TM Tech”) following the approval of various bodies, including the High Court of Malaysia and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. Effective today, 1st March 2023, Telekom Malaysia Berhad will serve as an investment holding company for this single operating entity (TM Tech), along with other wholly owned subsidiaries, covering TM’s international, digital, education, support business and other non-wholly owned subsidiaries. This group in totality will continue to be governed by the current TM’s Board of Directors and managed by the same Senior Management team. The reorganisation into TM Tech – which includes Unifi, TM One and TM Global, amongst others – marks the next phase of TM’s transformation that will reinforce its fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) position, further improve operational efficiencies and deliver a more seamless customer experience. Resource-wise, the reorganisation brings together the diverse talents, facilitating greater cross-functional collaboration and agility through more streamlined and simplified processes. Group CEO of TM, Dato’ Imri Mokhtar explained, “As customer demand, increasing competition and stakeholder expectations reshape the industry, it is timely to consolidate our telco business in Malaysia into a single operating entity that will allow us to serve our diverse customer segments better and quicker, as well as drive operational efficiency.” “We have recently notified all of our valued customers on this internal reorganisation via email and digital letters. At this point, for all payment transactions - the beneficiary name will now be “TM Technology Services Sdn Bhd” instead of “Telekom Malaysia Berhad”. All other payment details remain the same, such as the bank account and JomPAY code,” Imri added. “The success of TM to shape a Digital Malaysia through technology that empowers communities, businesses and Government truly lies in our Warga TM. With majority of Warga TM realigned into this single operating entity, the individual job functions, entitlements and benefits will remain unchanged. Similarly, all of TM’s current obligations in terms of partnerships, vendor and service agreements will remain in effect.” “We believe this reorganisation will strengthen TM’s role in advancing the country’s digital economy and to serve our growing customers in a more cohesive manner. It will reinforce TM’s competitive edge, solidifying our transition towards being a human-centred TechCo,” Imri concluded.
Yayasan TM in collaboration with CENDANA transforms Muzium Telekom into engaging public digital arts space as part of art in the city's inaugural KLWKND
Through the marriage of technology and arts, Yayasan TM (YTM) continues its ongoing mission to preserve and celebrate the nation's arts, culture and heritage by transforming Muzium Telekom into an engaging public digital arts space, thanks to a ground-breaking collaboration with the Cultural Economy Development Agency (CENDANA). The collaboration is in support of the agency's Art In The City Programme, via its inaugural KLWKND event. KLWKND is a series of exciting events happening from 25 to 28 November 2021 created to make arts and culture accessible to all walks of life. KLWKND is set to transform downtown KL into a vibrant, truly immersive hub for creativity, arts and culture with various activities planned, all throughout the four (4) day programme including dance, music, opera, fashion, architecture, food, visual arts, design, creative products, traditional crafts, literature, history and more. In amongst the activities, YTM is honoured to be part of KLWKND placing Muzium Telekom as the centrepiece where art meets technology. The 93-year old heritage building will be transformed as SITULAH, a public digital arts showcase. Since 1994, the museum has been showcasing the history and evolution of telecommunications in Malaysia. Befitting the times, YTM aims to reinvigorate this beautiful historic building as an engaging hub that connect the dots across the many facets within the TM Group, showcasing talents from Multimedia University (MMU) students, alumni and faculty in digital, creative and cinematic arts as well as TM's heritage and innovation in telecommunications. True to its collaborative spirit, YTM is working with CENDANA together with Joe Sidek Productions and other esteemed figures in the arts community including gifted visual and performing artists; whilst supporting local Food & Beverage businesses during the festival period and beyond. Muzium Telekom as SITULAH at KLWKND carries the exhibition theme of Traverse – Motions Through Time, a showcase of art and technology traversing without borders across time, mediums and cultures, in a vibrant interdependent ecosystem. As the visitors move through the museum, the artworks will guide them through an exploration into the past, present and future. Addressing the transformation of telecommunication institutions (TM Group, Muzium Telekom and MMU) in the age of digital evolution, contained within four (4) chapters: ENTER, INTER(IN)VENTION, RETROSPECT, and EXPERIENCE. 'Traverse' asks the visitors - how do these historical shifts in the mediation of our perception reflect our beliefs in the function of these institutes in our media society. At 'Traverse – Motions Through Time' while the artists are embracing the new form of art-making, expressing their ideas in a novel and ingenious ways, YTM take the opportunity to inform the public of the emerging creative practices by encouraging public participation, reflection and immersive engagement with the new content produced by MMU students, faculty and alumni. Besides digital and creative arts, TM R&D and TM ONE also showcase their latest technology and innovations. Today, the exhibition hosted a VVIP walkabout, graced by YB Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin, Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia, accompanied by Dato' Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahim Haji Daud, YTM Board of Trustees Member; Izlyn Ramli, Director of YTM; Dr. Sharlene Thiagarajah, Chief Executive Officer of TM Research & Development (TM R&D); Ainol Shaharina Sahar, Chief Executive Officer of Menara KL; Nor Azmi Mat Said, Chairman of MyCreative Ventures; Junady Nawawi, Group Chief Executive Officer of MyCreative Ventures; Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin, Chief Executive Officer of CENDANA; and Joe Sidek, Director of KLWKND Festival. Holding on to the noble principle that no one gets left behind in this digital age, YTM is exhibiting the extraordinary visual talents of gifted artists in Malaysia for a charity sale during the event. Also taking part are visual artists from Persatuan Pelukis Negeri Perak who will be showcasing the Gutta Percha Trail Exhibition, the history of how a tree native to Malaysia played a crucial part in making the global submarine and telegraph network possible. With the exciting emergence of vast markets for non-fungible tokens (NFTs), YTM is also collaborating with DETIK, a unique Malaysian NFT project team who is organising the NFT-JAM Challenge where digital artists will meet up in the DETIK created Newsantara metaverse. This challenge aims to increase digital literacy reach so that creative communities can participate in the digital economy and earn potential income from their creative arts. This initiative will have presence in the Traverse exhibition and also feature some of the artwork displayed physically and digitally at Muzium Telekom. Commenting on the collaboration, Izlyn said, "As a purpose driven social impact foundation, YTM is committed to the Group's aspiration of enabling a Digital Malaysia via our three pillars of Education, Community and Nation-Building as well as Tourism, Culture and Heritage. The third pillar is dedicated to the sustainable development of Malaysian arts, culture and creative ventures. It is a necessary part for the preservation and celebration of our nation's heritage but also a key foundation to building our future. Creativity and innovation are not just confined to a certain sector; they are applicable across all aspects as well as being a key life skills. This must be nurtured and supported by all stakeholders for the betterment of society." "Malaysia has a wealth of talent, creativity and innovation but it needs that due attention and support to grow further and make an even greater mark in the world. How corporates can support the overall ecosystem should be considered from a strategic view – how they can enhance the scene with the core competencies they have so that the local arts industry creates greater impact and sustainability. YTM's role is in connecting the dots between the youth, talent and creativity to skills development, digital opportunities and collaborative partners; focusing on expanding traditional content and goods to digital platforms and solutions," she added. Meanwhile, as the main organiser, Izan Satrina said, "KLWKND is an integral part of Art In The City key to reach out, restart, revive and rebuild the economy for the arts and culture sector. To successfully implement such efforts, collaboration at all levels amongst the private and public sectors is needed to ensure involvement and ownership of the programme. Therefore, we are proud to partner with YTM and Joe Sidek Productions to build a greater impact for the sector and wrap up the year with a bang. Part of the arts includes us reflecting our history. The exhibition 'Traverse – Motions Through Time' complements this journey." YTM and its partners invite all to come and experience this exciting and immersive digital arts and innovations exhibition, Traverse – Motions Through Time from 25 – 28 November 2021 (10.00 am – 10.00 pm) as part of CENDANA's Art in The City inaugural KLWKND programme. There will also be cool prizes to be won from a special gamification competition feature of the exhibition journey!
TM’s response to the national crisis and assurance to customers, communities and businesses affected
As a result of the extreme and continuous heavy rainfall since Friday (17 December 2021), some telecommunication services provided by Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) have been impacted. A number of telecommunication equipment particularly in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang were damaged resulting in service disruption in several areas. At the time of reporting, TM’s National Crisis Command Centre is up and running, and we are closely monitoring our network sites. The flash floods and landslides have caused several of our nodes in the three (3) states to be inaccessible due to high water and unsafe conditions. In the meantime, we have had to shut down power supply and network equipment in some areas as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of those in the vicinity and minimise any potential risks. We have mobilised our front-liners and as conditions permit, we are actively pursuing network restoration in the flood-stricken zones to minimise any service interruption, ensuring customers remain connected. Our immediate concern is of 50,000 of our valued customers on unifi, streamyx, fixed line and unifi mobile who are affected, and we are working hard to ensure communication services are being safely re-established. Concurrently, the GLC/GLIC Disaster Recovery Network (GDRN) has been activated to provide welfare aid and support to those affected by this disaster. As a start, a total of RM50 million has been allocated for relief initiatives comprising of a matching grant of RM25 million by the Government, while the GLCs/GLICs will jointly contribute another RM25 million. As part of GDRN, which TM co-leads as the Secretariat together with Yayasan Hasanah from Khazanah Nasional Berhad, we are collaborating with the National Security Council (NSC) through NADMA (“Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara”) and other agencies to assist in furthering other disaster relief assistance. Together with the members of GDRN, we will mobilise rescue and aid efforts to ensure that basic necessities and healthcare can be provided to those in need. The 56th Royal Signals Telekom Army Reserve Regiment (56 Rejimen Semboyan Pakar Telekom Askar Wataniah) which comprises of volunteers from TM has been deployed on the ground to provide assistance and emergency services involving internet and telephone lines nationwide. “Though the situation remains uncertain, I am grateful for the quick action especially on the part of the TM engineering and customer care team for keeping our customers updated and working towards restoring the much-needed connectivity services. As we brace ourselves in anticipation of worsening conditions, we remain hopeful that Malaysians in need will receive the help they require. Our front-liners will be on the ground around the clock to restore services and bring the impacted States back on its feet,” said Imri Mokhtar, Group Chief Executive Officer of TM.
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