RM2mil has been allocated by the Sultanah Fatimah Foundation to create a Johor Digital Economy Centre to train digital talent to take on global challenges.
Datuk Tee Siew Kiong, Chairman of its board of directors, said the decision was taken after a board meeting held a few days ago where they explored ways to assist Johoreans in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the centre aims to empower local talent with the digital know-hows and marketing strategies, generating more work opportunities in turn.
The centre, which also serves as an incubator, will concentrate on five main areas namely online education, live-stream services, e-commerce, digital marketing and creativity in technology.
“With this centre, we aim to provide training and courses that will enable entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to market their goods globally,” he said.
Tee shared with local publication The Star that not only SMEs and e-commerce business owners, but also young people and students are expected to benefit from the centre.
He noted that developments in e-commerce and live broadcasting are increasingly growing and evolving, resulting in a strong need to provide tailored training and optimisation of platforms to enhance the competitive edge of local talent.
The centre will be fitted with up-to-date and competent live broadcasting equipment as well as available tutors to direct interested parties to market their goods online via online platforms, he added.
Tee said the digital initiative will also connect talent for online app creation and technical innovation ventures with tech giants including Google and Facebook.
In our lives, online education and e-commerce have become more relevant than ever, especially in the new standard created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Foundation therefore, aims to take advantage of this opportunity to facilitate online education and develop the existing abilities of people to take on current and future trends”, he said.
He added that the initiative was in line with the seven main initiatives announced by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Ir. Haji Hasni Mohammad as part of the plan to restore the state’s economy to fight COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2015, the Sultanah Fatimah Foundation was set up to support the poor, especially orphans, single mothers, the disabled and senior citizens.
