In launching the project at Kota Marudu and Petra Jaya, Sarawak simultaneously through teleconferencing Sunday, its Minister Datuk Maximus Ongkili said the project is to support the national aspiration to build an informed society by encouraging the use of science, technology and innovation (STI) to improve the life of the people especially in rural areas.
"It's not a place to play cartoons or computer games but a place where common people like farmers, entrepreneurs, students and teachers can make use of the ICT facilities to their benefits.
"A farmer, for example, can come and look for agriculture information like farming methods, fertilisers, pricing, future markets, while a father can browse for the university application for his son or daughter," he said.
Maximus said the InfoSTI@MOSTI is different from other services in that apart from providing the above services, it also provides teleconferencing where important policy statements, international conferences, seminars or meetings are also available for them.
"They need not travel very far to attend or hear all those conferences or meetings".
The Minister also said the pilot projects at Kota Marudu and Petra Jaya, if proved successful in a year, three more projects would be launched at the constituencies of Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and the Agriculture Minister.
The InfoSTI@MOSTI centre at Kota Marudu has 30 units of computer and began operation on January 31 with 200 students.
The centre has 28 volunteers who were trained at Yayasan Sabah College to teach new students who want to learn ICT.
All ICT trainings, including Agribazaar, a website for agriculture, Network and PC, Cyber Safety, E-Government, Microsoft Office, Internet knowledge, Teleworking Centre, Community Projects and Cyber Development Corps are given free and anyone with any age group can register at the centre.
Maximus also gave away certificates of completion of training to 28 volunteers, e-Contend Fund grant to Yayasan Sabah Group , Kolej Yayasan Sabah and InfoSTI@MOSTI Kota Marudu Centre and the KDCA.
The launching event was attended by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Dato' Abdul Hanan Endut, Anita Baranting (State Assemblywoman for Tandek), Sarapin Maganak (State Assemblyman for Matunggong), District Officer Luvita Koisun, senior officials of various government departments and members of public.
---
Quelle/Source: Daily Express, 23.02.2009
Bitte besuchen Sie/Please visit:
