Celcom Axiata Berhad (Celcom) and Multimedia Development Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (MDeC) sealed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today, where Celcom is made as the digital partner to facilitate MDeC’s eUsahawan programme that is conducted via local Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
eUsahawan is an MDeC’s initiative that commenced in July 2015, designed to mainstream digital entrepreneurship knowledge via TVET institutions. It aims for a long term objective of increasing the number of micro entrepreneurs harnessing the power of digital platforms to grow their businesses.
Proceeding from the MoU, Celcom will be extending its 4G coverage further into TVET campuses, enabling Internet services for the students and further facilitate their learning process. Initially, 34 polytechnic institutions across Malaysia will become Celcom’s 4G LTE sites, which is expected not to solely benefit the students, but the surrounding community as well.
Celcom will also expand its connectivity services by covering more campuses with the installation of WiFi infrastructure in the institutions. Over 300,000 TVET students in 462 institutions including universities and colleges will be able to access the new Internet data service.
Among other mutual agreements in the MoU are provision of SIM cards that are customized for eUsahawan students, phone or tablet bundled packages, as well as incorporation of Celcom’s online platform, Escape, as a tool in eUsahawan online learning syllabus. These entrepreneurs will also be able to utilize Celcom’s online marketplace, 11Street, as a part of their eUsahawan project.
3,000 full-time students have been exposed in the pilot stage of the integrated curriculum designed by MDeC and partnering institutions. 77% of the students who managed to generate sales via online platforms collectively made RM1.3 million in sales, over a period of 6 months. In the pilot stage as well, 259 micro entrepreneurs participated in pocket-sized weekend classes and collectively generated RM2.37 million additional sales via online platforms over a period of 7 months. Similar pocket-size courses are currently being offered to micro entrepreneurs via selected TVETs nationwide.
“Superior connectivity that we provide would be the doorway to limitless information they may need to furnish themselves throughout the learning process. With the steadfast growth of e-commerce, Celcom’s digital solution will contribute in opening endless online opportunities that these youths could explore and building their pathway towards full-pledged digitalised entrepreneurship.” said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Celcom, Dato’ Sri Shazalli Ramly.
“Furthermore, this collaboration is also significant in demonstrating our support towards the government effort in stepping up towards a diversified and digitalized economy”, he said.
Meanwhile, Dato’ Yasmin Mahmood, CEO of MDeC is confident that the collaboration between Celcom and MDeC will greatly help TVET students and micro-entrepreneurs to ride the wave of the growing digital entrepreneurship in the country.
“To successfully roll out the eUsahawan programme, MDeC needs to create and grow a robust enabling ecosystem, and one way is through public-private partnerships such as this. We are excited to be working with Celcom who will be providing connectivity to the eUsahawan participants. The connectivity by Celcom will not only allow the eUsahawan participants provide better service to their customers but also help them be more efficient in managing their business. The success of this programme will see our young entrepreneurs evolve from job seekers to job creators, and in turn, contribute to the country’s digital economy.”
