THE Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has launched the “Hour of Code” (HoC) computer science initiative to encourage students to learn to code during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
In line with its aspiration of #mydigitalmaker movement, MDEC aims to lead the digital economy forward under its three main pillars: digitally skilling Malaysians, digitally powering businesses and attracting digital investments.
Its CEO Surina Shukri said in a statement today that MDEC had previously worked with the Ministry of Education (MoE) to run HoC sessions in schools.
“Since the children are now at home, we would like to keep the momentum going via this online campaign.
“It is also in line with the #DigitalVsCovid movement that we have initiated with the support of the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia to galvanise Malaysians to leverage the digital tools and services available to overcome the impact of Covid-19 on our society and economy,” she said.
Parents, teachers and students can visit www.mydigitalmaker.com/hoc to get more information and participate in this campaign.
In addition to HoC, another programme being offered online during the MCO period is the Future Skill for All (FS4A) initiative, a joint initiative with DiGi Telecommunications and Unicef and supported by the MoE.
“The programme was previously done in physical workshops, but following the MCO, it is being offered as an online webinar via YouTube on programming with microbit tools,” Surina said.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, MDEC said as part of its community responsibility programme, it has taken the lead to convene and drive the digital crowdfunding platforms to raise funds for frontliners to protect themselves against the spread and impact of the pandemic.
The funds will be channelled to IMARET (http://www.imamalaysia.org/what-we-do/imaret/), a certified NGO that conforms to the MKN20 protocol to distribute the items to hospitals and health clinics nationwide.
“These pandemic relief supplies range from 200,000 units of PPE/ICU suits (sterile protective coveralls); two million units of three-ply face masks; 100,000 units of face visors; 20,000 units of space suits; food and general supplies; and other types of required medical equipment,” the statement said.
To donate to the #DigitalVsCovid Donation Drive, please go to the respective links: Global Sadaqah (https://bit.ly/2JED46V), pitchIN (https://bit.ly/2Ut9SWE) and SimplyGiving (https://bit.ly/39rbi8c). — April 1, 2020, Bernama
