Essential skills: Curtin Malaysia undergraduate volunteers guiding students on using digital tools during an interactive, hands-on session.
In an initiative designed to empower and inspire, Curtin University Malaysia is set to continue its Tech-Reach Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP) into the upcoming semester, with a focus on equipping secondary school students with essential digital skills through the power of volunteerism.
This hands-on programme, which blends technology with community engagement, is not only transforming classrooms but also fostering leadership among its undergraduates, a press release dated Oct 10 read.
Spearheaded by the varsity’s senior lecturer Dr Noraisikin Sabani from the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences, the Tech-Reach programme aims to close the digital divide by bringing Google-based digital skills to Form Four students in Miri, Sarawak.
“We are committed to extending the reach of this programme,” Noraisikin remarked, outlining plans to introduce new information and communication technology-based workshops or expand the current ones to more schools next semester.
Recently, two schools, SMK Dato Permaisuri and SMK Riam, hosted the latest Tech-Reach sessions, where 50 students participated in interactive workshops on using digital tools.
These workshops, conducted with the help of the varsity’s students, provided a platform for undergraduates to step up as leaders and role models, highlighting the importance of giving back to the community.
“Tech-Reach goes beyond digital literacy; it is about inspiring a spirit of volunteerism and leadership in our students while addressing crucial skill gaps in our local secondary schools,” said Noraisikin.
“The students were engaged, motivated and, most importantly, inspired. We look forward to hosting more Tech-Reach programmes in the future,” said a teacher from SMK Riam.
Tech-Reach stems from a larger research project funded by the Education Ministry’s Fundamental Research Grant Scheme and Curtin Malaysia’s KTP Grant, aimed at developing a personalised learning framework to support rural learners in East Malaysia.
“Our goal is to create a sustainable model where students in non-urban and lower-income areas gain vital digital skills, while our university students develop the leadership and organisational expertise needed to make a lasting impact,” added Noraisikin.
Potential partners interested in future Tech-Reach sessions can reach out to the Department of General Studies in the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences at Curtin Malaysia for details.
