KUALA LUMPUR: Web hosting company Exabytes Network Sdn Bhd has launched a corporate social responsibility (CSR) digitalisation programme.
The "Digitalise Penang for Youth" is in collaboration with the Penang state government and Penang Youth Development Cooperation (PYDC).
In a joint statement today, Exabytes and PYDC said the programme was to provide youth between 15 and 35 years old the knowledge on how to succeed in the digital economy.
They said the programme's rollout marked the start of a concerted approach by the state government to assist and support the community via new job creation and opportunities as well as nurture the e-commerce and tech industry in Malaysia.
"The initiative is implemented to provide youth with the relevant digitalisation skills in their learning such as domain setup, web hosting plan and virtual private server (VPS) to strengthen their ability to build a career in the technology industry.
"The knowledge obtained from this programme is for them to set up their own online business or fine-tune their programming capabilities to have a successful career in the tech industry," they said.
Exabytes founder and chief executive officer Chan Kee Siak said the company had allocated RM500,000 in digital solution products and services to launch Digitalise Penang for Youth to create opportunities for them to grow digitally and kick-off their digitalisation dreams.
"This initiative is a step forward in our effort to empower digitalisation among Malaysian youth and give them opportunities to grow digitally and to leave a meaningful footprint in the industry.
"Digitalise Penang for Youth is also critical in supporting the Penang tech industry and promoting healthy time management among Malaysian youth during the Covid-19 pandemic by providing positive and educational activities through this programme," he said.
Penang state executive councillor for Youth and Sports Soon Lip Chee said the pandemic had led to an inevitable surge in adopting digital technologies and at the same time speeding up the rate of digitalisation within just a very short period of time.
"As such, our youth especially needs to adapt to this change of environment quickly to encourage growth and remain resilient throughout this tough time where little is known on when this war against Covid-19 will be won.
The youth will have access to the sponsored programmes for one year, however the campaign will run until the end of 2021 or until the quota is reached, whichever comes first.