MAXIS IS FIRST TELCO TO INTRODUCE CLOUD COMPUTING SERVICES IN SCHOOLS

• Maxis introduces Cyberkids Cloud to the 4 winning schools of Maxis’ National Cyberkids Challenge 2011
• SMK Merotai Besar, Tawau is first rural school in Sabah to be cloud-enabled by Maxis.

Kuala Lumpur, 2 April 2012. Over 180 teachers and students experienced Cloud Computing services for the first time ever when Malaysia’s leading integrated communications service provider, Maxis Berhad (‘Maxis’), rolled out Cyberkids with Cloud at four selected schools. They were SMK Jelai (F) in Gemas, Negeri Sembilan on 20 and 21 February; SMV Sungai Buloh, Selangor on 23 and 24 February; SMK Air Putih, Kuantan, Pahang on 1 and 2 March; and finally SMK Merotai Besar, Tawau from 20 to 21 March. The Cyberkids with Cloud programme fulfilled part of Maxis’ commitment to the four schools which had won the 2011 Maxis Cyberkids National Challenge. This is the first telco-school collaboration on cloud computing in the country.

Maxis developed Cyberkids with Cloud as a computing platform for schools to have instant access to virtual servers for the running of web-based applications. Cloud computing is about outsourcing server and storage functions (that is, computing power), allowing users to keep and access all data, software and applications via the Internet. In addition, the elasticity of cloud allows schools to tap into more computing power on demand. Cyberkids with Cloud frees schools from operating, maintaining and supporting servers and related hardware. Each school will be given free access to a cloud computing platform with 20GB storage with 100mbps bandwidth for a period of one year. Training held at Pusat Kegiatan Guru (PGK) Centre in Tawau Sabah. Attended by 10 teachers and 22 students. Cyberkids members from other schools together with Cyberkids Alumni also joined the training.

The deployment of the Maxis Cyberkids with Cloud programme encourages the integration of ICT in education as part of the daily teaching and learning process. With this, schools can boost the efficiency and productivity of both teachers and students through greater flexibility to experiment with newer apps and platforms. This beneficial service also further exemplifies the Company’s integrated position by enabling education that is available anytime and anywhere for teachers and students.

The Maxis Cyberkids with Cloud programme is a natural extension of Maxis’ award-winning Maxis Cyberkids programme which has entered its 10th year. It supports the government’s effort towards Vision 2020 - to transform the Malaysian education system by integrating ICT into mainstream education. The Company continuously strives to provide leading-edge technology and innovation to create value for the communities in which the company operates.
Cyberkids Portal and many more new applications learned at the training make the netbook sponsored by the government properly utilized by the students.

First rural school in Sabah to enjoy Cloud Technology

The most recent school to receive Maxis Cyberkids with Cloud training, SMK Merotai Besar in Tawau, is also the first rural school in Sabah to receive cloud technology. The school won the Cyberkids Challenge in 2010 and the Star Award in 2011 due to its commitment in sharing its Cyberkids experience with 40 other schools in the area. The school’s alumni now count themselves amongst the programme’s trainers as they seek to share what they have learnt to the benefit of the other schools in Tawau. This highlights one of the core goals of the programme which is to train teachers and students on how to use cloud.

Cloud technology is especially important for schools such as SMK Merotai Besar as it is able to remove barriers in education, providing equal opportunities for various communities to learn and obtain information, including special needs groups.
Cyberkids participants posed at the school’s computer lab wall which has been painted with Cyberkids logo.

A former-student-turned-trainer of SMK Merotai Besar said, “We are thrilled to be a part of Maxis’ Cyberkids programme and the deployment of cloud technology to our school will really help us provide a unique learning experience for the students here. This is a great development for schools in the area, especially rural schools like ours, as it gives us the latest educational tools. These tools provide our students with more ways to learn and to obtain information.”