— Malaysian Entrepreneurs Experiencing a Positive Business Impact —
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), through its Wireless Reach™ initiative, the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, and the Foundation for Women's Education and Vocational Training (YPVWM) today announced that Maxis Berhad (Maxis), Malaysia's leading integrated communications service provider, has joined the Mentoring Women in Business Program to support women entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Maxis will provide 12 month data plans to women to enable them to access a business mentoring platform on 3G tablets.
The e-Mentoring platform was developed by the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and is designed to enhance women's skills and knowledge in the areas of business and information and communications technology (ICT). The program combines mentoring with advanced wireless technology to offer cross-border support to unlock the potential of women entrepreneurs from underserved areas and help them obtain a better quality of life. YPVWM, the implementing partner in Malaysia, aims to reach 50 women entrepreneurs operating micro and small enterprises by the end of 2012.
Since its launch in February 2012, project partners have provided funding, technical and project management support to enable participants to complete intensive courses in English and ICT for Business. Participants receive training on how to use the program's technology platform and, following the successful completion of the program training, a 3G-enabled tablet powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor, a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., for use during their mentoring term. Maxis will offer twelve months of high-speed internet connectivity to empower women to access information, interact with their mentors and engage a global community of like-minded professionals. To date, 80 percent of participating entrepreneurs have reported a positive impact on their businesses and 90 percent have reported improvement in their knowledge of technology and confidence levels.
"As the country's leading integrated communications service provider, Maxis is committed to harnessing the power of information and communication technology to address the needs of society from all walks of life and enrich lives. We are proud to support this program by providing the participants with high-speed mobile data connectivity that enables them to go beyond borders and connect with business professionals and mentors from all over the world, and ultimately take their businesses to the next level," said Fitri Abdullah, head of Maxis Business Services.
Cherie Blair, founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, said, "The Mentoring Women in Business Program demonstrates how wireless technology can enable women entrepreneurs in Malaysia to build and maintain sustainable businesses, the result being a better quality of life for the women, their families and communities."
"By providing women entrepreneurs with access to wireless connectivity and raising the profile of entrepreneurship among policymakers, Qualcomm is working to help stimulate the economic ecosystem and close the mobile phone gender gap," said Shawn A. Covell, vice president of government affairs for Qualcomm. "Together with our partners, we have a shared mission to provide the tools, access and services necessary to enable women's leadership and empowerment."
"This training improves the women's confidence, enhances their English language and business skills and increases their knowledge of technology," said Mariamah Jaffar, president of the Foundation for Women's Education and Vocational Training (YPVWM). "The course covers everything from the basic features of a computer to how to use computers for word processing, presentations, internet searching, email and online discussions."
About the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women
The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women provides women with the skills, technology, networks and access to finance that they need to become successful small and growing business owners, so that they can contribute to their economies and have a stronger voice in their societies.www.cherieblairfoundation.org
Twitter: @CherieBlairFndn @eMentor4Women
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cherieblairfoundation
About the Foundation for Women's Education and Vocational Training
The Foundation for Women's Education and Training, or YPVWM, provides trainings to women on the skills and knowledge needed to set up businesses, income-generating activities, and self-employment, thus empowering them to take the lead and make decisions as they endeavor to improve their economic status and social well-being.
www.ypvwm.org.my
Facebook: www.facebook.com/YPVWM.org.my
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