IMPACTING LIVES WITH TECHNOLOGY AT THE ASEAN CYBERKIDS CAMP 2013

• 70 participants from the ASEAN region get creative using the latest ICT tools at the fifth ASEAN Cyberkids Camp (ACC) 2013 
• The successful, home-grown Maxis Cyberkids Camp replicated at the ASEAN level, reinforcing the role of technology as a key enabler in changing lives

Kuala Lumpur, 28 November 2013. Technology, gadgetry and the Internet was the main focus for 70 participants, comprising 51 students and 19 teachers, who were gathered here today in for the fifth ASEAN Cyberkids Camp (ACC) 2013.

The ACC is the result of a successful and strategic partnership between the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia (KKMM), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Maxis Berhad, together with the endorsement of the Ministry of Education.

The winners of the Maxis Cyberkids National Challenge, together with YB Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek (6th from right). With them are (5th from left) YM Tengku Zaib Raja Ahmad; (6th from left) YM Raja Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Arshad Raja Tun Uda; and (5th from right) Morten Lundal, at the closing ceremony of the ASEAN Cyberkids Camp 2013 held at Mandarin Oriental earlier today.

The closing ceremony of the ACC 2013 was graced by YB Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Minister of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia; and attended by YM Tengku Zaib Raja Ahmad, Chief Officer, Services & Support, MCMC; YM Raja Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Arshad Raja Tun Uda, Maxis’ Chairman; and Morten Lundal, Maxis’ CEO.

“At Maxis, corporate responsibility is something dear to us, something that we hold close to our hearts. Our philosophy is simple. Everything that we do has to create a positive impact and deliver value across both Maxis as an organisation, and for our stakeholders,” said Raja Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Arshad.

Muhammad Syahme Hadi Bin Su'id, from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bandar Chiku, Kelantan explaining to YB Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek on his school’s project during the ASEAN Cyberkids Camp 2013.

“That is the basis in which this year’s theme, “Impacting lives with technology”, was built. During the ACC, the participants get to be creative while being educated about the latest ICT tools. For instance, one of the modules is about developing Android applications. This knowledge is not only relevant – it can also be readily applied. This is a prime example of our rapidly changing environment, where technology is used as a key enabler in changing lives. It’s difficult to imagine living life without the use of technology – without the use of mobile phones to say hello, or even without the use of the Internet as a quick, fact-checking tool.”

The ACC was borne from the successful home-grown Maxis Cyberkids Camp – a flagship community project by Maxis to spread information and communications technology (ICT) knowledge among students in support of the Government's call to bridge the digital divide in the country.

Participants of the ASEAN Cyberkids Camp 2013 giving a special performance during the closing ceremony.

The Maxis Cyberkids Camp, which established in 2002, began as a solely local, Malaysian initiative. Due to its success, ASEAN ministers endorsed the flagship initiative at the TELMIN (ASEAN Telecommunications and IT Ministers) Conference in August 2008. The programme was then elevated to a regional level, incorporating the participation of Malaysia’s neighbouring countries.

Since its inception in 2008, the ACC has reached out to over 351 students and 124 teachers throughout the ASEAN region. According to Raja Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Arshad, these figures are, however, not set in stone. “They are instead multiplied as these students move on to teach others under the “Train the Trainer” programme, which is one of the modules covered in the ASEAN Cyberkids Camp,” he said.

The closing ceremony of the ACC on 28 November also announced the winners of the Maxis Cyberkids National Challenge 2013. The list of winners is included in the Notes to the Editor, below.