SINGAPORE – 7 April 2019: More than 100 Singapore infocomm media companies have pledged to help prepare more people to be digitally ready for the future. The companies’ efforts, to participate in programmes to build digital readiness and contribute to digital training and education, are in support of Singapore’s Digital Readiness (DR) Blueprint’s Digital Participation Pledge (DPP) initiative announced at the Committee of Supply Debate last month. Being digitally ready will empower more people to reap benefits afforded by technology to lead a better quality of life.
The mass pledge, the first by an industry sector, was led by SGTech. The companies made their pledge at the opening of the second day of Tech4Community, an annual corporate social responsibility event organised by SGTech in partnership with IMDA. Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of Transport, attended the event as the Guest of Honour.
Commitment to make digital adoption inclusive
Companies who sign the DPP commit to ensuring their digital products and services are inclusive, training employees and customers to become digitally ready, and/or developing Digital Readiness initiatives to benefit the community.
DPP signatories can commit their digital efforts towards the General or Thematic category. The general category includes efforts to equip employees with relevant digital skills training, and enhancing the company’s digital services to contributing at programmes that support Digital Readiness. For the thematic category, companies could focus their efforts on promoting specific digital services such as e-payments and the secure use of wireless hotspot.
One recently launched DPP project was Facebook’s “We Think Digital” online education portal. The portal was designed with interactive tutorials that cover topics ranging from privacy, safety, security to digital discourse, to help new and existing Internet users of all ages to develop skills to safely navigate the online space.
Other innovative DPP projects include Accenture “Tech-X” programme, where its employees volunteer their time and effort to curate and deliver courses in areas such as software programming and coding to benefit 300 individuals. Ezsofe, a system integration company, has also committed to developing and running coding workshops for children from low-income households to promote the basic concept of Internet of Things (IoTs) in the South East district.
“SGTech is proud to lead these 102 organisations in our ICT industry’s digital pledge. As we move towards a Smart Nation, we have a social responsibility to reach out, educate and make technology accessible to all. We are firmly committed to advancing our Digital Readiness drive to help every citizen cross the digital divide, and to ensure that every Singaporeans can actively participate in a digitally-enabled society.” said Mr Ho Seong Kim, Organising Chairman, Tech4Community.
“Digital readiness is a whole of nation effort. SGTech’s strong response to the launch of the Digital Participation Pledge has mobilised the technology industry to support the broader society in Singapore’s digital readiness journey, preparing Singaporeans to seize the opportunities of the digital future.” Ms Koh Li-Na, Assistant Chief Executive, Digital Readiness Cluster at IMDA.
This year’s Tech4Community is based on the theme of “Embracing Digital Readiness”. This is reflected in the two-day programme with exhibits and showcases targeted at various communities.
Held in conjunction with Tech4Community was IMDA’s Silver Infocomm roadshow. The roadshow is an extension of efforts from the e-Payment Learning Journey series from 2018 and aims to promote e-Payment awareness and adoption among seniors and mature adults. The event features exhibitions, tutorials and hands-on sessions to accelerate technology adoption in fun and engaging ways.
ISSUED BY THE INFOCOMM MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
About SG Tech
SGTech is an active and responsible advocate of the technology industry in Singapore. With the evolving technology landscape, SGTech strives to create an ecosystem to anticipate changing technology trends and develop sustainable initiatives that can further strengthen the community and help the industry grow. SGTech’s 700 members range from innovative start-ups, vibrant small and medium-sized enterprises to top multinational corporations that leverage technology as a core driver of their business.
For more information, visit www.sgtech.org.sg or follow SGTech on Linkedin SGTech ; Facebook SGTechSocial ; Twitter @SGTechSocial
About Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation with infocomm media. To do this, IMDA will develop a dynamic digital economy and a cohesive digital society, driven by an exceptional infocomm media (ICM) ecosystem – by developing talent, strengthening business capabilities, and enhancing Singapore's ICM infrastructure. IMDA also regulates the telecommunications and media sectors to safeguard consumer interests while fostering a pro-business environment, and enhances Singapore’s data protection regime through the Personal Data Protection Commission.
For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on Facebook IMDAsg and Twitter @IMDAsg.
For media clarifications, please contact:
Raymond Tan
Arcis Communications on behalf of SGTech
HP: 9673 9029
Email: raymond@arciscomunications.com
Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
Jasmine XuDID: 6202 4425
Email: Jasmine_Xu@imda.gov.sg
Chua Hian Hou
DID: 6202 4956
Email: Chua_Hian_Hou@imda.gov.sg
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