18 March 2015 - Over 420 seniors are riding the digital wave at the Intergenerational IT Bootcamp - held for the first time at the Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC), and Radin Mas Single Member Constituency (SMC).
Singapore, 18 March 2015 | For Immediate Release
Over 420 seniors are riding the digital wave at the Intergenerational IT Bootcamp - held for the first time at the Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC), and Radin Mas Single Member Constituency (SMC).
The six-day Intergenerational IT Bootcamp is held from the 16th of March at 13 schools where seniors are guided through a basic infocomm lesson by their grandchildren or student volunteers, aged between 10 to 16 years.
Ms Jacqueline Poh, Managing Director of the IDA, said, “Many members of our Pioneer Generation tell us that they want to pick up essential digital skills in order to communicate with their friends and families. We figured that one way for them to get over their anxieties around technology is to ask their grandchildren or other family members to help teach them. It is heartening to see so many seniors embracing IT and using this Bootcamp as an opportunity for family bonding. We hope they can be an inspiration to other seniors to embrace all things digital.”
Organised by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) in collaboration with the People’s Association (PA) and participating schools, the workshops, conducted in English and Mandarin, cover a range of skills such as how to use the computer, surf the Internet as well as lessons on eHealth and cyber tips to remain protected online.
The Intergenerational IT Bootcamp is part of IDA’s Silver Infocomm Initiative (SII), which aims to help senior citizens pick up basic IT skills and applications in a convenient and friendly environment. It also gives students the opportunity to act as cyberguides, using their IT knowledge to help and bond with the senior citizens.
Since 2010, a total of 62 schools have co-organised 100 bootcamps and reached out to some 2,000 pairs of seniors and students. The programme has been well received by schools and senior citizens alike.
In 2012, the Intergenerational IT Bootcamp project was awarded the International Innovation Award, the highest accolade for the “Innovations in Citizen Engagement and Dialogue” category by the prestigious Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM) for its contribution to the public service.
For more details, refer to Annex 1, 2 and 3.
JOINTLY ISSUED BY THE INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE (IDA) AND PEOPLE'S ASSOCIATION
Related Resources
- Annex 1: Factsheet for the Intergenerational IT Bootcamp (47.38KB)
- Annex 2: Factsheet for the Overview of Digital Inclusion Programme (36.24KB)
- Annex 3: Factsheet for Silver Infocomm Initiative (177.63KB)
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The mission of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is to develop information technology and telecommunications within Singapore with a view to serve citizens of all ages and companies of all sizes. IDA does this by actively supporting the growth of innovative technology companies and start-ups in Singapore, working with leading global IT companies as well as developing excellent information technology and telecommunications infrastructure, policies and capabilities for Singapore. For more news and information, visit www.ida.gov.sg.
About People's Association
The People’s Association (PA) was established on 1 July 1960 to promote racial harmony and social cohesion in Singapore. Our mission is to build and bridge communities in achieving one people, one Singapore. PA offers a wide range of programmes to cater to Singaporeans from all walks of life - connecting people to people, and people and government. We do this through our network of 1,800 grassroots organisations, over 100 Community Clubs, five Community Development Councils, the National Youth Council, National Community Leadership Institute, Outward Bound Singapore and Water-Venture. More information at www.pa.gov.sg and OurCommunity.sg.
For media clarification, please contact:
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Mehul SHAH (Mr)
Corporate & Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211 1557
Email: mehul_shah@imda.gov.sg
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