19 March 2014 - Senior citizens are once again learning infocomm skills, this time at the Tampines Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Intergenerational IT Bootcamp where 15 schools have been holding IT workshops on their premises since 17 March 2014.
Singapore, 19 March 2014 | Immediate Release
Senior citizens are once again learning infocomm skills, this time at the Tampines Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Intergenerational IT Bootcamp where 15 schools have been holding IT workshops on their premises since 17 March 2014. The four-day Intergenerational IT Bootcamp is the biggest, at constituency-level, to be organised since 2012 and has attracted 348 senior citizens in registration.
The Tampines GRC Intergenerational IT Bootcamp is organised by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) in collaboration with the People's Association Active Ageing Council (PA AAC) and Tampines GRC Active Ageing Committees. Fifteen schools are using their computer labs to hold workshops for senior citizens who will be guided by their grandchildren or student volunteers to learn various infocomm skills.
Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Education and Adviser to Tampines GRC Grassroots Organisations (GROs), who visited three schools conducting the workshops on 19 March said, "I am happy to see the senior citizens and students having fun learning IT and interacting with one another at the IDA Intergenerational IT Bootcamp. Such intergenerational bonding programmes improve communication and understanding among the senior citizens and the youth, and enhance the senior citizens' social and emotional well-being. This is in line with Tampines GRC Wellness Programme to encourage our senior citizens to embrace an active lifestyle and lifelong learning."
The workshops are conducted in English and Mandarin, guided by students aged between 10 to 18 years. The senior citizens picked up basic skills to use the computer and surf the Internet; get introduced to eEntertainment including online music stations, YouTube and games; learn about eHealth and health tools online; as well as social networking including how to create Facebook accounts and post online comments.
The Intergenerational IT Bootcamp is part of IDA's Silver Infocomm Initiative (SII), which aims to help senior citizens pick up essential 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 senior citizens during the workshops. Students are encouraged to bring their grandparents to the workshops and this helps them to bond and learn from one another.
Since 2010, a total of 53 schools have co-organised 77 bootcamps and the programme has reached out to some 1,600 pairs of seniors and students. The programme has been well received by schools and senior citizens alike. In 2012, it was awarded the highest accolade in the "Innovations in Citizen Engagement and Dialogue," category under the prestigious Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM) International Innovation Award for its contribution to the public service.
ISSUED BY CORPORATE AND MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Related Resources
- Annex 1: Factsheet for the Intergenerational IT Bootcamp (96.23KB)
- Annex 2: Factsheet for the PA Wellness Programme (75.08KB)
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 PA Active Ageing Council
The People's Association Active Ageing Council (PA AAC) was formed on 1 January 2010 to champion the cause of active ageing, create a supportive environment for active ageing elements to flourish in grassroots programmes and cultivate the notion of active ageing from young. The intent is to permeate active ageing to all spectrums of the grassroots. The PA AAC together with the Active Ageing Committees in all 87 constituencies, through the PA Wellness Programme, encourages seniors to take charge of one's health through regular health screenings and to participate in community activities to remain physically, mentally and socially active.
For media clarification, please contact:
Mehul SHAH (Mr)
Assistant Manager, Corporate & Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211 1557
Email: mehul_shah@imda.gov.sg
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