State govt pledged to continue honing digital skills among the youths

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THE Penang government will continue to implement as well as support programmes and efforts targeted at developing and honing the digital skills of all Penangites particularly, the youths.

 

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said it is in line with the state’s Penang2030 vision of ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow

“Covid-19 may have negatively impacted the economy, but it has also aided in the rapid advancement of industries across the board and has accelerated technological innovation globally.

 

“It has also undoubtedly provided Penang with additional impetus to achieve the goals of the Penang2030 vision, which are to transform Penang into a digital and smart state,” Chow said in his speech during the awards presentation ceremony of the Young Excellence Award (YEA) 2021 at the Ship Campus in Batu Kawan today.

 

According to Chow, the state government, through the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC), has also launched various programmes and initiatives last year.

 

“This includes the Youth Entrepreneurship Forum 2021, the PYDC Essential Skills Programme, Web Design Competition 2021 ‘Empowering Young Digital Talent’, 3-Day Digital Marketing Course, and many others.

 

“And for this year, we are committed to organise even more programmes for the youths to horn their digital skills.

 

“With that being said, I hope that more collaborative measures amongst all stakeholders, including government agencies, private businesses, educational institutions, and others, will be undertaken to bridge the digital divide and take Penang to greater heights,” Chow added.

 

Chow also congratulated all the YEA 2021 award winners for their remarkable contribution and performance.

 

The prestigious award programme for young entrepreneurs and frontliners is jointly organised by the office of state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee and Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur Section (PCCC YES).

 

Chow said entrepreneurs and frontliners are critical components of any country’s economy as they supplement the government’s contribution to the provision of goods and services to the people.

 

“Entrepreneurs who think outside the box can also contribute significantly to the country’s development of technology and solutions,” he said.

 

Soon, who was also present during the awards ceremony, said the main objective of YEA 2021 was to acknowledge the willingness of young entrepreneurs and frontliners who have gone out of their comfort zone to achieve great things.

 

“This programme also serves as an important platform for our youths, practitioners, as well as keen individuals to come together, share and exchange their views, and perspectives on further developing Penang.

Soon said the main objective of YEA 2021 was to acknowledge the willingness of young entrepreneurs and frontliners who have gone out of their comfort zone to achieve great things.

“The inaugural YEA 2021 also successfully received nearly 300 submissions, where 68 of them emerged as winners.

 

“There are a total of 15 award categories, namely the Business Performance Award, Pandemic Business Growth Award, Technology Entrepreneur Award, Green Initiative Award, Brand Award, Social Media & Influencer Award, Woman Entrepreneur Award, Rookie Million Achievement Award, E-commerce Award, E-sports Award, Pandemic Volunteer Award, Pandemic Leadership Award, Pandemic Professional Award, University Leadership Award, and University Athlete Award.

 

“Through this, we can clearly see that Penang is endowed with talented young entrepreneurs who play vital roles in economic productivity during this pandemic period.

 

“Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the winners and well done to all participants. I believe the YEA 2021 is just a beginning and the innovation shall continue after the programme. May our efforts in building our youths for the future be fruitful and gain success,” he added.

 

Also present during the awards ceremony were PYDC general manager Dr Gwee Sai Ling, PCCC YES chairman Lee Toong Leon and Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) president Datuk Seri Hong Yeam Wah.

 

Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Ahmad Adil Muhamad