Penang Digital Economy Master Plan 2025-2030
ROSE Charities Malaysia can play a significant and direct role in the Penang Digital Economy Master Plan (DEMP) 2025-2030, particularly under the Digital Society strategic pillar. Our existing mission and projects align strongly with the DEMP’s objectives for fostering inclusivity, enhancing digital literacy, and empowering various community groups.
Here’s a breakdown of how ROSE Charities Malaysia’s activities align with and can contribute to the Penang DEMP:
A. Enhancing Digital Literacy and Access (DEMP Strategic Initiative DS-1):
◦ Penang Senior Digital Resource Centre: ROSE Charities already operates a “Penang Senior Digital Resource Centre” offering “Digital Classes and Digital Tools: Basic smartphone/internet skills” and “Digital Clinic: Troubleshoot device issues” with free WiFi access. This directly corresponds to the DEMP’s initiative for “Digital Clinic Workshop (DahDigital)”, which aims to improve digital literacy and access for daily technology applications among the community. The DEMP explicitly seeks to empower “mature workers and senior citizens through digital tools, skilling programmes and services that are accessible and age-friendly”. Future is ROSE Charities’ work at KOMTAR, a central and public transport-friendly location, supports this accessibility goal.
◦ E-Library & Digital Newspaper Library: These resources provided by ROSE Charities further enhance digital access and combat isolation, aligning with the broader goal of expanding digital connectivity and literacy.
◦ Free/Affordable Tuition Centre: While not explicitly digital, the tuition centre for primary and secondary children contributes to overall educational development, which forms a foundation for future digital skills and a “future-ready workforce”.
B. Community Digital Empowerment (DEMP Strategic Initiative DS-2):
◦ Focus on Underserved Populations: ROSE Charities’ mission to “improve lives of seniors, single parents, B40 families, and children” directly addresses the DEMP’s special focus on “underserved populations, such as rural communities, low-income households, women and the elderly” to ensure equitable access to digital opportunities.
◦ Support for Single Parents: Initiatives like “free childcare slots during ROSE’s classes” for single parents remove barriers to participation in skills training (which could include digital skills), aligning with efforts to empower communities and promote inclusivity.
◦ Community Tech Centres: The Senior Digital Resource Centre can function as a “Community Tech Centre” to drive digital empowerment and innovation, as envisioned by DEMP.
◦ NGO Collaboration: As an NGO actively engaged in community digital empowerment, ROSE Charities can be a key partner in the DEMP’s initiative for the “Adoption of digital technology by NGOs”.
C. Overarching DEMP Goals and Strategic Alignment:
◦ Inclusive and Sustainable Growth: ROSE Charities’ core values of “Compassion | Inclusivity | Sustainability” directly mirror the DEMP’s overarching vision to “catalyse inclusive and sustainable digital growth across the state” and ensure “inclusive and sustainable development”.
◦ Upskilling the Workforce: By providing digital literacy programs for seniors and foundational education for children, ROSE Charities contributes to the broader DEMP goal of “upskilling 30% of the workforce” and creating “50,000 new digital jobs” by 2030.
◦ Stakeholder Collaboration: ROSE Charities’ existing partnerships with government bodies like JKM Penang and its intention to partner with the Penang State Various Department align with the DEMP’s emphasis on “collaborative efforts between the state and federal governments, government-linked companies, industry players and technology leaders” and its structured governance involving multiple working groups and an advisory board.
In essence, ROSE Charities Malaysia, through its existing and planned community-focused programs, is well-positioned to be a key implementation partner for the Penang DEMP 2025-2030, especially within the “Digital Society” pillar, directly contributing to digital inclusivity, literacy, and community empowerment