STUDENTS living in Balik Pulau can now be better equipped with digital skills at the newly set up digital library at MakerSpace, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
The digital library at MakerSpace in Balik Pulau is the first of its kind in the southwest district of Penang island.
Chow applauded the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) for materialising the initiative.
“After MakerSpace was established in 2019, this new component is no doubt a feather in the cap for MBPP in its effort to cultivate digitalisation and coding knowledge among the young people.
“Although we (Penang) have always excelled in producing good results in the manufacturing and service sectors, the one concern that has often arisen among relevant authorities is the lack of talents to drive operations digitally.
Students at the MakerSpace in Balik Pulau.
“Hence, I strongly believe that with MBPP’s continuous efforts to promote digitalisation and coding, which are also considered a key component in this era, more talents can be produced to support the state to further accelerate its economy in the future,” Chow said after officiating the digital library at MakerSpace in Balik Pulau today.
Chow also said that MBPP had collaborated with the Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) to materialise this initiative.
Meanwhile, MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said this new digital library would be a platform to nurture students living in Balik Pulau to be more involved in the use of technology.
“It is truly important that we equip the young ones with industry-driven skills so that they can be fully prepared for the competitive workforce out there.
“MBPP would also like to thank important partners such as MDEC, Intel Technology Sdn Bhd, Penang Science Cluster, the Balik Pulau community and Politeknik Balik Pulau for showing great support throughout these years.
“Without their support, none of these initiatives would be possible.
“Intel had so far contributed 80 laptops, all of which came timely for the usage of the students here,” Yew said during his speech.
It is learnt that the digital library will be open from Monday to Friday (8am to 5pm).
“As for this new set up, CMI had agreed to pass 20 access cards to MakerSpace, which can be used by interested students when they visit the library.
“The cards can be used by the students to access e-books made available in the Penang Digital Library website,” Yew added.
Separately, since the MakerSpace was set up, it has attracted over 40,000 students from various schools in Penang.
Also present during the ceremony were Balik Pulau MP Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik, Pulau Betong assemblyman Mohd Tuah Ismail, MBPP secretary Datuk Addnan Mohd Razali and Penang police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi