Sabah First To Implement NADI Ambassador Initiative To Boost Digital Literacy

KOTA KINABALU, July 24 (Bernama) -- Sabah has become the first state selected to implement the NADI Ambassador programme, aimed at promoting the benefits of the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) Smart Services and advancing digital literacy, particularly among rural communities.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said 50 volunteers, comprising students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), were selected to participate in the programme, which is being introduced for the first time by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in collaboration with UMS and the Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa.

He said that the NADI ambassadors will also assist MCMC in raising public awareness on cyber safety through the Safe Internet Campaign, by engaging with residents’ associations and school students in their respective areas, to promote responsible and ethical internet use.

“Sabah was chosen, among other reasons, because during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was one of the states which faced significant internet infrastructure challenges. We have been working hard to address these issues, whether through the installation of towers, substations, or expanding campus WiFi coverage,” said Fahmi.

“Therefore, it is fitting for us to continue our efforts by strengthening digital literacy through the NADI Ambassador programme,” he told reporters, after officiating the Sabah NADI Ambassador programme at UMS, today.

Also present at the event were secretary-general of the Ministry of Communications, Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa; UMS vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor; and MCMC managing director, Abdul Karim Fakir Ali.

Fahmi said that there are currently 131 NADI centres across Sabah, and the selected ambassadors will undergo a two-day training session to support digital literacy efforts, and help extend the benefits of these centres to the wider community.

He added that the student volunteers from UMS were drawn from various academic disciplines, with the selection process jointly carried out by MCMC and the university.

Fahmi also expressed hope that the participation of UMS students in the programme would serve as a platform for them to provide input and suggestions for improving telecommunications services in Sabah.

He said that the NADI Ambassador initiative will eventually be expanded to universities nationwide, in collaboration with student representative councils.

Meanwhile, the MCMC, in a statement, announced that selected volunteers who successfully passed the screening process will undergo a two-day Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop, beginning tomorrow, at UMS.

During the workshop, participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of volunteerism, the objectives and functions of the NADI, NADI Smart Services modules, and the key components of the Safe Internet Campaign.

Upon completion, they will be appointed as NADI Ambassadors, tasked with delivering briefings to local communities, including primary and secondary school students, parents, teachers, and entrepreneurs, who participate in various programmes at NADI centres.

“This approach is designed to encourage widespread community involvement across all age groups and backgrounds, fostering a better understanding of NADI’s role, and helping the public make full use of the services available.

MCMC added that 25 NADI centres have been identified and matched with the hometowns of the 50 selected UMS student volunteers, to ensure that the programme remains community-oriented and responsive to local needs.

-- BERNAMA