Helping women learn IT skills

By SALINA KHALID
Photos by KAMARUL ARIFFIN

'Even the women themselves often do not see the need initially but once they see how it can help them, they will be hooked' - NCWO DEPUTY PRESIDENT RAMANI GURUSAMY

WHY teach a grandmother or single mother computer skills? What good will it do them?

"Some people do not see the need for these people to acquire the skills. Even the women themselves often do not see the need initially but once they see how it can help them, they will be hooked," said National Council of Women's Organisations (NCWO) deputy president Datuk Ramani Gurusamy.

"We had a grandmother who came to our centre to learn how to send e-mail so that she could keep in touch with her grandson overseas," she added.

She said most of the women had come to realise that having Internet and information technology (IT) skills was like opening a window to the world.

She added that in addition to enabling them to keep in touch with friends and family, the skills also helped them to get better employment and improve their family's economic status.

"The IT skills will give these women a competitive advantage, ensuring their participation in the knowledge economy.

"The benefits of technology training extend beyond just helping to increase the individual's income and upgrading her position with the creation of more opportunities; it also brings about improvements in the social and economic livelihood of their families.

"And in a broader context, it helps bridge the digital divide," she said.

Ramani was speaking after receiving the Unlimited Potential Grant from Microsoft Malaysia on Tuesday.

The grant was presented by Microsoft Corporation community affairs senior director Akhtar Badshah. Also present at the event was Microsoft Malaysia corporate affairs senior director Hazree Mohd Turee.

The Unlimited Potential (UP) grants programme provides qualifying non-profit organisations with funding to support technology training programmes, ranging from learning basic computer skills to using advanced business productivity applications.

Tech-savvy: Representatives of NCWO and YWCA with Akhtar (back row, in dark tie) and Hazree (far right) after the presentation ceremony.

This year, the UP grants will support community technology learning centres (CTLCs) overseen by NCWO, the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) and Yayasan Salam.

The grants, worth about RM500,000 in cash, software and curriculum, are to enable individuals to learn about technology and gain the IT skills needed for employment.

About 4,000 women through- out the country are expected to benefit from the programme this year.

"This year, we will be able to extend the service to Sabah – thanks to this grant," said Ramani.

In his speech, Akhtar said it was part of Microsoft's mission to enable people and businesses throughout the world to realise their potential.

"As a company, we create technology to help people achieve their utmost potential.

"So far, more than 135 million people worldwide have benefited from the programme," he said.