'PINTAR' - ANOTHER CSR COMMITMENT BY TM

Students from two primary schools in Penang will now have an opportunity to upgrade their IT skills and improve their academic achievements courtesy of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM). As part of the Group’s long-term commitment towards nation building, TM is playing a key role in PINTAR programme, a community-based programme towards improving the socio-economic standard through education achievement.

PINTAR, a programme initiated by the Ministry of Finance is driven by Khazanah Nasional together with GLCs, and is aimed at creating awareness on the importance of good academic achievement among students from the low household income group as a good academic achievement will ensure a better future allowing them to improve their living standards.

Under the programme, TM has adopted two schools namely Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Indera Muda and Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Penanti, in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. The schools were selected based on their location in the sub-urban areas. Furthermore, as the parents in this community come under the category of the low household income, the students also lack sufficient education tools.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of TM’s PINTAR programme today, Tan Sri Dato’ Ir. Md. Radzi Mansor, Chairman of TM, said: “TM started its initiative since February this year prior to today’s launch, by equipping each school with 21 computers. In addition, a total of 6 training sessions were held for 200 students to introduce them to the use of computers and the Internet. The teachers also have Internet-ready PCs in the Teachers’ Room for easy access to the Internet. TM will continue to equip the computer labs of both schools, not only with ICT peripherals and broadband connection, but also relevant software and applications in order to establish a conducive teaching and learning environment.”

TM has allocated RM400,000 over a period of 3 years until 2009 for the two schools to conduct various activities including training and workshops on UPSR examination, English Language workshops, computer management and maintenance workshops, motivational courses and educational visits to Kuala Lumpur. In addition, TM’s subsidiaries will also contribute and play a significant role to ensure the success of this programme. The students will be exposed to educational software by TMNet namely BlueHyppo B-Smart, an education portal; Bestari Ed, an online learning aid software and e-Exam, an online version of examination modules by TM Smart School. On top of that, the students will be able to participate in Celcom X-change, a character-building programme to unveil their leadership, teamwork and self-integrity.

The students are not the only ones benefiting from this PINTAR programme. Parents and teachers stand to gain from the programme as teachers will be trained on computer maintenance, website development and utilizing multimedia in teaching process while the parents as well as local communities can attend the Parenting Seminars. In addition, a group of students from Multimedia University (MMU) will stay with their ‘adopted family’ and volunteer their services to the community.

Dato’ Abdul Wahid Omar, Group Chief Executive Officer of TM, said: “PINTAR is one of the several key community initiatives that TM is involved in. We are dedicated to making a difference in the communities we operate in and one of the best ways is through investing in education. Through our participation, we hope to create awareness on the importance of education among the sub-urban communities which eventually will assist in the establishment of knowledge workers, in line with the Government’s aspirations. The programme is also expected to produce an IT literate generation that will be able to compete in the current fast-paced ICT environment.”

Tan Sri Radzi added, “This programme forms a part of TM’s larger Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) initiative under its three-pronged approach namely education, sports development and community/nation building. Programmes of this nature demonstrate TM’s commitment towards the nation’s growth, not only economically but also socially. TM, as a leading communications company, will continue to play a pivotal role in supporting national aspirations.”

In 2004, TM in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications adopted Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Ayer Lanas in Jeli, Kelantan for a three-year “Sekolah Angkat” project which saw some significant achievements including 2nd runner-up in Best School – Web Design for Kelantan in 2006 and the increase in the number of students from the school obtaining a place in local institutions of higher learning (IPTs), from 11 in 2004 to 26 students in 2006.

About TM
Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), a leading regional information and communications group, offers a comprehensive range of communication services and solutions in fixed-line, mobile, data and broadband. As one of the largest listed companies on Bursa Malaysia with an operating revenue of more than RM16 billion, TM is driven to deliver value to its stakeholders in a highly competitive environment.

The Group places emphasis on continuing customer service quality enhancements and innovations. Currently, with investments and operations in 13 countries around Asia and globally, TM is focused on sustainable growth in both the local and international markets.

For further information on TM, visit www.tm.com.my

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