Govt to train 13,000 in ICT this year: Yee

KOTA KINABALU, August 5 (Daily Express) -- The State Government aims to train 13,000 people including teachers in information and communication technology (ICT) skills and knowledge this year.

Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai said this would be an increase from the 7,000 people they managed to train throughout last year.

This is part of the government's effort to achieve the country's ICT development agendas or policies, he said at the launching of the three-day Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry of Malaysia (PIKOM) PC Fair 2007 at Sabah Trade Centre here Friday.

"We are very much working hard towards the full implementation of the country's ICT development policiesÉand in doing so, we also need the continuous support from all those concerned like Pikom and so on," said Yee.

Also present were Pikom Chairman Lee Boon Kok, its Treasurer and PC Fair 2007 (II) organising committee chairman Low Wai Sun, as well as Councillors Ralph Tay, Woon Tai Hai, Dave Chong and Adviser Xavier Tan, among others.

Meanwhile, Pikom expects more than 40,000 visitors during the second edition of the PC Fair which is being held for the first time in the city this year.

The fair is participated by 46 exhibitors, the largest number yet compared to last year.

"This milestone is significant, as it reflects a fast growing environment which speaks highly of ICT awareness and adoption rate in the State," said Lee.

"A new horizon beckons here alongside expectations for an exponential growth in ICT adoption, especially higher Internet access, broadband subscription and greater PC penetration among households," he added, alluding to Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) latest statistics which identified 38 hotspots.

MCMC also rated Sabah's broadband penetration rate at 4.9 per 100 household as of this year's first quarter, compared to 4.5 per 100 household last year.

In addition, MCMC also recorded 21.2 per cent of households as having access to a personal computer in 2004, a growth from 17.8 per cent in 2002.

"The presence of a record-high number of exhibitors and interest from the local population augurs well for the development of ICT in the State.

We're grateful for the State government's support for this opportunity in contributing towards building a thriving ICT economy in this State," said Lee.

Low, meanwhile, said the fair is also being concurrently held in Lahad Datu.

"This is the first time we're staging the fair in Lahad Datu, where it's hosting 29 booth and 18 exhibitors. Our preliminary observation indicates there exists untapped demand and exposure from having a fair like Pikom PC Fair will boost ICT interest and awareness in Lahad Datu," he said.

The fair will help enhance the State's allure and appeal as a popular tourist destination, he said, adding they expect the fair to be popular especially among tourists and foreigners.

"We expect a higher percentage of visitors to shop and take advantage of the special promotional offers and packages at the fair," said Low.