Swinburne’s digital tech program empowers Sarawak’s seniors

KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus recently held two transformative workshops to bridge the digital divide among Sarawak’s elderly population. Under its Digital Technology Seniors Program (DTSP), these workshops are part of the Australian university’s aim to enhance digital literacy, promote financial inclusion, and strengthen social connections among seniors.

The first workshop titled Hands-On Digital Literacy Workshop for the PAWE Community, was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development (KPWK) Sarawak, and SPay Global. More than 100 participants. including community leaders and members of Pusat Aktiviti Warga Emas (PAWE), attended the event.

Yang Berhormat Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah, Minister, Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Well-being Development officiated the workshop. In her speech, she emphasised the importance of lifelong learning among the seniors while affectionately referring to them as “University students of the University Third Age”.

“Swinburne Sarawak has played a significant role in empowering our elderly, creating invaluable opportunities for continuous learning and social engagement. Lifelong learning is crucial, and I commend their commitment to ensuring our seniors are not left behind in the digital age,” said YB Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah.

The second workshop, tailored for the Chinese-speaking community, was conducted in collaboration with the JKKK Kawasan Simpang Tiga Kenyalang and Spay Global. A total of 46 seniors participated in this session, which focused on SPay Global, WhatsApp media settings, and Google Translate. Guest of Honour Kapitan Tan Cho Yian praised the participants for embracing digital technology and commended Swinburne Sarawak for providing such crucial learning opportunities.

Through these workshops, Swinburne Sarawakaims to reduce social isolation, improve digital communication skills, and foster new social connections among seniors. The sessions also promote the adoption of digital payments, contributing to financial inclusion and supporting local economies. 

Swinburne’s DTSP aligns closely with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative supports SDG3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG4: Quality Education. The promotion of financial inclusion and digital payments aligns with SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, while efforts to bridge the digital divide support SDG10:Reduced Inequalities. The program also contributes towards SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by enhancing social cohesion and community resilience.

Launched in 2020 by Swinburne Sarawak and Foundation Rolf Schnyder (FRS), DTSP ensures that no seniors are left behind in the digital age. DTSP has also garnered national recognition, having been recognised with a national gold award at UNIMAS’ Innovation and Technology Exposition (INTEX 2022) and is one of the top 3 finalists in the Digital Economy Awards 2023, Digital Inclusivity Category.

DTSP reflects Swinburne University’s strategic vision, as outlined in its Swinburne Horizon 2025, which focuses on bringing people and technology together to create a better world. Committed to being the prototype of a new and different university for the 21st century, Swinburne focuses on technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, empowering communities and driving meaningful change through initiatives like the DTSP workshops. 

For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website, Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram page (@swinburnesarawak), X page (@Swinburne_Swk), TikTok page (@swinburnesarawak) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).