CYBERJAYA, The dedication of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) teacher from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bagan Serai in Perak to highlight the aspect of cyber security to his students has received recognition through two awards at the Malaysian ICT Volunteer Excellence Awards 2023 (MEA 2023).
Azharul Faiz Zainal Abidin, 42, who is also the co-curriculum deputy head of SK Bagan Serai, emerged as the Best Overall Volunteer in MEA 2023, receiving the ‘Excellence Award’ for the Malaysia ICT Volunteer (MIV) with School category and the ‘Superstar Award’ for the Special MIV Award category.
Speaking to reporters after the MEA 2023 ceremony here today, Azharul Faiz said he chose to implement projects on cyber security and ICT awareness programmes due to the increasing prevalence of issues such as fraud and fake news on the Internet.
“The project was carried out from March to October in collaboration with the school’s Crime Prevention Club and all educators. The type of programme organised involved the dissemination of information about cyber security and smart online activities,” said Azharul Faiz who was celebrated alongside with 21 other MEA 2023 winners.
Affectionately known as Cikgu Faiz, he added that he has implemented various innovative activities before, involving ICT concepts, such as the ‘Jom Sifir’ concept, an application that allows users to practise mathematics through smartphones.
The MIV (Malaysia ICT Volunteer) project, introduced in 2016, is under the management of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Up until now, it has trained 10,247 volunteers from various backgrounds capable of advancing and creating ICT applications and services that benefit daily life.
Among the other services provided by MIV volunteers are implementing online marketing strategies to assist local entrepreneurs in promoting their products, educating responsible use of ICT and fostering community awareness of MCMC’s advocacy messages.
Two additional award recipients in the MIV with School category are Tan Ke Sin of Penang and Jessica James Sikain of Tawau, Sabah.
Other categories under MEA include Individual MIV with Community and Best MIV Content.
Meanwhile, speaking at the event, MCMC chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din hopes the awards would inspire other volunteers to come forward and share ideas, skills, and expertise in implementing high-impact projects for the community.
“MCMC will further invest in all these programmes to make sure that we achieve a very high level of voluntary services that are out there so that it will serve every aspect of the people, the urban, semi-urban and the rural areas,” he said.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency