Latest news with #AdvancingFutureSkillsforAll
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Pilot AI initiative launched for selected S'gor schools
PETALING JAYA: Selangor is set to roll out a pilot programme to help students and teachers adapt to artificial intelligence (AI), starting with selected schools in four districts. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the initiative is part of the state's long-term plan to cultivate a generation equipped with critical thinking skills and a strong foundation in AI literacy. 'This is not just about being users or consumers of AI. We want to shape students to become creators and thinkers. 'We are starting with three schools per district, covering B40, urban and rural areas,' he said at a media conference at the launch of Advancing Future Skills for All (FS4A) Selangor Scale-Up yesterday. He said the programme is in line with the Selangor Structure Plan 2035, particularly its focus on accelerating digital-led economic growth and ensuring inclusive, high-quality education opportunities for all. Amirudin said the initiative, supported by Google and implemented by Arus Academy in collaboration with the Education Ministry, Unicef, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation and CelcomDigi, is not just timely but also strategic. 'This programme is a brilliant example of what a public-private partnership can achieve. We have Google and CelcomDigi deeply committed to our communities and ensuring every Malaysian child gets vital digital skills,' he said at the launch. 'We have nearly one million students enrolled in public schools up to Form 6. This initiative aims to explore how AI-related skills can be integrated at scale across Selangor. 'A state-level white paper on AI is also being developed to support long-term policy planning.' Arus Academy co-founder David Chak said the programme currently focuses on four districts – Gombak, Petaling Perdana, Petaling Utama and Klang. Schools were selected based on demographic distribution, poverty levels and overall readiness, in close coordination with district education offices. 'There's no one-size-fits-all approach. We work with each school to understand its specific context and tailor support accordingly.' At present, 88 schools are participating in the training. Each school sends one teacher and two students, and small grants of RM500 are provided to support school-based AI projects. Chak said the FS4A platform, launched during the pandemic, now has over 270,000 users and more than two million page views. Data analytics are employed to measure impact, track participation trends and enhance delivery across various school types. To date, the programme has reached over 13,000 students, with 3,350 successfully completing the modules. In its current phase, the programme aims to train at least 120 teachers across 40 schools by August, with classroom implementation expected to begin immediately thereafter. CelcomDigi Sustainability head Philip Ling said Selangor was chosen for the programme due to its dense school population, making it an ideal testing ground following the initial rollout in rural Sarawak. 'These tactical choices allow us to refine our approach based on different school environments.' Unicef education specialist Azlina Kamal said the programme was co-developed with the ministry and is integrated into national subjects such as Science and Design & Technology. 'Offline kits were also developed for students in rural and underserved areas, including indigenous and disabled communities, to ensure access without relying on internet connectivity.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Selangor Launches AI Pilot in Schools with Google Collaboration
PETALING JAYA: Selangor is set to roll out a pilot programme to help students and teachers adapt to artificial intelligence (AI), starting with selected schools in four districts. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the initiative is part of the state's long-term plan to cultivate a generation equipped with critical thinking skills and a strong foundation in AI literacy. 'This is not just about being users or consumers of AI. We want to shape students to become creators and thinkers. 'We are starting with three schools per district, covering B40, urban and rural areas,' he said at a media conference at the launch of Advancing Future Skills for All (FS4A) Selangor Scale-Up yesterday. He said the programme is in line with the Selangor Structure Plan 2035, particularly its focus on accelerating digital-led economic growth and ensuring inclusive, high-quality education opportunities for all. Amirudin said the initiative, supported by Google and implemented by Arus Academy in collaboration with the Education Ministry, Unicef, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation and CelcomDigi, is not just timely but also strategic. 'This programme is a brilliant example of what a public-private partnership can achieve. We have Google and CelcomDigi deeply committed to our communities and ensuring every Malaysian child gets vital digital skills,' he said at the launch. 'We have nearly one million students enrolled in public schools up to Form 6. This initiative aims to explore how AI-related skills can be integrated at scale across Selangor. 'A state-level white paper on AI is also being developed to support long-term policy planning.' Arus Academy co-founder David Chak said the programme currently focuses on four districts – Gombak, Petaling Perdana, Petaling Utama and Klang. Schools were selected based on demographic distribution, poverty levels and overall readiness, in close coordination with district education offices. 'There's no one-size-fits-all approach. We work with each school to understand its specific context and tailor support accordingly.' At present, 88 schools are participating in the training. Each school sends one teacher and two students, and small grants of RM500 are provided to support school-based AI projects. Chak said the FS4A platform, launched during the pandemic, now has over 270,000 users and more than two million page views. Data analytics are employed to measure impact, track participation trends and enhance delivery across various school types. To date, the programme has reached over 13,000 students, with 3,350 successfully completing the modules. In its current phase, the programme aims to train at least 120 teachers across 40 schools by August, with classroom implementation expected to begin immediately thereafter. CelcomDigi Sustainability head Philip Ling said Selangor was chosen for the programme due to its dense school population, making it an ideal testing ground following the initial rollout in rural Sarawak. 'These tactical choices allow us to refine our approach based on different school environments.' Unicef education specialist Azlina Kamal said the programme was co-developed with the ministry and is integrated into national subjects such as Science and Design & Technology. 'Offline kits were also developed for students in rural and underserved areas, including indigenous and disabled communities, to ensure access without relying on internet connectivity.'
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Selangor committed to future proofing its younger generation, says MB
SUBANG: Selangor is keen to future-proof its next generation by equipping students with essential digital skills needed to keep pace with rapid global development, said Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. Applauding the commencement of Advancing Future Skills for All (FS4A) Selangor Scale-Up on Wednesday (June 11), he said it aligns with the aspirations laid out in Rancangan Struktur Negeri Selangor 2035, particularly Teras 1 on strengthening economic growth through digital transformation, and Teras 3 involving inclusive and equitable access to quality education. "This scale-up initiative in Selangor, generously supported by Google and implemented by Arus Academy in collaboration with the Education Ministry, Unicef, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and CelcomDigi, is not just timely, it is strategic. "This programme is a brilliant example of what a public-private partnership can achieve. We have Google and CelcomDigi, deeply committed to our communities and ensuring every Malaysian child gets vital digital skills,' he said in his opening speech during the launch of FS4A - Selangor Scale Up here today. Amirudin also said the programme is also expected to complement state government initiative involving Artificial Intelilligence (AI) Trailblazers. "We believe that this is an effort that will lead to our ability to enter the AI realm boldly, not just as users or consumers but as part of the creators of the future," he said. Meanwhile, CelcomDigi, in a statement, noted that the programme, funded by Google, is tailored to address real needs on the ground, beginning with schools in the education districts of Gombak, Petaling Utama, Petaling Perdana, and Klang, with a three-phase rollout from June to September this year. According to the statement, selected teachers of Computer Science and Design and Technology subjects as well as District Education Officers will be upskilled and trained to co-lead digital workshops for fellow teachers in their districts aimed to create a multiplier effect across schools, especially in underserved and near low-cost housing areas. It also stated that in Phase one, 48 teachers will undergo a one-day intensive session to become Master Trainers within their districts. "These Master Trainers, with the support of the District Education Officers will then colead Phase 2 by conducting hands-on digital skills workshops in 10 schools each in their respective districts, reaching over 120 teachers and students across 40 schools from July-August. "In Phase three, these trained teachers will implement FS4A training materials in the classrooms, resulting in over 13,000 students across 88 schools being digitally equipped. Participating schools will receive grants to run school-based digital learning projects tailored to their students,' according to the statement. - Bernama
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Selangor committed to future proof its younger generation
SUBANG: Selangor is keen to future-proof its next generation by equipping students with essential digital skills needed to keep pace with rapid global development, said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. Applauding the commencement of Advancing Future Skills for All (FS4A) Selangor Scale-Up today, he said it aligns with the aspirations laid out in Rancangan Struktur Negeri Selangor 2035, particularly Teras 1 on strengthening economic growth through digital transformation, and Teras 3 involving inclusive and equitable access to quality education. 'This scale-up initiative in Selangor, generously supported by Google and implemented by ARUS Academy in collaboration with the Education Ministry, UNICEF, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and CelcomDigi, is not just timely, it is strategic. 'This programme is a brilliant example of what a public-private partnership can achieve. We have Google and CelcomDigi, deeply committed to our communities and ensuring every Malaysian child gets vital digital skills,' he said in his opening speech during the launch of FS4A - Selangor Scale Up here today. Amirudin also said the programme is also expected to complement state government initiative involving Artificial Intelilligence (AI) Trailblazers. 'We believe that this is an effort that will lead to our ability to enter the AI realm boldly, not just as users or consumers but as part of the creators of the future,' he said. Meanwhile, CelcomDigi, in a statement, noted that the programme, funded by Google, is tailored to address real needs on the ground, beginning with schools in the education districts of Gombak, Petaling Utama, Petaling Perdana, and Klang, with a three-phase rollout from June to September this year. According to the statement, selected teachers of Computer Science and Design and Technology subjects as well as District Education Officers will be upskilled and trained to co-lead digital workshops for fellow teachers in their districts aimed to create a multiplier effect across schools, especially in underserved and near low-cost housing areas. It also stated that in Phase one, 48 teachers will undergo a one-day intensive session to become Master Trainers within their districts. 'These Master Trainers, with the support of the District Education Officers will then colead Phase 2 by conducting hands-on digital skills workshops in 10 schools each in their respective districts, reaching over 120 teachers and students across 40 schools from July-August. 'In Phase three, these trained teachers will implement FS4A training materials in the classrooms, resulting in over 13,000 students across 88 schools being digitally equipped. Participating schools will receive grants to run school-based digital learning projects tailored to their students,' according to the statement.
