Yayasan TM (YTM) and Yayasan Diraja Sultan Mizan (YDSM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower youth from the B40 socioeconomic group with vital digital entrepreneurship skills for them to thrive and compete in the digital market space. The programme costing approximately RM400,000 is shared between YTM, YDSM and Multimedia University (MMU).

The collaboration also involved other parties namely Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA).

The signing of the MoU was graced by the esteemed presence of Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Al-Wathiqu Billah, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Dato’ Zainal Abidin Putih, Chairman of YTM said, “Through their involvement in the Siswazah Usahawan Digital Terengganu (SISDIT) programme, the participants can acquire holistic entrepreneurship skills and knowledge while earning them the globally acknowledged digital qualification, International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) Digital Marketing Certification to complete their skill sets. These would greatly benefit them as they enter the job market. YTM remains committed in its efforts to support the nation-building agenda of promoting socioeconomic development among the underserved communities.”

YTM was represented by Dato’ Zainal Abidin, while signing on behalf of YDSM was its Board of Trustee member, Dato’ Dr Che Ab Rahim Nik. Meanwhile, MMU was represented by Ir. Prof. Dr. Hairul Azhar Abdul Rashid, Vice President Market Exploration, Engagement and Touchpoints; UMT was represented by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar while UniSZA was represented by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Fadzli Adam. Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, Deputy Chairman of YTM who is also the Group Chief Executive Officer of TM was also present to witness the ceremony.

As part of the collaboration, YTM embarked on SISDIT, offering digital entrepreneurship training to 27 carefully selected students of UniSZA and UMT. This intensive 20-day training took place at MMU Cyberjaya campus, leveraging on the expertise of MMU Cynergy, a wholly owned subsidiary of MMU. The training modules included digital content development, design thinking, business ethics, e-commerce and business model canvas, to further unleash the potential of the participants in digital entrepreneurship.

“Each partner in this collaboration will play significant roles in helping the participants succeed in their entrepreneurial ventures by connecting them to opportunities to foster their digital business's development. We hope their success through this programme will encourage their youth peers to take chances and unleash their full potential for a more sustainable living,” Dato’ Zainal Abidin concluded.

To date, YTM’s entrepreneurship-related endeavours, including SISDIT, have benefited over 300 entrepreneurs and created new businesses opportunities for marginalised communities, including B40, asnaf and women, nationwide. In line with YTM’s aspiration as a purpose-driven social impact foundation, this continuous effort aims to nurture individual potential in contributing to the positive socioeconomic through digital and technology solutions for the nation.