DIGITAL ECONOMY: ENHANCING MALAYSIAN STUDENTS' LIVES

Syafiqah thinks that digital literacy among students is still at a satisfactory level.

The administrator of Pusat Ekonomi Digital Keluarga Malaysia (PEDi) Bandar Sri Damansara,  Syafiqah Ishak said that apart from increasing the country’s gross income, the digital economy also helps many rural students to adapt to digitalization and technological developments.

“Digital Economy has encouraged many students under the poverty line to improve their livelihoods by starting online businesses which helps them to generate a monthly satisfactory income.

“Besides, by making them a tech-savvy person and increasing their digital literacy, it also helps in preparing them to compete globally,” she said.

PEDi is one of the initiatives by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) that intends to help underprivileged students to empower their digital literacy and digital connectivity.

They provide convenient access to mobilise communities in areas with poor Internet coverage across Malaysia through one-stop centres, which are mostly located in rural areas and suburbs.

Aida is convinced that digital technology should be embraced by Malaysian students.

A second-year university student from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Rosmie Aida, 22, believes that the digital economy has brought a significant change to students’ lives.

“During my diploma years, I did a business that sells K-pop merchandise such as photo cards and memo pads with each cost RM10 through Shopee application.

“It really helped me as a student by generating side income which I am grateful for as I was able to buy my necessities,” said Aida.

Even though her online business was competitive, she thinks that the idea of doing a side hustle has given her a good exposure to the real world.

“The digital economy has also changed the way I shop as I can do my grocery shopping at the tip of my fingers through Tesco mobile app. 

“In comparison to a regular grocery shopping, I don't have to spend a lot of time getting dressed or driving, which can be a hassle and inconvenient,” she added.

She also mentioned that when she started her online business on Shopee, it was beneficial as the application also provided some business workshops for her to learn more about the E-Commerce world.  

Other than doing business, Aida has also benefited from digital technology in terms of education services.

“I really enjoy online learning on various online platforms as I get to cope better compared to a physically conducted class.

“For instance, whenever I feel like I have missed some important points mentioned by my lecturer, I can just replay the lecture video to keep track of what I have missed.

“I am also able to access many additional educational sources that are related to my course syllabus,” she said.

Arif is certain that the digital economy will help many young entrepreneurs.

For Arif Hakimi who is currently pursuing his accountancy degree at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UITM) Puncak Alam, he finds that the digital economy has boosted his confidence in doing business.

“I started a bundle business on Instagram in hopes that I can promote unique preloved items better through a form of pictures instead of a face-to-face marketing.

“Not only do I get to monitor my digital business on the go but I also get to properly allocate my time for campus-related activities.

“Apart from that, the digital economy has helped me save a lot by not spending on shop or site rental as I get to use a digital platform like Instagram as an alternative,” said Arif.

The digital shop called ‘Blackhangerthrift’ has profited him with an amount of RM350 with each of the garments ranging from RM20 to RM30 depending on various aspects such as the material quality and brand.

“Despite the difficulties in finding customers as the shop is not well recognised, it has helped me to survive my student life.

“I am now more convinced to digitally venture into other businesses in the future as the digital economy has proven that commercial activities have been made a lot easier,” he added. 

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