Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) has embarked on a wave of initiatives to play a more active and bigger corporate citizen role in the social development of the State through strategic leadership and collaborated leveraging of ICT. The Rural ICT Guided Home-based Technopreneur (RIGHT) Programme is one of such initiatives targeted at bridging the urban-rural digital divide on a sustainable basis.

The Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak, Y.B. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, who is also the Chairman of SAINS, launches the programme today at Miri Indoor Stadium. The event is also held in conjunction with the PIKOM PC Fair 2006.

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri George Chan, in his speech said, "The launching of the RIGHT initiative this morning is the culmination of several years of careful planning and hard work by SAINS."

Briefly, under the RIGHT programme, sponsored candidates from rural communities are given subsidised training by SAINS and sent back to their respective communities to provide, among other things, hardware and network support as well as desktop software training and e-commerce solutions. Subsequently, they operate from their homes as self-employed technopreneurs with the safety-net of SAINS as technological mentor. SAINS also assists them in directly getting local jobs, such as from rural schools, as well as contract their services for rural projects where applicable.

The RIGHT initiative with its collaborative and sustainable emphasis is unique in Malaysia. In fact it was conceptualised and designed personally by the CEO of SAINS, Mr Teo Tien Hiong. Its implementation has generated a good deal of attention and received very strong support from various organisations with interests in rural community development and related social agenda. The major organisations among these include the Ministry of Rural and Land Development, the Education Department, Mobif Berhad, and Intel.

The first batch of 5 RIGHT candidates has now returned to their respective communities in Merapok, Matu, Betong and Serian. SAINS has been able to assist most of the candidates to generate income for themselves through local work such as PC support and maintenance and training.

Expressing his gratitude to the relevant parties in making the programme a success, Datuk Patinggi said, "This broad-based approach is very much appreciated; and in connection with the launching of the RIGHT programme today, I would like to specifically thank the major organisations and parties that have committed substantial time and resources to jointly support this program."

"The first party is the Ministry of Rural and Land Development. They were the sponsor of the first batch of 5 RIGHT candidates who have now returned to their respective communities. The second party is the Education Department and the principals of rural schools. After being approached by the RIGHT candidates with the assurance from SAINS, they have agreed to take advantage of the low cost training to be provided for rural school students," Datuk Patinggi explained.

He added: "The third party is Mobif Berhad which is a Mesdaq listed company. They have agreed to donate a substantial number of VOIP telephone sets for rural communities to make cheap or free telephone calls and access to the rest of the world. This will provide another income opportunity for the local RIGHT candidate. Mobif Berhad has also agreed to sponsor the training of 10 RIGHT candidates over the next 2 years.

"The fourth party is Intel, which is a major multinational corporation. They have given their strong commitment to support the program by working with SAINS and lending their expertise wherever applicable to help SAINS deliver on its mandate."

For more information on RIGHT Programme, visit www.emoss.com.my/right.