(Eastern Times; November 1, 2007)

LIMBANG: In another initiative by Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) to narrow the rural-urban digital divide in Sarawak, a 3-day ICT camp is organised for a group of 100 secondary school students from SMK Limbang, SMK Agama Limbang, SMK Kubong, SMK Seri Patiambun and SMK Medamit.

Jointly organised by SAINS, Kementerian Pembangunan Luar Bandar Negeri Sarawak, Unit ICT di Jabatan Ketua Menteri, Pejabat Gabungan Bahagian Limbang and Sekolah Menegah Kerajaan Limbang, the camp was held from October 29 to 31 at SMK Limbang.

The camp with the theme 'Bringing IT to You' is an educational activity under the Rural ICT Guided Home-based Technopreneur (RIGHT) Programme launched in 2006.

RIGHT, a holistic approach targeted at bridging the urban-rural digital divide on a sustainable basis, involves leveraging the wide range of specialised ICT skills in SAINS, its established Technical Support Units at the Divisional level, as well as the reach of SarawakNet from Kuching all the way down to the sub-district level.

SAINS chief executive officer Teo Tien Hiong officiated at the closing ceremony yesterday.

The camp is a platform to create awareness among the younger generation on the importance of ICT in daily life. With a combination of lectures, demonstrations, group case studies and quizzes, students are exposed to ICT tools and software resources.

The organisers hope that the event would also draw interested parties such as government bodies, corporate bodies and local network-groups to join in the campaign to promote and source funding for ICT development and organise more ICT programs in the rural area of Sarawak.