SECOND RDC IN KELANTAN OPEN TO PUBLIC, PROVIDES ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

KOTA BHARU, April 24 (Bernama) -- The second Ruang Daya Cipta (RDC) in Kelantan is now open to the public, offering an inclusive platform that provides access to technology, innovation, and entrepreneurial training for all, regardless of background or digital literacy level.

Yayasan Inovatif Malaysia (YIM) chief executive officer Dr Sharmila Mohamed Salleh said the initiative by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) provided an open platform for all levels of society to access technological facilities that were once available only at higher learning institutions and research centres.

“We bring the technology available at colleges and universities here for everyone to use. This RDC is not just a space; it also offers training in Science, Technology, Innovation, and Economics (STIE) as well as entrepreneurship.

“Participants need not have expertise in digital or innovation fields, as training and guidance are provided, alongside access to laboratories, 3D printing equipment, computers, digital studios, robotics, drones, and large digital screens,” she told a press conference after the Kota Bharu RDC opening ceremony here.

Also present was MOSTI deputy secretary-general (Science Planning and Cultivation) Ruziah Shafei.

Since its inception in 2021, Sharmila said a total of 21 RDCs have been established nationwide, each with different implementation models tailored to the respective states and the involvement of relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The first RDC in Kelantan was opened in Tumpat last year.

“Each state has between two and three RDCs, except for Perlis, which has yet to have the facility. We are currently identifying suitable locations for RDCs in Perlis, while Kedah already has one in Langkawi,” she said.

Sharmila said that this year, MOSTI has proposed the establishment of 10 additional RDCs in several states, including Pahang, Putrajaya, and Sarawak, with the cost of each RDC estimated at RM300,000, covering complete equipment and facilities.

“To date, more than 13,000 individuals have used the RDC facilities across the country, while over 11,000 have participated in the various training programmes provided. The target groups include school students, women, and civil servants.

“For example, there are civil servants who wish to develop innovative products for their departments. With the complete facilities available at the RDC, they can transform their ideas into reality, not just as prototypes, but as projects that can be seen and evaluated,” she said.

Sharmila said that all RDCs were equipped with high-speed internet and included components such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and other smart technologies as part of the mission to broaden access to technology for all Malaysians.

-- BERNAMA