MADANI YOUTH PROGRAMME BOOSTS DIGITAL LITERACY, NATIONAL IDENTITY

IPOH, April 1 (Bernama) -- A total of 1,500 lecturers and students from the Ipoh Teacher Education Institute (IPG) participated in the MADANI Belia Prihatin Negara Programme, aimed at strengthening youth identity and digital literacy in facing contemporary challenges.

Education Deputy Director-General (Professional Development Sector) Datuk Amzan Abd Malek said the programme serves as a key platform to equip youths, particularly future educators, with the skills and resilience needed to navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape.

“This programme emphasises the development of critical thinking and mental resilience among participants, in line with current educational demands that require a balance between academic excellence and strong character.

“It also integrates elements of nationalism, digital literacy and cultural appreciation as part of a holistic approach to youth development, aligned with the aspirations of a MADANI Malaysia,” he said after officiating the programme at Sri Tanjung Hall, IPG Ipoh Campus, today.

Also present were Community Communication Department (JKOM) Director-General Datuk Ismail Yusop, Perak Education Director Zulkafli Mohamed Mokhtar and Ipoh IPG Director Dr Hamidah Samsudin.

Amzan said the programme addresses two key challenges facing youth today, cybersecurity threats and identity issues.

“Various activities have been organised to enhance awareness and understanding, including the Safe Internet Campaign in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI).

“A demonstration of Cekak Perak Silat was also held to strengthen cultural identity and patriotism, alongside a national town hall session featuring JKOM leadership in an interactive dialogue with participants,” he said.

He added that the programme involved collaboration among strategic partners from the education sector, government agencies, communities and non-governmental organisations to further strengthen the national youth development agenda.

Meanwhile, Ismail, in his speech, said youths play a crucial role as agents of change in realising the aspirations of a MADANI Malaysia, forming the backbone of a society that is competitive, ethical and capable of critical thinking.

However, he acknowledged that youths today face multiple challenges in a post-normal era marked by uncertainty.

“This uncertainty can gradually erode the spirit of patriotism, especially with the growing threat of disinformation on social media. Therefore, new approaches must be adopted in daily life,” he said.

-- BERNAMA