Bridging the Digital Divide: An Analysis of the Training Program at Malaysian Telecenters

摘要

Telecenter is a physical space that provides and enables public usage of ICT facilities and Internet access such as online communication tools and online learning resources from educational portal. Malaysian government initatiated the bridge digital divide program via telecenter beginning 2000 as an effort to boost the use and access of ICT among rural communities and marginalized groups in Malaysia. One of the important components in ensuring the sustainability of the telecenter and to ensure that telecenter plays important roles in empowering the communities is the ICT training program. This paper presented a study conducted on the effectiveness of the training programs offered at the telecenter which include training for policy maker and telecenter managers. Analysis via document analysis, interviews and observation showed that the absence of a standard training program for all models of telecenters in Malaysia and standard evaluation procedures limit the certification for the telecenter managers and also community members who attended the program. Therefore, it is suggested that a training framework is introduce for all telecenter. The framework,which include ICT related skills as well as roles of the telecenter managers, leadership, developing business plan and marketing strategies, can be used as a template in the implementation of training programs at respective telecenters.