Duopharma contributes RM1 mil to Malaysia's drive to close digital learning gap

LEADING pharmaceuticals and healthcare company, Duopharma Biotech Berhad has contributed RM1 million to the Cerdik programme, a national initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF), to provide 646 devices comprising laptops with data connectivity to students from low-income families. 

Announced in Malaysia's Budget 2021, Cerdik is a pioneering corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative by government-linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs), which is aimed at supporting lower-income families to better adjust to the new normal of online lessons, e-learning and other forms of remote teaching.

Commending the timeliness of the initiative, Duopharma Biotech Group Managing Director, Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar commented: "Undoubtedly, Covid-19 has proved to be a double-edged spotlight, bringing into sharp focus both positive and negative disruptions to the way we work, live and learn. Indeed, as exemplified by the Cerdik initiative, closing the digital gap and promulgating digital learning are among critical catalytic moves that are required to inclusively build an essential talent platform, one that will help drive our nation's sustainable growth into the global digital economy. Duopharma Biotech is therefore delighted to be a key component of this concerted drive as a pilot project to enhance digital access and long-term remote learning."

To date, close to 69,000 devices have been distributed by GLC/GLICs to various State Education Departments through Yayasan Hasanah with the balance expected to be distributed in stages and completed by end-September 2021. Funding for this pilot project has been generated solely from GLC/GLICs and corporate donors, each with its due governance processes.

Shahira Ahmed Bazari, Managing Director of Yayasan Hasanah, the Secretariat of Program Cerdik, coordinating the private sector’s support in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education commented: “We thank Duopharma Biotech Berhad for their support to Cerdik, one of the most comprehensive digital learning pilot initiatives in public schools nationwide.

"Cerdik provides good quality and reliable learning devices to students, and is paired with technical support, connectivity and warranty. Despite global supply issues in respect of accessing good quality laptops, Cerdik is now on track to deliver the devices based on the stipulated timelines." – The Vibes, July 29, 2021