Jalaluddin Abdul Malek

Telecenters in the Development of the Smart Village (SV): Cybergogy for Multicultural Transformation

Cybergogy which is made available via telecenters in rural Malaysia has the potential to produce a knowledgeable community that is the foundation of a Smart Village (SV). By 2007, Malaysia had more than two thousand telecentres that served as vehicles for the development of SVs. The telecenters’ three operational units are the Mini Rural Transformation Center (mini RTC), the 1Malaysia Internet Center and the Rural Internet Centre. Learning undertaken in rural internet centers since 2015 has emphasized the Bridging Digital Divide (BDD) Program that involves the use of the computer and the Internet. Internet Centers are paying more attention to the transformation of the culture and thinking of the rural population to achieve a hybrid economy that melds social economy with online business. The method of learning that is adopted is cybergogy, which valueadds the elements of peeragogy and synergy. The present study poses the question as to the extent cybergogy effected through the Mini RTC telecenter has brought about a multicultural transformation in a smart community (SC). This study also examines the effects of cybergogy as implemented in Malaysia, based on world views as well as on knowledge and practices adopted by rural SCs in SVs. The results are modest in terms of achievements in the SC. An explanation for this limited success is that cybergogy at telecenters has received only moderate reception Keywords— Cybergogy; Telecenter; Smart Village; Multicultural; Transformation

Konsep keupayaan penyerapan akademia dan inovasi sosial dalam konteks pembangunan bandar berasaskan pengetahuan

Inovasi adalah penting dalam meningkatkan daya saing negara dan menyumbang kepada pembangunan bandar berasaskan pengetahuan. Pembangunan inovasi yang hanya menumpukan pada perspektif ekonomi mendorong kepada ketidakseimbangan pembangunan apabila wujud jurang pertumbuhan ekonomi dan pembangunan sosial masyarakat. Kemunculan inovasi sosial merupakan pelengkap kepada inovasi perusahaan yang hanya fokus kepada keuntungan. Aspek inovasi sosial mula ditekankan dalam pembangunan di Malaysia agar masalah serta keperluan sosial masyarakat dipenuhi. Secara umumnya, pembangunan inovasi sosial melibatkan aktor dan struktur. Artikel ini memfokuskan kepada aktor inovasi sosial yang tertumpu kepada individu, iaitu akademia. Teori keupayaan penyerapan digunakan untuk mengukur keupayaan akademia dalam menjana pembentukan inovasi sosial. Justeru, artikel ini menghuraikan konsep keupayaan penyerapan dan inovasi sosial dalam konteks pembangunan bandar berasaskan pengetahuan. Kajian literatur berkenaan keupayaan penyerapan dan perkembangan inovasi sosial merangkumi keupayaan pengetahuan, pembelajaran, pembangunan, kesosialan dan jalinan turut dibincangkan. Berdasarkan dapatan literatur peranan inovasi sosial dalam penyelidikan akademia menyumbang kepada penghasilan inovasi bernilai tinggi dalam konteks ekonomi, sosial dan teknologi. Oleh itu, inovasi sosial memainkan peranan penting dalam mencapai keamanan sosial yang menyumbang kepada peningkatan kelestarian masyarakat dan daya saing negara bagi memenuhi matlamat pembangunan negara.

UNDERSTANDING LOCAL AUTHORITY PERFORMANCE THROUGH ROLE THEORY

Local government performance is frequently interpreted through stakeholders’ satisfaction measured by statistical analyses. Apart from testing the relationship, the perception of satisfaction on services provided is further influenced by the degree of expectation being met, and understanding the customer behaviour. Thus, this study attempts to explore an alternative explanation on the character of the local authority (LA) and put in perspective through the comprehension of the role theory. This was an exploratory case study on Kulim Hi-tech Local Authority, Malaysia. The mixed method approaches were firstly carried out by questionnaire surveys, followed by interviewing stakeholders and ended with site observations. Descriptive analyses were applied to the random samples. Findings showed that the LA has executed its roles of control and collect very well. However, it did not fare well in the role of publish.

Empowering the community through ICT innovation

One of the Malaysian governments missions in achieving its 2020 vision includes developing and providing access to ICTs in the country. In fact, the government has been aggressive in its initiative in providing the necessary environment to empower the people in ICT through various innovations in computer and technology. This paper discusses the impact on a particular community in East Malaysia, with the introduction of a computer innovation named JENii. This product is designed by the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS). The findings showed that the device is well accepted by the community and several benefits were derived. The paper ends by proposing a framework which can be used as a guide in helping the Malaysian governments initiative in bridging the digital divide and in encouraging its citizens to move towards an e-inclusion society. The framework is named the AI4 framework, which includes access, adaptability, acceptance, attitude, innovation and inclusion.