PETALLING JAYA: In collaboration with a Chinese educational organization, MCA will delve deeper into matters and difficulties faced by young people, as stated by Datuk Dr. Monna Ong Siew Siew.
The collaborative initiative with the Institute of Sociology at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences will encompass arranging seminars, conferences, and forums. Additionally, it involves a five-year research project centered around youth-related matters, as mentioned by the head of MCA’s Public Policy and People’s Livelihood Research Advisory Committee.
Ong mentioned that the mutual agreement was signed on Sunday (May 11).
This pact represents a crucial move towards enhancing the academic cooperation and mutual comprehension between the two institutions.
“These efforts are geared towards fostering discussions and facilitating the exchange of scholarly information and assets,” she stated in a release on Monday (May 12).
Ong highlighted that significant hurdles encountered by youth in Malaysia and Southeast Asia during the digital era were examined at the International Symposium on the Digital Society and Youth Development.
She pointed out that even though Malaysia’s internet adoption rate stands at an impressive 96.8%, there is still over a 30% disparity in advanced digital abilities between students from urban and rural areas.
This restricts numerous young people from competing and thriving in an increasingly digital landscape.
The digital landscape is altering the way youth might perceive thoughts and emotions, as excessive use of online platforms raises worries regarding psychological well-being.
As per UNICEF, over fifty percent of young people acknowledge a significant discrepancy between their online persona and their actual self, potentially resulting in disconnection that exacerbates stress and anxiety levels,” she further stated.
Ong stated that they agreed upon a common objective: to create a robust, equitable, and progressive digital environment tailored for young people.
The suggested approaches included integrating digital citizenship education into the regular school curriculum, instructing students on assessing information and using media appropriately, as well as setting up support mechanisms within educational institutions to foster mental toughness.
These include “Digital Mental Health Watchpoints” which utilize AI technology and mental health metrics to track and address students’ online behaviors and overall wellness.
Ong further mentioned that youth ought to be motivated to shift from being mere spectators to becoming proactive contributors by establishing “community digital learning environments” aimed at boosting their sense of connection and innovative spirit.
She mentioned that there is an urgent need to enhance ASEAN regional cooperation through harmonizing policies in critical sectors such as cybersecurity and data management.
Various Malaysian academics participated in the discussion as well, featuring Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yee Mun Chin from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yap Weng Chung from Tunku Abdul Rahman University, Sabah MCA Youth State Chairman Roger Yapp Kah Chong, along with Dr. Martin Paul Davies, who leads Henry VIII College Malaysia.