Digital Skills

MALAYSIA TECH MONTH 2021: DIGITAL SKILLS

Malaysia Tech Month 2021 featured a week-long emphasis on digital skills in the current global digitalised economy.

The week-long emphasis presented an action-packed array of insights on digital skills, digital jobs, university initiatives and much more. The final session of the week featured a team of dynamic ladies operating in the digital economy. The session featured two tracks on Digital Freelancing and Learner’s Lifelong Learning Sharing Experience.

DIGITAL FREELANCING, TURNING YOUR SKILLS INTO INCOME

In this session, MDEC’s Muhammad Haris Hasan, Manager Community Enablement, and Nur Ashikin Halil, Member of the Global Online Workforce (GLOW) shared their insights on digital freelancing. Muhammad said that under the current pandemic situation and with the availability of job opportunities, youths or the millennials generation are more skewed towards selfemployment and digital freelancing.

A freelancer and solopreneur since 2016, Nur Ashikin shared her journey in digital freelancing. She explained that there is often a fine line distinguishing remote working and freelancing. Nur Ashikin started out on this journey by joining the GLOW MDEC Programme which provided step-by-step guidance on becoming a successful online worker. She advised that there are many platforms online through which online workers can seek out job opportunities. On the reasons for becoming a freelancer, Nur Ashikin stressed the advantage of flexible schedules, versatile work arrangements, multinational exposure, earning competitive rates, and selecting desirable projects. Digital freelancing also provides multiple income streams based on the capacity of the freelancer. Amidst the exciting proposition that freelancing offers, Nur Ashikin also acknowledged the challenges involved. She pointed out that with the current pandemic situation, and with more freelancers available in the market, one has to be ready to be competitive and stay above the competition. Aside from that, freelancers are constantly on the move across multiple markets and require consistent creativity in all areas. She added that freelancers have to be self-motivated amidst tough times, think out-of-the-box, manage finances efficiently, research market value and common trends, be inclusive and professional. She encouraged upcoming freelancers to attend the GLOW Pemulih Programme to learn about the dynamics of being a successful freelancer.

LEARNER’S LIFELONG LEARNING SHARING EXPERIENCE

The session, which was moderated by Allan Cheah, Head Strategy & Advocacy, Digital Skills and Job Divisions, MDEC, featured three panellists namely, Datin TS Dr Siti Hanom Marjuni, Deputy Director ICT Infrastructure, Shared Services and Security Development, MAMPU and Certified Digital Forensics for First Responders (CDFFR), Nur Shahirah Shaharani, SAS Certified Specialist Machine Learning Using SAS Viya 3.5, and Nik Nur Liyana, Head of Transformation and Innovation, POS Aviation and Data Science Student, Forward School.

DATIN TS DR SITI HANOM

Datin Dr Siti pursued a doctorate in Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2012 in the field of IT security and forensics. She then joined MAMPU in the ICT Infrastructure, Shared Services and Security Development division in 2017. Subsequently, she also earned her certification in CDFFR, which provides knowledge on best practices in IT security and forensics, among others. Datin Dr Siti added that today there are various tools to carry out digital forensics. On becoming professionals in the digital world, Datin Dr Siti added that challenges included applying the tools learnt in real-life cases. She added that training has helped her upskill as a public servant and enhance her competencies.

NUR SHAHIRAH SHAHARANI

Sharing her journey, Shahirah explained that she embarked on a data science programme in university which encompassed machine learning, predictive modelling, and analysis of computer language involving AI. She added that her knowledge in data science helps her undertake visualisation, reporting and dashboards in her job as a data analyst. On the other hand, machine learning helps her understand AI and carry out data predictive modelling. Shahirah added that learning onthe-job can be challenging as one has to overcome difficulties on their own without the guidance of lecturers and friends as in university days. She navigated the learning experience by embarking on her own learning journey using online resources. Shahirah advised that in such a situation, time management is extremely important considering the struggle between learning and job responsibilities.

NIK NUR LIYANA

Hailing from a non-IT background, Nik Nur Liyana shared that her foray into the IT field commenced in POS Aviation as she took on a leadership role in innovation. With POS Aviation navigating challenging times during this pandemic situation, Nik Nur Liyana decided that she had to equip herself with data science knowledge in order to advise top management effectively in terms of financial management, cost reduction as well as market potential, hence she embarked on studying Data Science. Nik Nur Liyana added that with determination to upskill, one can achieve new skills. On training that have helped in her career progress, Nik Nur Liyana stated that data modelling helps with decision making. It provides an idea on identifying trends, optimisation of costs and the focus for the future.