Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the Launch of Majestic Smart Seniors Applied Learning Centre

Mr Koh Juay Meng, Chairman of RSVP Singapore

Distinguished guests

Good afternoon. I am glad to join you today at the launch of the Majestic Smart Seniors Applied Learning Centre (MSSALC). 

I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to RSVP Singapore on achieving this significant milestone. Your strong support to bridging the digital gap and advocating a digitally inclusive society amongst seniors inSingapore will enable all to better navigate a post COVID-19 landscape.

In the past two years, the pandemic has changed the way we live, work and play. While it has accelerated Singapore’s digitalisation efforts, it has also widened the digital divide. Individuals who are unfamiliar with these technological tools or have limited access to them will find the digitalisation journey challenging. This is why I have launched the Digital for Life (DfL) movement in February last year in conjunction with the President’s Challenge 2021 theme of “Building a Digitally Inclusive Society”. Through the movement, we work with like-minded partners across the private and people sectors such as RSVP Singapore, to help Singaporeans embrace digital as a lifelong pursuit. As we leverage the opportunities arising from digital technology, it is important that all segments of society stand to benefit.

So far, $4.8 million of the DfL fund have been earmarked to support 21 new ground-up community projects to bring the benefits of digital technology to more than 100,000 beneficiaries. These projects include educating the youths, seniors and persons with disabilities on the importance of digital wellness, cybersecurity and digital literacy skills. The MSSALC is one such project supported under the DfL fund, to enable seniors to learn the latest in lifestyle changes and digital technology, build their confidence and integrate new technology skills into their daily lifestyles. They also get to embrace experimentation through applied learning in a welcoming and nostalgic space. I am confident that the centre will inspire and serve as a catalyst for initiatives to improve digital literacy through applied learning, which is key to Singapore strengthening its digital resilience and helping citizens embrace digital as a lifelong pursuit. 

Since its inception in 1998, RSVP Singapore has been actively engaging seniors in purpose-driven volunteerism and has more than 2,500 volunteers today. In line with its vision to make every senior a volunteer, RSVP Singapore also supports the SG Cares movement to grow senior volunteerism and empower more seniors to embark on a meaningful volunteering journey. One such volunteer is Mdm Yeo Tah Keow. Mdm Yeo, who is in her late 60s, recently completed a Train-The-Trainer session on DBS QR Gift Card. Mdm Yeo attended the session as she wanted to learn how to use the new digital payment features. She also felt that it was important for seniors like herself to keep up with technology and use it in their daily lives. I am pleased to know that Mdm Yeo has much more confidence today in carrying out QR payments and other new iBanking features. She will be training other seniors and instilling the same confidence in them to do the same.

Although the pandemic has disrupted our lives, it has also shown us that as long as we are united, we are stronger together. I am glad that organisations such as Singapore Pools and CapitaLand Hope Foundation have stepped forward to partner with RSVP Singapore in this effort. In such a rapidly changing digital landscape, coming together and forming partnerships of such nature are imperative to build and strengthenSingapore’s digital resilience.

I encourage and urge other companies to build on this momentum by joining the DfL movement and partnering social service agencies such as RSVP Singapore, to help the more vulnerable be included inSingapore’s digital future.

In closing, let me once again congratulate RSVP Singapore on the launch of your new Smart Seniors Applied Learning Centre at theMajestic, and thank all partners and volunteers for your contributions. With everyone’s support, I am confident in our direction to becoming a society that supports our seniors in their everyday living. Together, we can build a Singapore that cares.

Thank you.