MoU between RSVP Singapore and the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office aims to recruit digital coaches and advocates.

RSVP Singapore The Organisation of Senior Volunteers and the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to engage seniors in the co-creation of Smart Nation initiatives and digital Government services. The two-year partnership will help seniors harness and enhance their digital capabilities and expertise, and encourage more seniors to join the ranks of Smart Nation Ambassadors (SNAs). The aim is to recruit 500 SNAs annually through RSVP to cultivate them to become digital coaches and advocates to help others on their digital journey.

Together, RSVP Singapore and SNDGO will also co-develop an online learning portal for SNAs to pick up soft skills, and information on Smart Nation initiatives. As this online learning portal is open to the public, one can find courses such as familiarisation with digital Government services, how to work effectively with youths, and even how to operate drones for leisure play.

Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Health and Communications & Information, witnessed the signing of the MoU at the sixth annual National Senior Volunteer Month (NSVM) Opening Ceremony, which went virtual. He was also the guest-of-honour at the event. He said, “Through this partnership with RSVP Singapore, we hope more seniors will embrace technology and digital Government services. Seniors can lead the digital transformation wave, and be active advocates in our Smart Nation journey.”

Added Koh Juay Meng, chairman of RSVP Singapore: “We believe that the signing of this MoU is a step closer in working towards our belief that no seniors get left behind on our way towards becoming a Smart Nation.”

 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SMART NATION AMBASSADORS & IMDA’S DIGITAL AMBASSADORS?

According to SNDGO, “Smart Nation Ambassadors are volunteers who engage citizens on Smart Nation and digital Government initiatives. With diverse skillsets, they contribute their own time and effort to the cause, based on their interest areas. Some are passionate in guiding or sharing with others the benefits and use of digital Government tools (e.g. TraceTogether, SingPass), others may be more tech-inclined (e.g. refurbishing old tech devices to give to underprivileged children), or may suggest improvements to our digital solutions. Smart Nation Ambassadors help to lead the way for these ground-up efforts, network them where possible, to drive greater engagement for Smart Nation initiatives.

Digital Ambassadors are employed under IMDA’s SG Digital Office. Currently, Digital Ambassadors help seniors with upgrading their digital tools and skills, and get hawkers to Go Digital (e.g. adopting e-payment solutions). There is space for a differentiated approach to engage all Singaporeans on digital, and SNDGO’s Smart Nation Ambassadors and IMDA’s Digital Ambassadors help to cover the breadth of needs and opportunities. Together, we galvanise all Singaporeans to be digitally-ready and excited to come along this Smart Nation journey.”