KUCHING, Sept 19: Pustaka Negeri Sarawak (Pustaka) has won the Unesco Confucius Prize for Literacy which recognises contributions to functional literacy by leveraging technological environments in support of adults in rural areas and out-of-school youth.
According to a press release, the winning programme ‘People Accessible Network for Digital Empowerment and Inclusivity (PANDei)’ is sponsored by the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
The award comprises a silver medal, a diploma, and a cheque for US$30,000. The ceremony was held on Sept 8, 2022 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
On the occasion of International Literacy Day (Sept 8), Unesco selected six outstanding literacy programmes from Brazil, India, Malaysia, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom as laureates of its International Literacy Prizes, based on the recommendations of international juries.
The awards were presented during an international conference in Abidjan, on Sept 8 and 9, under the theme “Transforming literacy learning spaces”. Pustaka’s chairman Tan Sri Hamid Bugo, acting chief executive officer Japri Bujang Masli and information services division head Edison Ricket were in attendance.
With local government support, PANDei aims to help build a comprehensive support network, empowering local communities with digital competencies and skills for building a digital-ready community.
From 2018 to 2022, 81,057 learners benefitted from the programme, which also helped train 54 facilitators and teachers. — DayakDaily
