The APPRECIATE project is a compilation of several sub-projects since 2014 till 2019 that focuses on APPRECIATing people-in-need, i.e. rural and urban poor community, single mothers, indigenous community, elderly and students with special needs (Autism), and school students, providing them access to information and knowledge. The project objectives are to provide services (training), and ICT infrastructure in which the establishment of telecentre has been setup for the identified community. Subsequent efforts were in-place to ensure sustainability of this program so that the ICT equipment are optimized in terms of usage via frequent visits and observing log history files of personal computers. Apart from that this project also imparting knowledge and skills focusing "Content", "Space" and "Support" for targeted community. Additionally, the project aims to improve quality of education via stimulating interest for science and mathematics education using ICT tools among secondary school students. This program also showed an increase in digital literacy among the community. From all the above programs, we produced a framework called INFO-CeSS which consist of 4 elements which are "People", "Process", "Technology" and "Impact". In the "Process" element, there is a sub-elements which are "Content", "Space" and "Support" that were involved in each implementation of the APPRECIATE program. APPRECIATE has achieved positive results and impacts such as accessibility to ICT infrastructure which provided via the establishment of telecentres and computer labs. Micro-entrepreneurs and single mothers were able to use online business platforms like mudah.my and mobile application, myIbu, a transition from traditional to online business model, uplifting the socio-economic status of these groups. Various targets groups have greatly utilised skills acquired in ICT and open source software. Collaborations with multiple stakeholders from government agencies and NGOs have supported (cash and in-kind) the running of projects/programs.

https://fskm.uitm.edu.my/appreciate/index.html

• Selangor, Malaysia

• Older persons
• Women
• Indigenous and nomadic peoples
• People with disabilities
• The poor
• Remote and rural communities
• The unemployed and the youth

The project can be replicated in Malaysia. It is important to have a good collaboration with NGOs, authorities and ministries by providing accessibility to the appropriate community and funding to run the activities. The project also capable to increase the socio-economy and quality of education of the community. We are willing to cooperate with any agencies and sharing our experiences and expertise to conduct the similar project with underserved communities who are yet to be approached (e.g. Youth, Unemployed). The framework consists of 4 main elements which are People, Process, Technology and Impact. Under the "People" elements we were addressing to the underserved community which are the 6 items of mentioned target beneficiary group (indigenous and nomadic people, older persons, people with disabilities, remote and rural communities, the poor and the women). Second element is "Process" in which there are 3 sub-elements called "C-Content, S-Space and S-Support. These 3 elements need to be existed in the process of implementing the "APPRECIATE" programs. Third element which is "Technology" is the tool and platform being used in handling the "APPRECIATE" programs and also the ICT-based contribution towards the community such as setting up the telecentre and computing laboratory. Last element is the "Impact" which is the added value from all the "APPRECIATE" programs that makes the community improve and success. By having all elements, this framework can be replicated and emulated to other country who involved those mentioned underserved community in implementing their community-based program. Apart from that, there is a need to have C-Content, S-Space and S-Support for the adaptability if the framework to be replicated.

This project is sustainable because every semester there are more than 100 final year students who must enrol and pass the subject of ITS610 (Social Ethical And Professional Issues) in UiTM in order to graduate. This subject requires every student to contribute to the community using the information and knowledge that they have learned from the class. The approach starts by identifying the community, conduct a preliminary study on community needs; and provide a solution accordingly. The implementation of this approach uses the APPRECIATE model in order to prepare a centre that can be used by the public as a training centre or as a place to access information.

This project provides a community-access point which serve poor people, elderly, micro-businesses and indigenous for better economic status. Through APPRECIATE program, targeted community will be facilitated with necessary needs for better business opportunities. With this business opportunity they become a job creator for their community members.