Held in support of President’s Challenge at JTC LaunchPad @ one-north, We Tech Care 2016 saw the gathering of over 200 people from local start-ups, non-profits, Microsoft and partners to showcase the power of technology in creating a smarter and more inclusive Singapore. This year’s President’s Challenge aims to boost senior volunteerism with aims to promote community interaction and integration to build a better support ecosystem in the community by empowering people with technology to achieve more.
We Tech Care 2016 marks the start of Microsoft’s fund-raising activities in support of the 16th President’s Challenge. Microsoft had been in support of President’s Challenge since 2002, and raised S$268,963 this year. President Tony Tan was there to grace and kick off the 16th President’s Challenge for this year and receive the donation cheque.
The event saw close to 600 beneficiaries and members of the public participating in the event Assistive Technology Showcase, lessons, tours and fringe activities comprising of games and fun family entertainment. The event has a carnival area, hosting food, game stalls as well as Xbox Games Competitions for all ages to compete for prizes.
NGO & Assistive Technology Showcase
A number of NGOs and start-ups were present to in the assistive technology showcase. The Guide Dogs Association of the Blind Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD) demonstrated the use of the Microsoft Cities Unlocked navigation mobile app: utilising a smart phone and stereo location to pinpoint areas of interest for visually impaired persons. RSVP Singapore (Organisation of Senior volunteers) was also there to promote their senior IT courses to assist, equip and empower seniors with digital technology skills to improve their daily quality of life.
IT Made Easy Lessons Sessions
There were a number of on-going talks at the event, a total of 26 sessions and activities for members of the public, such as Play It Safe Talks- how you can safeguard, protect and take charge of your online digital life. You will also be introduced to Microsoft products as well as the YouthSpark Scholarship program. A really nice initiative is the WeSpeakCode Workshop, an IT Made Easy Session to introduce people of all ages to the fundamentals of computing and coding, equipping them with tools, tips, tricks and knowledge to develop and enable ideas with technology.
Startup Discovery Tours
The start-up tours allows the general public to meet and test out the showcases created by local start-ups/entrepreneurs. Besides supporting to 57 beneficiaries in various sectors, this year fund-raising for the President’s Challenge goes beyond funds to rally the local start-up community and NGOs to collectively showcase the power of technology to create a smarter, more inclusive Singapore in address to more complex social challenges, such as bridging digital gaps of marginalised groups. There was a showcase of enabling apps, such as Jaga-Me, a nursing app as well as a hairdressing app for hairstylists.
There was also a tour and introduction to Bash workplaces in Blk 79, a vibrant and exciting co-working space for local start-ups too.
We Tech Care 2016 is a right first step into fund-raising for the annual President’s Challenge. This year, the Silver Volunteer Fund (SVF) will channel S$2 for every S$10 donated, with the government matching dollar-for-dollar donations to the SVF (up to S$20 million). So do your part for good and contribute to the President’s Challenge this year.
