MDeC follows up with Icon2 for developers
Thursday July 7, 2011 (THE STAR ONLINE)
KUALA LUMPUR: The custodian of the the MSC Malaysia initiative has launched a second integrated content development programme, to follow in the footsteps of the first which was completed last year. Multimedia Development Corp (MDeC) said Icon2 - Integrated Content Development Programme 2 - is also aimed at equipping local developers with the skills and means to create world-class products. Icon2 is an extension of Icon, a programme which was started in 2009 with the purpose of developing talent and content necessary to build up an innovative digital economy. The 1Malaysia Hotlines app, developed with help from Icon, has been downloaded more than 50,000 times since its debut in 2010. It lists the hotlines of various local businesses and organisations; from fast food to emergency services. MDeC said Icon2 will focus more on the creative and technical aspects of digital content development. It has set its sights on digital content that will boost areas such as "social technopreneurship" - i.e. the use of social networks to make improvements in people's lives - location-based services and medical services. Icon2 has been allocated RM5mil in funding. This will be spread across three categories:
• ICONdap, a funding service for online- and mobile-content developers;
• ICONapps, a platform to help budding Android and iOS application developers break into in the industry; and,
• ICONex, a cost-effective high-bandwidth hosting capability for Malaysian individuals and businesses which do not have the means to fund or manage their high-bandwidth content online. Icon2 candidates will also have mentors and trainers to guide them towards realising their ideas and goals. Recognition MDeC chief executive Datuk Badlisham Ghazali said each selected developer under the ICONapps category will need to pay RM500 in commitment fees, and will be given advanced training courses to create its app. Once the app is posted online, the RM500 will be refunded to the developer, along with an RM10,000 reimbursement for development costs that were spent. "This is so that developers will see their idea through from beginning to end. In the past, many ideas were left unrealised for many reasons. When this happened, those who would have benefited from these ideas were left empty handed," he said. Under ICONdap, developers would receive up to RM20,000 through a milestone reimbursement model. "The Icon platform is playing a key role in transforming Malaysia from a mainly content-consuming nation into one that generates content," Badlisham said. According to him, 80% of the content consumed in Malaysia comes from abroad and ranges from videogames to navigation maps. "However, the apps developed by locals are not one of the high-revenue earners. We need to recognise these talents and give them the opportunity to improve," Badlisham said. MDeC has started calling for proposals. Shortlisted candidates will have to pitch their applications to a panel of judges who will then select the most suitable apps. Successful candidates will be notified by September. For more information on Icon2, go to www.mscmalaysia.my/icon. The MSC Malaysia initiative is aimed at moving the nation towards a knowledge-based economy.
• ICONdap, a funding service for online- and mobile-content developers;
• ICONapps, a platform to help budding Android and iOS application developers break into in the industry; and,
• ICONex, a cost-effective high-bandwidth hosting capability for Malaysian individuals and businesses which do not have the means to fund or manage their high-bandwidth content online.
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