GEORGE TOWN, September 20 – Flex (NASDAQ: FLEX), a global diversified manufacturer, and St. Nicholas’ Home (SNH), a non-profit charitable organization, have officially unveiled an upgraded IT lab aimed at training, developing, and empowering members of Malaysia’s blind and visually impaired (BVI) community. A generous RM300,000 grant from the Flex Foundation has enabled SNH to completely refurbish its IT lab, furnishing it with computers that will annually benefit more than 50 blind or visually impaired students.
This transformation has encompassed everything from new flooring and ceilings to air conditioning, tables, chairs, and specially designed software-equipped computers for BVI individuals. Flex has also sponsored printers, wireless internet access points, and servers for the lab. Founded in 1926 as a non-profit charitable organization in Penang, SNH is committed to addressing the evolving needs of Malaysia’s BVI community. The SNH IT lab plays a pivotal role in empowering BVI individuals, enabling them to attain greater independence and enhance their capabilities through technology skills.
This facility serves both students who are BVI and working towards their educational certifications and individuals seeking valuable IT-related skills to bolster their employment prospects. One student who has directly benefited from the SNH IT Lab is Nur Aida Aqilah Binti Kasim. A native of Penang, Nur Aida aspired to become a teacher and holds a Diploma in Usuluddin from Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah, Kuala Kangsar. Currently, she is undergoing a 6-month IT course at SNH. “With my IT skills, I am now able to work towards acquiring a university degree.
Even though I am blind, I am positive about the opportunities out there. I want to make my parents proud despite becoming blind due to glaucoma,” said Nur Aida. Dato’ SN Lee, Flex’s Vice President of Information Technology, remarked, One of the pillars of our 2030 sustainability strategy at Flex is community, which focuses on improving the quality of life and wellbeing of the communities that we serve. This collaboration with SNH strongly aligns with our sustainability commitments and marks a major step forward towards advancing meaningful and positive change where we operate.
The upgraded IT lab will play a critical role in promoting disability inclusion by bridging the digital divide among people with disabilities (PwDs). Flex is deeply committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and respect within the workforce and the communities it serves. Since 2018, Flex has been actively employing PwDs. In recognition of its efforts, Flex has been honored by PERKESO (Malaysia’s Social Security Organization) as a “PwD Caring Employer” and “Largest Employer of PwDs 2022.” Having employed more than 700 PwD employees to date, Flex has also received the distinction of being a “PwD Friendly Employer” by Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources.
Flex’s dedication to social good is reinforced by grants from the Flex Foundation. Between 2016 and 2022, the Flex Foundation has provided grants to support over 220 projects in 22 countries, benefiting over eight billion beneficiaries. The projects Flex Foundation supports encompass disaster relief, community upskilling involving people with disabilities and women, and the deployment of renewable energy sources, among other initiatives. The upgraded IT lab at St. Nicholas’ Home represents another significant step forward in Flex’s commitment to creating positive change and fostering inclusivity in the communities it serves.
