IMDA launches new programme teaching seniors how to go cashless
Photo credit: (Straits Times)
While Singapore seeks to move toward a Smart Nation, ageing population arises as an inevitable hurdle. Everyday technologies may seem intuitive to the younger generation but it may not be the case for the elderly who often rely on younger generations to access them. Going cashless implies further digitalising of our environment and can possibly cause further confusion for the elderly. It is crucial to keep in mind that a cashless society involves not only the tech-savvy youngsters, but all members of the society including seniors. Thus, Info-comm Development Authority (IMDA) has organised the first session of e-Payment Learning Journey programme on 30th May 2018 to take a step forward in tackling such foreseeable problems, ensuring financial inclusion of the elderly.
The e-Payment Learning Journey programme is a 3-hour long experiential tour for seniors over 50 years old to understand and learn how to utilise new mobile payment methods such as QR Code Payment and transferring money through apps. The programme aims to ease seniors into Singapore’s progression toward a cashless society by giving them more confidence in handling new mobile payment technologies.
With an estimate of 50 sessions spread throughout the year at 6 different locations, IMDA plans to reach out to over 2000 seniors. In addition, volunteers from many community groups will be present to guide the elderly during these sessions. On 30th May, seniors were guided by volunteers from the Youth Corps Singapore, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and HP Inc. Participants were shown how to search and download e-payment apps which consists of DBS PayLah and UOB Mighty etc. Besides that, seniors were taught how to scan a QR code to make payment and other various digital skills.
Also, the programme is a part of IMDA’s Silver Infocomm Initiative which has several other programmes in place to help equip the elderly with digital skills essential while living in a Smart Nation. Also, IMDA’s senior director of the digital readiness cluster, Ms Koh Li-Na, stated that technology can enable seniors to better connect with their family members, access e-services and benefit from convenience of e-transactions and e-payments. This calls for further emphasis on the importance of easing the elderly into this digitalised society.
FOMO Pay provides one-stop QRCode Payment Solution which enables merchants to accept a full suite of new payment methods including WeChat Pay, NETSPay, mVISA, Grab Pay, Baidu Wallet, Best Pay, etc. Launched in 2016 with more than 1000 merchants acquired within a year, FOMO Pay is trusted by major companies including SPH, Marina Bay Sands, StarHub, JUMBO, Club 21, CHANEL, etc. With FOMO Pay, merchants can unlock true business potential by giving customers the payment options they prefer and adopt cashless payment easily. FOMO Pay is also sitting in MAS SGQR Taskforce to promote QR code payment and make Singapore a cashless society.