Student, 13, develops digital textbook

Ahmad Zulfadzli Khamidi developed the application within a mere two weeks, with training and guidance from the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creative Centre (MaGIC) @Borneo744 in Bintawa here.

Ahmad Zulfadzli said he developed the application based on his own experience of getting quickly bored and sleeping when revising his subjects with textbooks.

He said the four areas which the application could resolve was that teachers would no longer need to mark every exam paper, students need no longer bring books to schools, there would be no question of missing schools or insufficient stationery.

"However, I faced some constraints in realising my dream. I had an idea but no knowledge or skills in designing and writing the code for the software for the application," the second of four siblings told Bernama.

Ahmad Zulfadzli and his mother Norhasyimah Ahmad Merrican, 38, then went to Borneo744 (a Blue Ocean Entrepreneurs Township) in Bintawa where they were given advice and free assistance to learn the basics and principles of coding.

"The Digital Textbook is easy and suitable for students of all ages, whether in the primary, secondary or university level. For a start, it has English, Bahasa Melayu, Mathematics and Science subjects, but more can be added on later," he said.

He added that the textbooks on the application could be accessed either online or offline. It can be downloaded through Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Ahmad Zulfadzli is now in the process of completing his second application for small entrepreneurs in Sarawak to market their products.