Standard Chartered Bank and UTeM Launch “My Second Eye Program” for the Visually Impaired KUALA LUMPUR, Tuesday, 12 August 2014: Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad launched its new initiative, “My Second Eye”, today as part of its continuing commitment in championing corporate responsibility initiatives focusing on the blind and the visually impaired community under its Seeing is Believing program.
In collaboration with the University Teknikal Malaysia (UTeM), Standard Chartered is introducing an innovation called “My Second Eye”, a local award winning assistive technology – a first of its kind device in Malaysia exclusively for visually impaired people.
The My Second Eye device's built-in sensors are able to scan the surroundings and alert the user to obstructions above waist level. The device produces an alarm that informs the location of the obstruction and guides the user around it.
Over the last two years, research has indicated that use of white cane helps visually impaired people identify curbs, stairs, and other objects; however, its utility is limited to obstructions below waist level.
For the first phase of the program, Standard Chartered is donating the first generation of My Second Eye devices to ten blind recipients for a trial period, within which they will share their feedback on the device. Their feedback will be analysed and used to enhance the device.
YAB Tan Sri Dato Hj Muhydin Hj Mohd Yassin officiated the launch, presenting the My Second Eye device to visually impaired recipients.
According to Osman Morad, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, “As the first bank in Malaysia, here for close to 140 years, community engagement has always been close to our hearts. Seeing is Believing is our global program to eliminate avoidable blindness. In the spirit of this program, we hope the My Second Eye device will help contribute to an improved quality of life for the visually impaired in Malaysia.”
In full support of this initiative, YAB Tan Sri Dato Hj Muhydin Hj Mohd Yassin said: "
“It is good to see the strong partnership between Standard Chartered and UTeM to help the underprivileged. We hope that this example will encourage other corporate entities to join in such efforts. I strongly believe it is our responsibility not only to assist but to empower the visually impaired community and improve their opportunities in life.”
Standard Chartered is working closely with UTeM in the research and development of further innovations, facilitating cooperation with the Malaysian Association of the Blind (MAB).
YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Prof. Ir. Dr. Ahmad Zaidee bin Laidin, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia said:
“In line with our mission to foster development in technology innovation sectors, collaboration with corporate sectors such as Standard Chartered not just empowering the visually impaired community but also inspires young innovators to be creative and produce a world class innovation - especially one that can benefit the least privileged.”
Joining Standard Chartered's Launch of My Second Eye program are YB Datuk Dr. Abu Bakar bin Mohamad Diah, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Prof. Ir. Dr. Ahmad Zaidee bin Laidin, Chairman Board of Directors, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia, YB Dato' Ganesan Supayah, CEO Malaysian Association of the Blind, YBhg. Dato' Arif Siddiqui, CIO Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad and Prof. Dr. Shahrin bin Sahib@Sahibuddin Vice Chancellor of University Technical Malaysia (UTeM).
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