Understanding the working world and learning about it in a fun and playful way gives children a sense on what a job is like. KidZania is one place these children can role-play as a pilot or engineer and experience what real life is like.
KidZania Malaysia has just added another new but popular experience, mobile telecommunications. U Mobile has now come on board to announce the opening of its replica ‘store’ at the educational attraction KidZania Kuala Lumpur. The telco is the only mobile operator to partner with the popular indoor mini city to provide an establishment that teaches responsible and healthy phone use while also exposing children to skills in business strategy, innovation and entrepreneurial drive.
The company’s service centre will have features such as customer and mobile phone counters that have been specially sized to suit children engagement.
To simulate the real world, the children who enter the store will also be able to learn how they can go about purchasing a USIM card or how USIM cards are sold. Through these activities, U Mobile hopes they will gain an understanding of what a mobile operator does whilst preparing them for mobile phone ownership.
To further prepare the children, U Mobile has also created a responsible mobile user guide for the family to be shared with all KidZania KL visitors. The guide, the first of its kind in Malaysia, offers a series of simple do’s and don’ts for children as well as parents. Another unusual feature in the guide is the family contract where both children and parents can pledge their commitment to use their mobile phones responsibly.
Jasmine Lee, U Mobile’s Chief Marketing Officer, shared the rationale for such a guide, “We are extremely excited to be able to be the only telco to partner with KidZania KL. Through this partnership, U Mobile has the opportunity to enlighten the children on the workings of a telco, especially on our award winning customer service. Each and every one of the children who visits our store will either become a customer or a valued employee in the future”.
She adds, it is equally important for U Mobile to promote healthy mobile phone usage habits. “At U Mobile, we believe in always adding additional value to all our customers. We know many of those who come to our store at KidZania KL will either be first time mobile phone users or will become first time mobile phone users soon. Hence, it is very appropriate that we share with them some simple do’s and don’ts. To help in the learning process, the guide is illustrated with simple pictorial images so that the tips may be easily understood”.
When asked why are tips for parents were included in the guide, Jasmine explains that parents often forget that they are their children’s’ biggest role model and it is essential that they set a good example.
The Mayor of KidZania Kuala Lumpur, Shahrul Nizar Ahmad, was also present at the opening and he is delighted that U Mobile has become an industry partner to join the educational attraction. “KidZania needs real names to authenticate the learning value for children, hence the importance of telco industry partner to simulate the real world. Through role play in U Mobile, children get to be exposed to the basics of business strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship. As we all know, mobile phones are an essential in the adult world, hence it is important for us to have a mobile operator within the city so that the children will be prepared for the real experience when the time comes.”
Shahrul also commended U Mobile for its guide, “We are extremely happy that U Mobile took a step further in the education experience by coming up with a Family Guide for responsible mobile phone use. It will definitely be of benefit for both adults and children.”
The Family Responsible Mobile phone user guide is available at the KidZania KL U Mobile store or it can be downloaded from U Mobile’s website – u.com.my.
