By Siti Munirah Mohd Faizal Lim
Age should not hinder the way of learning or pursuing new business opportunities. That was the spirit behind the GeronTech Workshop: Dari Pembeli ke Peniaga Bijak, held on Feb 9, 2026, at Pusat Aktiviti Warga Emas (PAWE) Lembah Pantai.
The one-day workshop, held from 10 am to 4 pm, brought together 60 senior citizens eager to explore how digital tools could help them become smarter consumers and more confident sellers. The programme was funded by the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya, and led by Dr Siti Munirah Mohd Faizal Lim, together with researchers from Universiti Malaya and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).
The session also featured an invited speaker in digital marketing and was supported by PAWE Lembah Pantai chairperson Hajah Rosita Hj Rahim. The workshop is part of a research project titled “Empowering Ageing in the Digital Economy: Community-Based ‘GeronTech’ Exposure.” GeronTech, short for gerontechnology, refers to the use of technology to support ageing and improve the lives of older persons. In this project, the focus is on strengthening economic participation and financial empowerment among older adults.
Learning beyond the physical marketplace
Before the workshop began, participants shared that many of them already had products to sell but were unsure how to market them online. Previously, most sales were done physically at the PAWE centre or among friends. They wanted to learn how to promote their products at little or no cost using just their mobile phones.
Some attended as buyers, hoping to better understand how to avoid online scams, while others came as aspiring sellers. Interestingly, several husband-and-wife pairs signed up together to gain insights and fully benefit from the workshop. A few participants shared that they had never considered selling online before, but soon realised it could become a meaningful retirement activity that keeps them active while generating additional income.
Turning retirement into opportunity
The participants already had many products and services to offer. These ranged from traditional Malay delicacies such as kuih tart and kerepek pisang to Indian snacks like muruku and homemade sambal, which are festive favourites that are in high demand, especially with Chinese New Year and Ramadan just around the corner next week. Others sold hand-made crochet items, arts and crafts, self-made handwash, and fresh vegetables such as spinach and lemon grass grown at the PAWE community farm. Some offered massage services, while one participant operates a homestay. With the festive season approaching, the workshop came at a timely moment, equipping participants with the digital skills and confidence needed to promote their products more widely and potentially increase their seasonal income.
The workshop was divided into four sessions. Participants were first introduced to basic digital tools and social media platforms. They then learned how to become smart buyers by recognising scam tactics, such as fake profiles without pictures and messages that create a false sense of urgency. The next session focused on becoming smart sellers, covering simple digital marketing strategies. The final session was hands-on, allowing participants to practise promoting products through WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business and Facebook. For many, the session was an eye-opener.
One participant shared that she learned how to use ChatGPT to help generate ideas for product descriptions and selling prompts. She also tried promoting through WhatsApp Status and was surprised by the response. “I tried posting on my status, and within 30 minutes, I had 100 viewers. If I had a product, it would be very good for sales,” she said excitedly.
Another participant admitted she had never heard of ChatGPT before the workshop, but now finds it useful and interesting. Many expressed appreciation for the practical guidance, saying that before this, their promotions were limited. Now, they feel more confident and equipped with new ideas.
“Even learning just one new thing a day is something to be grateful for, Alhamdulillah,” said one participant. Another added, “Although we are senior citizens, we are still productive. We need to be digitally literate and make full use of our phones.”
Participants also called for follow-up sessions, suggesting a “GeronTech 2.0” focusing more deeply on digital marketing and financial sustainability. Some joked that older adults tend to forget easily and need continuous practice.
Unlocking economic potential in later life
As Malaysia moves towards becoming an aged nation by 2030, digital inclusion among older adults is increasingly important. While national initiatives such as MyDIGITAL aim to accelerate digital transformation, many seniors remain on the margins of the digital economy due to limited exposure and confidence. The GeronTech workshop demonstrates that with the right support, older adults are not only willing to learn, but they are eager. More importantly, they can become active contributors to the digital economy rather than passive recipients of assistance.
After all, ageing is not a failure, but a privilege that allows many more success stories to be created.
Dr. Siti Munirah Mohd Faizal Lim is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Social Administration and Justice, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya.
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