No, no, it’s not an actual city with blinking lights and traffic jams. Youthciti is an online social network with a different intention. Launched recently in mid-July, it is one of the latest networking sites to join the many out there in the market today. Instead of just being the social connector between youths and new acquaintances, Youthciti is designed as an online link between undergraduates and the working world, where they are able to ask industry leaders to match their skills with relevant industry needs.
Youtciti’s platform is to learn, share, and connect. Apart from the usual profile pages and messaging facilities available on most social networks, there’s also a form link where members are encouraged to share and discuss topics related to any topic they deem worthy.
Users can browse or search groups by category or keyword on this network, which helps them find and join their own interest groups, and even create their own groups. Apart from that, users will be able to post information on upcoming events of interest to them.
Videos can also be shared through the “My Video” link. Members can upload videos and even tag their favourites.
For those who are business savvy, they can put up advertisements to buy (or sell) items via the “MyBiz” section.
Youthciti is owned and developed by MyPath (a career development hub) and powered by JARING Communications (one of Malaysia’s leading communication networks). The network is supported by more than five tertiary institutions, with Universiti Utara Malaysia taking lead.
According to Dr. Mohamed bin Awang Lah, CEO of Jaring Communications, JARING will be providing the data centre and server facilities since they are the technology partner of Youthciti. They will strive to ensure unhindered growth of the portal so it can become one of the most important networking sites in the near future.
How far can Youthciti go? Only time will tell. In an era where social networks pop up like mushrooms, it’s easy to start up a site, but to maintain popularity takes a lot of hard work.