STEM committee to be finalised this year, says Chang

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning in the country will be re-evaluated and revamped with the establishment of the STEM Committee. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang announced that the committee will finalise its formation this year and determine the level of STEM involvement for secondary school students, as well as develop strategies to empower STEM fields in Malaysia in the short, medium, and long terms. He stated that collaborative efforts with various ministries have been carried out to address the cross-ministerial nature of the issue, with the involvement of the Education Ministry, Higher Education Ministry, and Human Resources Ministry. Chang made these remarks during the opening of the Sarawak level 2023 National Science Week Carnival and the Malaysia Techlympics 2023 Sarawak zone on September 21.

Concerns about the declining interest of school leavers in STEM prompted the implementation of the initiative. This trend is worrisome as Malaysia aims to become a developed nation by 2030. In response, Chang highlighted the importance of fostering interest in STEM and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) among the younger generation. The participation of Sarawak in Malaysia Techlympics 2023 aims to unearth talents and encourage interest in these fields, which has already seen an increase in participation compared to the previous year. Chang expressed his satisfaction with the rise in interest and affirmed the commitment of both the Sarawak government and the central government to promote and support STEM education.

In his speech, Chang revealed that the programme had attracted a total of 63,589 participants, including primary and secondary school students, a significant increase from the 20,319 participants in 2022. The Sarawak level Malaysia Techlympics 2023 was held at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), a part of the fourth zone after the Northern Zone, Sabah Zone, and Central Zone, with subsequent events planned for the Southern and Eastern Zones. The National Science Week Carnival is being held in Sarawak as the seventh installment, following events in Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Johor, Penang, Sabah, and Selangor. The carnival will take place in stages until next month.

– Bernama