KOTA MARUDU, Aug 21 — The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry has set a target for Malaysia to be in the top 20 countries in the world in terms of economy, people’s well-being and creativity and innovation by 2050.
In this regard, its Deputy Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said in order to achieve this goal, it is fostering interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from an early stage.
“We need significant changes including the readiness and development of human capital, expenditure, culture in addition to being magnanimous. Science is often referred to as a difficult and this is a challenge that needs to be addressed by all parties,” he said after inaugurating the Series One of the Borneo Science Adventure here today.
He added that based on data from the Education Ministry in 2022, the percentage of upper secondary students participating in the STEM stream from 2017 to 2022 recorded a decrease of 45.2 per cent to 40.94 per cent.
“The Ministry is committed to making science an interesting topic for every individual regardless of age. In order to support its commitment in popularising science and humanising technology as well as promoting innovation, the National Science Week (MSN) is now being held from April until November 2023.
“Programmes such as the Borneo Science Journey support the implementation of MSN as a field programme to bring people closer together in exploring various science-related topics. Indeed, science is interesting and easy to understand.”
Arthur said the Ministry emphasised that STEM-related subjects provide great job opportunities in the future, therefore he called on parents and teachers to play a proactive role in helping the government’s efforts to encourage students to choose STEM-related streams.
“The Ministry welcomes the cooperation of strategic partners in an effort to attract students’ interest in the field of Science, Technology and Innovation while providing early exposure to them to prepare for career planning,” he added.
Commenting on the programme, he said it was organised by the Academy of Science Malaysia (ASM), an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation with the support of the Sabah Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Sabah State Education Department, District Office and other strategic partners.
He said after the Kota Marudu Community Hall today, Series One of the programme will continue tomorrow at the Pitas District Council Community Hall; and 23 August 2023 at the Hakka Kudat Hall where the event runs from 8am to 5pm, and admission is free.
“Various programmes are organised including STEM activities such as Chemist Mini Lab, DNA Isolation, Drone Demonstration, and U-Science Exhibition; while the Community and Citizen Science Programmes involve Digital Entrepreneurship Talks and Entrepreneurship Sharing activities, he said.
Arthur said the Ministry through the National Science Centre will continue the Second Series Borneo Science Adventure starting on September 15 to October 1 in three locations namely Kimanis, Kalabakan and Pensiangan; besides targeting a total of 20,000 visitors will participate in these two series of Borneo Science Adventures.
– Bernama
