Students with the VIPs during the opening of PSC@ Bagan in Butterworth. — Photos: Buletin Mutiara
THE first Penang Science Cluster (PSC) centre on Penang mainland, called PSC@Bagan, is now open to the public.
The centre, located at Dewan Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi in Butterworth, is PSC’s third centre in Penang, with the other two on the island.
PSC chief executive officer Datuk Ooi Peng Ee said that PSC@Bagan’s purpose was to generate interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning among students on the mainland.
“It will allow primary and secondary school students access to quality science and technology programmes without having to travel to our main centre at Wisma Yeap Chor Ee on the island,” he said, according to Buletin Mutiara, adding that advanced equipment and specialised knowledge was available for highly skilled technical students.
Ooi said that PSC@Bagan would be PSC’s centre of operations for Penang mainland and the northern region.
“This will be where many of our ‘on-Wheels’ programmes will journey from, for schools in Seberang Prai,” he said, adding that programmes included Code on Wheels, Robotics on Wheels, Tech on Wheels and Lab on Wheels.
“After all, PSC’s mission is to prepare our students for the future and create a pipeline of engineering and technical talent for Penang,” he said.
Chow (right) watching children play with toys that are part of the STEM activities.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who launched the opening of the new facility, said PSC@Bagan represents a pivotal moment for STEM education in Penang.
“This resource-rich environment will enable our young talents to explore, innovate, and experiment,” he said, adding that PSC@Bagan was just one piece of the puzzle.
Chow said that the state government had made substantial investments in fixed infrastructure projects to promote STEM learning in the state’s schools.
“Initiatives such as establishing 123 MakerLabs in schools and implementing 5G digital libraries with high-speed Internet access in 88 schools, demonstrate our commitment to nurturing our students’ potential,” he said.
Chow added that the state government also supported mobile infrastructure programmes led by the PSC, including Labs on Wheels and Coding For All.
Children taking part in the activities during the launch of the new centre.
“These programmes deliver hands-on technology workshops directly to our students in schools to enrich their learning experiences.
“All of these investments aim to empower our students to realise their full potential, becoming the technical talent that Penang needs to drive its economy forward,” he said.
He also said that the industry’s invaluable support must be acknowledged.
“Many companies in the state have collaborated with PSC on various programmes, inspiring the next generation in science, technology, and innovation, ultimately encouraging them to pursue careers in these fields,” he said.
“May PSC@Bagan be a symbol of our commitment to the advancement of STEM education both in Penang and Malaysia,” he said in conclusion.
Also present were state youth, sports and health committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, Bagan Dalam assemblyman Kumaran Krishnan, Bagan Jermal assemblyman Chee Yeeh Keen and Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze.
