Here we go: (From left) Wallace, CSA Catapult Skills Academy manager Alexandra Leadley and Zainal posing for a photo in front of the STEM mobile lab.
The UK-Malaysia STEM Education Showcase, which kicked off on Jan 6, features an interactive STEM mobile lab visiting eight primary schools in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor over two weeks.
Aiming to promote interest in STEM subjects among schoolchildren, inspire the next generation of scientists and grow Malaysia’s skilled talent pool, this initiative provides students at participating schools with hands-on experience in exploring STEM-related fields like semiconductors, robotics and artificial intelligence.
Besides the mobile lab in KL and Selangor, there is a pop-up STEM showcase at Tech Dome in Penang until Jan 17, where students from 10 schools in the state are expected to participate. The pop-up STEM showcase was open to the public on Jan 10 and 11.
The programme also includes a Train-the-Trainer initiative for 122 Malaysian Youth STEM Ambassadors from local universities, and a high-level STEM policy roundtable, which seeks to support the development of STEM education in Malaysia.
Bringing together key stakeholders from both the UK and Malaysia, the showcase is organised by the British High Commission in partnership with Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult, the National STEM Learning Centre in the UK and the Universiti Malaya STEM Centre. It is also supported by the Education Ministry.
At the launch in KL, acting British High Commissioner to Malaysia David Wallace highlighted the strong education partnership between the UK and Malaysia, built on a shared ambition to nurture talent in STEM fields.
“Scientists, engineers and technologists are at the forefront of our countries’ innovation and growth.
“The UK-Malaysia STEM Education Showcase is a fantastic example of the UK sharing expertise in STEM education and supporting Malaysia’s ambition to meet future industry demands while deepening our bilateral ties,” he said in a press release.
Welcoming the British High Commission’s initiative to inspire and empower Malaysia’s youth, Education deputy director-general (School Operations) Zainal Abas noted that the programme is in line with the aspiration of the ministry to reform education, with STEM as a key focus.
He added that the programme will strengthen partnerships and collaborations with the UK government, particularly in adopting best practices and strategies to improve STEM education.
