GEORGE TOWN, August 26 – The STEM Showcase ’23, held in conjunction with the National Science Week (MSN) Carnival 2023 in Penang, witnesses a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) and the Penang State Secretariat Office, in partnership with Tech Dome Penang. The initiative aims to promote Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) culture among the people of Malaysia. The program, held at Han Chiang High School, Penang, was inaugurated by YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, the Chief Minister of Penang.
This initiative has garnered significant interest, attracting over 10,000 participants from the local community, including school students, higher education students, and the general public. In his address, YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow, the Chief Minister of Penang, stated, “The Penang State Government, through STI-based institutions such as Tech Dome Penang, Penang STEM, Penang Math Platform, Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC), and Penang Digital Library, is committed to providing technical and academic learning opportunities in these fields for both students and adults.”
He further emphasized that the Penang State Government is dedicated to addressing talent shortages by setting a target to train at least 20,000 participants in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). This is in line with the Penang Vision 2030, aimed at meeting the needs of industries and driving overall growth in the state. YB Tuan Chang Lih Kang, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, who was also present, stated, “The National Science Week program is one of MOSTI’s initiatives to offer non-formal education outside the classroom to enhance students’ interest in STEM fields and provide more exposure to STEM-related learning in daily life.
This effort is expected to rekindle students’ engagement in STEM fields in the long run, contributing to the country’s mission of becoming a high-tech nation.” YB Chang also expressed MOSTI’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Penang State Government to promote economic development and growth in Penang through STI initiatives. Penang plays a significant role in the advancement of STI in Malaysia. The organization of STEM Showcase ’23 during the Penang State-level MSN is seen as an initiative by the Penang State Government to support MOSTI’s efforts in cultivating STI.
The focus is on developing quality talent in the fields of science, technology, and innovation. A variety of program content has been thoughtfully arranged to attract primary and secondary school students, encouraging them to choose STEM-related fields of study. Engaging STI-based activities are provided throughout the 2-day program, including hands-on activities such as Solar Observation, Drone Challenge, Interactive Science Demonstrations, Robotics Activities, DIY STEM Rockets, Virtual Reality Planets, and STI Pocket Talks. During the same event, YAB Chow and YB Chang also witnessed the “TechXcellence” event, a public-private partnership program involving the industrial sector in Penang.
Showcasing their respective technologies at Tech Dome Penang. The STEM Showcase ’23 as part of the Penang State-level National Science Week Carnival 2023 has been successfully executed and is expected to have a significant impact on all visitors. The close collaboration between MOSTI and the Penang State Government is expected to yield positive results in nurturing high-quality talent, especially in the field of STI in Malaysia. Also present at the event were YB Tuan Lim Guan Eng, the Air Putih State Assemblyman and former Chief Minister of Penang, and YB Tuan Jagdeep Singh Deo A/L Dato’ Seri Utama Karpal Singh, the Deputy Chief Minister II and EXCO for Human Capital Development, Science, and Technology.
