Campaign to promote STEM among the younger generation
By V. Sivaji
There is an expression- Knowledge is power and Power is knowledge.
In keeping with this, the Penang state government in collaboration with Penang Science Cluster, Tech Dome Penang, Penang Math Platform and Penang Skills Development Centre will offer courses to promote the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Present at the launching ceremony of this community-led educational and skills training initiative to benefit the community was Penang Chief Minister 11, Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, Datuk S Selvakumar, chief executive officer of Shan Poornam Metals Sdn Bhd, Philip Vincent (Committee PSDC), Richard Chung (general manager PSTEM), Khoo Bhoo Wooi (TDP), Tan Eng Tong (CEO PSDC) and Tham Kok Kee (PSDC).
The event was held at the Kuil Ayira Vaisyar Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar at Penang Waterfall.
Dubbed “STEM Future-Proofing”, the initiative hopes to train more technical talents for the burgeoning demand for skilled workers.
“I commend Datuk Selvakukar for this initiative. Temples are not only places of worship but also a centre for learning. We are a frontline state and we need skilled and qualified workforce.
“As Penang is moving very fast, we have to prepare students for the future. We want to help them and fulfill their potential,” said Ramasamy in his address.
As the positive and vibrant influx of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and also Direct Domestic Investment (DDI) into Penang in recent years, the demand for technical talents and skilled workers has also increased.
Thus, the talent supply gap is of utmost importance and still needs to be addressed to ensure that the state continues to be the preferred destination for investors with adequate supply of technical and engineering talents.
Programmes offered by the STEM Centres cover all age groups of students, aimed not only at sparking interests in STEM-learning amongst primary students but also providing foundation-learning for secondary students to inspire more to opt to go into science stream in upper secondary and subsequently into higher academic studies and careers in STEM fields.
This initiative is aimed at offering 2-years’ extra-curricular foundation learning to form 4 students interested in pursuing future academic studies and careers in Engineering or Computer Science.
Working in collaboration with established training institutions, the programme content will cover foundation topics leading to diploma studies.
Under the Public-Private Partnership (3P) model, the programme is fully funded by Datuk Selvakumar
The two-year programme will be conducted in the temple on weekends with about 15 – 20 sessions per year and will also include year-end school holiday bootcamps and plant visits to sponsor companies.
In line with the commendable effort, an awareness talk will also be held for students and parents on Sunday May 21 at the temple hall.
Those interested to enrol for the programme are encouraged to contact the following:-
Nicky Sivananthan at019-2186130 or Kasinathan at 016-4863108.
Richard Chung general manager of PSTEM