WITH the Malaysian government looking to promote its science and technology capabilities as well as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the country, the first and only STEM Tertiary Education Centre (STEM-TEC) at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) can offer some insights.
Officially launched on Sept 17, the STEM-TEC was established to increase the number and improve the quality of in-demand STEM graduates for the New Zealand knowledge economy.
To date, most of the promotion of STEM subjects has only been at primary and secondary education levels, with relatively targeted initiatives at third level education.
The new centre focuses on enhancing the quality of STEM education by developing, implementing and sharing innovative pedagogical strategies in the teaching and learning of STEM subjects. This includes inquiry-based STEM activities and entrepreneurial studies for STEM subjects.
First established in 2013, the centre will also take on a multidisciplinary approach to STEM education, collaborating with other New Zealand and international tertiary institutions. It will work with domestic and international public and private partners to enhance the quality of STEM education at tertiary level.
“The majority of users of the centre will participate via regular seminars, professional development block courses, exchange programmes and international conferences,” said STEM-TEC founding director Sergiy Klymchuk.
“As the centre is hosted online, it also gives us a greater level of flexibility to adapt to the needs of our users and the industries our graduates will become part of.
“While we are constantly developing strategies for the next generation of STEM graduates, the demand for these graduates already exists. STEM-TEC is already delivering on our goal to produce quality STEM graduates for New Zealand’s science and technology sector.”
Education New Zealand South and Southeast Asia regional director Ziena Jalil said the launch of the centre is in line with Malaysia’s aim to promote STEM education and encourage 60 per cent of the young in the country to take up STEM subjects.
“AUT is a popular institution choice among Malaysian students. With Malaysia aiming to increase its intake of students taking up STEM subjects in school, the STEM-TEC at AUT provides a good avenue for students to pursue their passion in the area of STEM subjects.
“We look forward to collaborating with AUT in encouraging more Malaysian students to explore their opportunities at the institution’s STEM-TEC,” said Jalil.
To find out more about the education opportunities at the Auckland University of Technology and the rest of New Zealand, visit studyinnewzealand.com.