(Seated from left) Fatimah, Manyin and Wilson are joined by other guests for a group photo.
KUCHING: Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and Petrosains, The Discovery Centre, Kuala Lumpur (Petrosains) have joined hands to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning in Sarawak.
This cooperation is facilitated following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between both parties at Swinburne Sarawak yesterday, which was witnessed by the Minister for Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong.
Signing on behalf of Swinburne Sarawak was its deputy vice chancellor and CEO Professor John Wilson while Petrosains was represented by its CEO Fatimah Fedora Zullikli.
Under the partnership, Swinburne Sarawak and Petrosains will jointly develop content and activities in STEM to encourage more students to participate in science and technology education as well gearing the community towards digital economy and adaptation of Industry 4.0.
Wilson said Swinburne Sarawak and Petrosains will work together to develop content and activities for STEM outreach programmes in Sarawak that include awareness in science and technology subjects, and industry collaborations to impart 21st- century learning among students.
In addition, both organisations will jointly develop a new upskilling programme in science communication for Petrosains Playsmart Kuching employees which could be extended to teachers in the future.
The exchange of the MoU took place concurrently with ‘Makers Meet’, an event jointly organised by Swinburne Sarawak and Petrosains to create interest in STEM among secondary school students. About 600 students from 12 secondary schools in Kuching took part in the one-day event that ran from 9am to 5pm at Swinburne Sarawak yesterday, in a range of activities from the field of engineering such as robotic coding and mechatronics to multimedia design, computing, physics and science.
“We are optimistic that the MoU between Petrosains and Swinburne Sarawak will allow us to play a more effective role in helping Sarawak achieve 60 per cent students in the science stream.
“As we aim to reach out to more schools in this endeavour, we are hopeful of support from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research Sarawak (MESTR) and the Sarawak Education Department.
“Among others, one of the items stipulated in the MoU is the joint development of content and activities including awareness programmes, industry talks and collaborations, niche programmes such as Arduino, micro bit, robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, semiconductor design, IoT (Internet of Things) and Big Data,” Wilson said in his speech. He added both parties will also explore the possibility of setting up a dedicated STEM hub in Kuching as a long-term strategy in meeting the state’s goals.
“Swinburne Sarawak first teamed up with Petrosains for the Science Virtual Reality event in August which introduced students, children and parents to the world of astronomy using virtual reality in conjunction with National Science Week Australia.
“Yesterday, Petronas organised a series of STEM activities which targeted secondary school students here. I thank Petrosains for working with Swinburne Sarawak and I am confident that together there is much we can achieve in the promotion of STEM,” he added.
Also present were MESTR deputy permanent secretary Dr Abdul Rahman Deen, Yayasan Sarawak director Azmi Bujang and Petronas Sarawak regional general manager Shamsur Taha.