Latest news with #TechnologyandInnovationMinistry
The Star
a day ago
- Science
- The Star
Petrosains Discovery Rover makes exclusive Sabah stop to promote STEM to rural students
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has been chosen as the first and only state to host the Petrosains Discovery Rover this year, bringing the excitement of hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning directly to communities in remote areas. The Petrosains Discovery Rover, a mobile exhibition truck equipped with interactive STEM exhibits, will tour over nine districts across the state. Petrosains' chief executive officer, Ezarisma Azni Mohamad, said the initiative aims to ignite interest in STEM among students while upskilling teachers with tools and techniques for more engaging classroom delivery. 'Sabah is the first and only state to host the Discovery Rover this year, making this launch especially meaningful. We are committed to empowering students, particularly in rural and underserved areas, through quality STEM education,' he said at the programme's launching ceremony at SJK (C) Kuok Ming in Tawau on Saturday (June 21). He added that the initiative reflects Petrosains' mission as a social impact arm of PETRONAS to democratise access to science and technology education and unlock opportunities for students regardless of geography. The Discovery Rover features engaging activities, including Math Kit, to strengthen numeracy through interactive problem-solving, Drone Challenge to introduce flight principles and basic coding and Carbon-O-Polly, which focuses on carbon literacy and sustainability. Other activities include Da Vinci Bridge, which combines physics and creativity in a challenge, Science Show to demonstrate scientific concepts in fun, accessible ways, and Teachers' Upskilling Sessions, aimed at enhancing classroom STEM delivery techniques. The launch was officiated by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry's deputy permanent secretary II, Syahrin Samsir, on behalf of permanent secretary Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Mohd Kassim. Also present were senior representatives from PETRONAS, the National Science Centre, and Petrosains. The initiative is expected to reach over 5,000 students throughout Sabah, adding to the impact of Petrosains PlaySmart Kota Kinabalu, which has welcomed over 1 million visitors since its launch in 2012. This effort is part of a broader commitment by PETRONAS to support education and human capital development in Sabah, through initiatives such as supporting science centre development in Tawau and Sandakan and rolling out the PETRONAS Education Sponsorship Programme (PESP) awareness campaigns. It also aims to improve internet access for remote schools like SMK Wallace Bay, Pulau Sebatik, and empower STEM educators through Program Duta Guru, aiming to upskill 4,500 teachers by 2030. PETRONAS also supports the WeHelp Programme, providing 17,190 scientific calculators to students statewide. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with two local technical colleges under the VISTA programme to boost vocational education and training opportunities. The Sabah leg is part of the Kembara Sains Borneo series under National Science Week, which began in southern Sarawak and ended in Tawau. Organised by the National Science Centre, with support from the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and strategic partners including Petrosains, it aims to deliver hands-on science experiences to students in remote areas.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Science
- New Straits Times
Three young Malaysian scientists to attend 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting in Germany
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will once again be represented on the international scientific stage, with the selection of three young scientists to attend the 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 4. The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, in a statement today, said this year's meeting will focus on the field of chemistry and is expected to bring together around 35 Nobel laureates and over 600 young scientists from 84 countries. Malaysia will be represented by Nur Diyan Mohd Ridzuan, 30, a PhD candidate in Applied Sciences (Chemistry) at Universiti Teknologi Petronas; Dr Ana Masara Ahmad Mokhtar, 34, a senior lecturer at the Bioprocess Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia; and Dr Mak Kit Kay, 33, a lecturer at the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, International Medical University (IMU). The ministry said the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, established in 1951, provide a globally recognised forum for exchange between Nobel laureates and young scientists. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, in the same statement, said the participation reflects the ability of local talents to compete internationally and is in line with with the ministry's commitment to nurturing future generations of scientists through long-term investment in talent development in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). "We believe that interaction with Nobel Prize winners will broaden the horizons of our young researchers and inspire more youth to pursue careers in science, technology and innovation," he said. Meanwhile, Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) president Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen Tengku Ibrahim said the young Malaysian scientists will have the opportunity to present their research and expertise at the meeting, opening the door to collaboration with scientists from world-class facilities. Since 2004, ASM, as the official nominating body, has identified and nominated promising scientists each year for consideration by the scientific review panel of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. To date, a total of 89 Malaysian scientists have been selected to take part in the meeting. – Bernama
Focus Malaysia
09-06-2025
- Science
- Focus Malaysia
Malaysia Techlympics 2025 aims to rope in 1.7 million youths nationwide
THE Malaysia Techlympics 2025 has officially kicked off with the aim of engaging some 1.7 million participants nationwide while at the same time aspiring to extend its reach to Organised by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI) through its agency the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corp Sdn Bhd as a strategic partner, the enculturation programme focuses on instilling strong science, technology and innovation (STI) culture among students and youth to shape a future-ready generation. Open to participants aged 7 to 30, the competition will be carried out in phases, starting at the school level prior to embarking on zonal screenings across six main regions and progressing to the National Finals which is scheduled to take place in November 2025. The competition format combines practical challenges, real-world technology exposure and experiential learning. The initiative also includes inclusivity, an effort on widening access and equity by reaching out to underserved communities in remote areas through targeted outreach initiatives. Additionally, teacher training sessions will also be conducted to equip educators with knowledge of current technologies to integrate and embed into daily education to help bridge the nation's educational gap. Very broadly, Malaysia Techlympics 2025 marks a pivotal step in nurturing future-ready talent and driving a culture of innovation that will shape the nation's STI landscape for generations to come. Recognising the crucial role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the future economy, more AI-focused competitions and activities are in the pipeline to encourage future generations to explore and develop expertise in this critical field. Several selected competitions have been earmarked to offer opportunities and exposure for students to gain global exposure and represent Malaysia on the world stage. Aligned with national and global priorities through support for the National STI Policy 2021-2030 and the Malaysia MADANI vision, Malaysia Techlympics 2025 aims to build high-impact local technological capacity More information about the Malaysia Techlympics 2025 can be obtained by visiting or follow Malaysia Techlympics 2025 on social media @mytechlympics. – June 9, 2025
New Straits Times
09-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia Techlympics aims to engage 1.7mil participants
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Techlympics 2025 has officially kicked off, aiming to engage 1.7 million participations nationwide. It will extend its reach to international participants in a science, technology and innovation (STI) competition. The enculturation programme is organised by Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry through its agency Malaysian Bioeconomy Development (Bioeconomy Corp). Bioeconomy Corp said the competition is open to participants aged 7 to 30 and will be carried out in phases, starting at the school level. It will continue with zonal screenings across six main regions and progressing to the national finals, which is scheduled to take place in November. "The competition format combines practical challenges, real-world technology exposure and experiential learning. "The initiative also includes inclusivity, an effort on widening access and equity by reaching underserved communities and remote areas through targeted outreach initiatives," the agency said. Teacher training sessions will also be conducted to equip educators with knowledge of current technologies to integrate and can be embedded into daily education to help bridge the educational gap nationwide. Bioeconomy Corp said Malaysia Techlympics 2025 marks a pivotal step in nurturing future-ready talent and driving a culture of innovation that will shape the nation's STI landscape for generations to come. "Recognising the crucial role of Artificial Intelligence in the future economy, Malaysia Techlympics 2025 will introduce more AI-focused competitions and activities, encouraging future generations to explore and develop expertise in this critical field." Additionally, several selected competitions offer opportunities and exposure for students to gain global exposure and represent Malaysia on the world stage. Aligned with national and global priorities through support for the National STI Policy 2021-2030, Malaysia Techlympics aims to build high-impact local technological capacity.
The Star
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sabah to host international event on rural social enterprise from Oct 31-Nov 4
KOTA KINABALU: A gathering to unite changemakers from across the globe with the aim of exchanging knowledge and networking purposes is set to take place in Sabah from Oct 31 to Nov 4. This gathering, which would involve entrepreneurs and representatives of rural communities, will be held at the Sabah International Convention Centre here. The Rural Social Enterprise Gathering is held in conjunction with the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) which takes place in Taipei, Taiwan from Oct 27 to Oct 31. 'This gathering will catalyse hands-on learning, cross‑sector collaboration and sustainable solutions for local challenges,' said Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (Scenic) chief executive officer Viviantie Sarjuni. Gerry Higgins, founder and managing director of Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) said the event would offer an opportunity for rural social enterprises from every continent to enhance their understanding of the approaches and solutions delivered by rural communities in Sabah and around the world. 'Rural communities often have more in common with their counterparts in other countries than with their urban neighbours, so SEWF is proud to support the innovation and commitment of Scenic to create this opportunity for exchange of best practice and learning,' he said. This event is hosted by Scenic in partnership with SEWF and the state Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (KSTI). Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with rural social enterprises through a learning visit to rural social enterprises in Sabah and a forum with dynamic discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions. After the SEWF 2025 in Taipei, delegates will travel to Sabah for the Rural SE Gathering, further solidifying the state's role as a key player in advancing social enterprise initiatives. Sabah, located in East Malaysia, is the second-largest state in Malaysia and home to a diverse population of over three million people comprising more than 30 ethnic groups, including the native Kadazan-Dusun, Bajau, and Murut. Despite its natural beauty and cultural richness, Sabah faces economic challenges, particularly in rural areas. Social enterprises are growing in Sabah as innovative solutions to address these challenges by empowering communities, creating sustainable livelihoods, and leveraging local resources to promote grassroots economic development. Those who wish to be part of this event can get more information or purchase tickets at with early bird rates available until June 21, and standard rates available up to Oct 15.
