KOTA KINABALU – Sabah is opening four new innovation centres in Malaysia as part of the campaign to groom a culture of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in the state.
Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Arthur Kurup pointed out that Sabah has fallen far behind in the national goal of achieving 60% student enrollment in STEM fields.
“Sabah is 27% far lower than the STEM target,” he said. “This is of great concern.”
The World Economic Forum predicted that nine of 10 jobs in the future require STEM knowledge.
“If we do not overcome this problem, we will be left far behind,” he told reporters during a ministry and media interaction last night.
Kurup acknowledged that many in Sabah shy away from STEM disciplines due to the prevailing perception that these subjects are challenging.
This notion has discouraged potential students, he said.
Kurup said the new hubs spearhead the ministry’s intensified efforts to foster greater interest among Sabahans in STEM fields.
He said the first centre has opened in Sandakan for the east coast region and recently in Keningau for the interior division.
The third centre will be in Tuaran, and the fourth in Kota Marudu, he added.
“This will give Sabah the most number of space innovation centres in Malaysia. Most states average around two,” he said.
The Pensiangan MP said the ministry will also launch the state-level National Science Carnival Week on August 24.
The Techlympics competition this year saw participation from the state rise to over 600 entries, compared with around 300 last year.
He said the Borneo Science Expedition has also been launched in Kota Marudu, Pitas and Kudat this month.
Kimanis, Kalabakan and Pensiangan will host it in September.
Kurup said the mobile version of the National Science Centre will also be brought to rural Sabah areas to encourage more interest in STEM studies among locals. – The Vibes, August 23, 2023
