Support pupils ahead of first UP-DLP exam this Oct, Sagah tells parents
SERIAN (July 11): Parents and guardians have been urged to support their children in learning English ahead of the inaugural Dual Language Programme Sarawak Assessment Test (UP-DLP) for Primary 6 pupils this October 15-16.
State Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, said the state government will conduct the English-based assessment in partnership with Cambridge University to gauge pupils' understanding of Mathematics and Science taught in English.
'We started teaching Mathematics and Science in English six years ago, and now we've decided to assess our pupils' capabilities. This will be done in collaboration with Cambridge University.
'The results will give us a clearer picture of how well our pupils are doing,' he told reporters after officiating at the 'Petronas Memacu Kehidupan Gawai 2025' event at Kampung Tarat Melawi here today.
'If you have children or grandchildren sitting for the UP-DLP, please encourage them to work hard and improve their English proficiency,' he added.
On a related matter, Sagah said discussions have yet to begin on the state's planned free tertiary education programme for working Sarawakians.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had, during the state-level Labour Day celebration on May 18, announced that the state government will fund full-time higher education for Sarawakian adults wishing to resume their studies.
Eligible courses will be offered at state-owned institutions including Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, i-CATS University College, and the Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak.
Sagah said his ministry is currently focusing on implementing the Sarawak Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES) for school leavers, which will only apply to those enrolled in full-time programmes.
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New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Teacher's battle with depression led her to the stars — and a new mission
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"It became something my parents and I did almost every night when the sky was clear." That early curiosity never faded. Today, at 29, Syahirah is an astronomical artist — a rare vocation that blends scientific interest with creative expression. Her vivid, intricately detailed paintings of galaxies, nebulae and celestial bodies bring the distant and unseen within reach. She is also the only Malaysian member of the International Association of Astronomical Artists (IAAA), the world's only guild dedicated to space-inspired art. "I'm now the assistant director of STEAM outreach for the IAAA," she adds, referring to a growing movement that integrates the Arts into the traditional STEM fields: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This interdisciplinary approach emphasises creativity alongside critical thinking, encouraging practical applications and real-world problem-solving. For Syahirah, the inclusion of art is not just academic, it is essential for nurturing well-rounded students. "Art has always been a lifeline for me," she says. "Imagination and creativity are just as essential as data and discovery. They help us make sense of the world and dream beyond it." An amateur astronomer and advocate for dark skies, Syahirah also serves as a Dark Sky Ranger with Dark Sky Malaysia and is part of the International Dark Sky Association (IDA), a global effort to raise awareness about light pollution and its impact on how — and if — we see the stars. She's no astronaut, scientist or astrophysicist. But Syahirah, who teaches English and Mathematics at Sekolah Kebangsaan Infant Jesus Convent Johor Baru, has always felt a quiet pull toward space — a lifelong fascination that continues to draw her back to the canvas, where she paints the cosmos as she first saw it: wide open, full of wonder and waiting to be explored. 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For someone who felt things deeply, it was hard not to take it personally. Growing up in a small town where English was barely spoken, life often felt limited. "No one spoke English. I barely did too. I actually learnt it by watching cartoons!" she says with a grin. But above her, the night sky hinted at something more. On clear nights, she'd sit on the steps of her home, eyes turned upward, tracing constellations in the darkness — a quiet wonder blooming with every star she could name. Syahirah was never like the other children. She carried moments longer, held emotions closer. "I felt things a lot deeper," she says softly. Childhood memories that others brushed off stayed with her. When she saw her cat get run over, the trauma stayed with her for months. "I didn't know how to move on from pain. the ache wouldn't go away." During one of her lowest moments, her father quietly entered her room in the middle of the night and gently woke her. 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"I didn't know it was depression back then, but I knew something was wrong." What anchored her during those difficult days was the night sky. Stargazing became her quiet refuge — a way to feel small and safe in a vast universe. "Looking at the stars brought me peace," she says. "It reminded me that there was more out there and that maybe things would get better." It was her mother's dream for her to become a teacher — just like both her parents. So Syahirah enrolled at the Institute Pendidikan Guru (IPG) in Batu Pahat, Johor. "I didn't mind following what my mother wanted," she says. "I've always loved learning and education. So why not?" But stepping out of her kampung came with its own set of challenges. "We didn't speak English where I grew up," she shares matter-of-factly. "So learning the language took a lot of effort." But perhaps one of the most significant steps Syahirah took was getting herself diagnosed. Why take that step? I ask. She shrugs slightly and answers with quiet honesty: "I just wanted to understand myself better. I used to wonder why things affected me so deeply… why I saw the world through such a sad lens. I needed to know why I felt that way." The diagnosis was Major Depressive Disorder. For the first time, Syahirah felt relief. There was finally a name for what she had been carrying all these years. It wasn't just in her head. It was real — and more importantly, it was something that could be managed with the right help. Major Depressive Disorder is a serious mental health condition that goes beyond feeling sad. It can cloud every part of your life — your thoughts, emotions, energy and even how you see the world. For Syahirah, it explained why she often felt overwhelmed by everyday experiences, why moments that seemed small to others felt unbearably heavy to her. "With the diagnosis, I could finally understand why I felt that way," she says. "And that meant I could start figuring out how to deal with it." ART THERAPY After graduating, Syahirah was posted to Sekolah Kebangsaan Infant Jesus Convent in Johor Baru — a place she still calls her professional home today. Through it all, she never stopped painting. Art became her therapy, her personal refuge. When words failed or emotions became too heavy, the canvas was where she poured it all out. "I started with landscapes," she says. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that Syahirah found herself at a crossroads — creatively and emotionally. In the quiet of lockdown, with time to reflect and reconnect with old passions, something unexpected happened. "It was like a Eureka moment," she recalls. "Something just clicked." The stars she used to gaze at as a child, the night skies that once filled her with wonder... they returned to her, this time through her paintbrush. Slowly, she began blending her lifelong love for astronomy with her art. Space, galaxies, constellations — what once felt distant now became deeply personal. "It just made sense," she says. "I was painting what I had always loved. The night sky became my canvas." She painted and painted, allowing herself to dream the same dreams she once had as a child. Over time, that sense of wonder began to spill into every part of her life. "How was I going to share what I knew? How could I show people the wonders of what's out there — the universe?" she muses. "I'm not a scientist. I don't work in a space agency. But I have art. And through that, I found my way of telling the story of the stars." Whether she was teaching astronomy to her students, speaking about the stars, or advocating for the preservation of dark skies, it all became part of the same passion — an enduring love for the cosmos and the stories it holds. Syahirah knows astronomical art is a niche, often overshadowed by the science of space. "You hear about astronauts and engineers, but rarely space artists," she says. "Yet for centuries, artists helped people visualise the cosmos. Art makes space accessible, sparks curiosity, and gives form to what science can't yet explain." Leaning forward, eyes sparkling, she tells me that while Galileo Galilei is primarily known for his groundbreaking work in astronomy and physics, he also had a strong artistic background. He applied his understanding of light, perspective and observation — skills honed through art — to his scientific work. "How did the scientists back then observe and record what they saw through their telescopes?" she asks. "They sketched. They painted. They used art to communicate what they discovered." For Syahirah, this fusion of disciplines is not new, but a return to how science and art once walked hand in hand. "Not many people remember the fourth man on the Moon," she shares. "Alan Bean. He wasn't just an astronaut. He became an artist after returning from space. He used crushed moon dust in his paintings to capture what he saw and felt. That really spoke to me. It showed that even someone who had walked on the Moon chose art to express something science alone couldn't explain." For Syahirah, it was a powerful reminder that imagination and emotion have a place in the cosmos too — and she has made it her life's mission to prove just that. From exhibitions to workshops and public talks, Syahirah has found creative ways to share her passion. She has even spoken to physics students at Universiti Malaya about bridging the gap between science and art through astronomy. A dedicated self-learner, she constantly reads and deepens her knowledge, using it as a teaching tool in the classroom. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. For her innovative approach to teaching astronomy, Syahirah received two innovation awards from the Johor Education Department. Beyond the classroom, she and her peers regularly organise live astronomical observation events across Malaysia and work to establish 'dark sky' areas — safe, light pollution-free zones where people can experience the wonder of the night sky in its full glory. For a young girl who once grappled with depression and still navigates the ebb and flow of her emotions, Syahirah has found something that grounds her — and brings her joy. "To any young girl who's struggled with mental health," she advises, adding: "follow your heart. Pursue your passion. It can be the light that carries you through the dark." For that 7-year-old girl who once sat beneath the stars in Kampung Sungai Sok, the universe called — and she listened. In the years that followed, even through the shadows of depression, she never stopped looking up. Now, with brush in hand and galaxies in mind, she reminds others that it's often in our darkest moments that we begin to see the stars.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Wu Yiquan: The Chinese AI researcher scoring big on the basketball court
Amid China's tech revolution, a new kind of multidisciplinary star is emerging – one who dominates both coding and sport. Wu Yiquan, an artificial intelligence (AI) scientist pioneering legal large language models by day, is also making headlines as a rising provincial basketball sensation. Wu, an assistant professor at the Zhejiang University law school, specialises in developing and training legal large language models for applications in education and research. The 1.8m-tall (5 feet 9 inches) star caught media attention after he scored 22 as the defender for the West Lake team in a Zhejiang Provincial City Basketball League qualifier match on July 17. In an interview with Henan-based news site Daxiang News on Wednesday, Wu said scientific research and basketball had things in common. 'The most captivating aspect of basketball is its unpredictability,' he said. 'The pregame analysis often differs from the actual situation on the court, which tests one's ability to adapt in real-time. 'In research, it is crucial to stay calm and positive when facing any challenges. 'Many young scholars embrace multiple identities with various hobbies. Science is not everything in life. Pursuing interests and passions can help cultivate a well-rounded personality and gain a broader perspective on challenges.' Wu completed his studies from undergraduate to doctorate in computer science at Zhejiang University in january, with the university recognising his dissertation as outstanding. He said he was inspired to pursue digital law research after encountering a 'smart court' project during his third year of studies. His research could be seen as a specialised large model for law. 'Because law ... requires high professionalism, while exploring technological innovation, we should ensure that the technology serves the greater good,' Wu said. 'My students come from diverse majors in computer science, law, liberal arts and sciences, forming a cross-disciplinary team. I encourage them to divide work among themselves, exchange ideas and create new sparks.' Wu's GitHub developer platform profile highlights not only his academic achievements but also his sporting awards, including a photo of him holding the hoop after a successful dunk. He captained the university men's basketball team for five years from 2019 and was the Chinese University Basketball Association's Outstanding Athlete for three consecutive years. Wu is the project leader of an open-source legal large language model named 'wisdomInterrogatory', providing legal help such as Q&A, case analysis and legal document generation. It was co-developed by Zhejiang University, Shanghai UniDT Technology and the Alibaba Discovery, Adventure, Momentum and Outlook (Damo) Academy. The chatbot is designed to draft documents and offer advice. For example, when asked how to recover money from an online scam, the chatbot gave a four-step guide: keep chat records and bank transfer receipts, report criminal behaviour to the police, seek legal aid and pursue a civil lawsuit to recover funds after the criminal case concludes. 'Everyone should protect their legal rights. Be cautious and do not easily trust requests for help from strangers to avoid being scammed. Stay vigilant to prevent similar incidents in the future,' it advised. In another case, when prompted to draft a contract for a full-time employee, the chatbot generated a template detailing job responsibilities, compensation and benefits, including salary and social insurance, duration of employment, as well as confidentiality clauses. It also listed attachments such as the employee handbook, insurance certificates and company rules and ended with a disclaimer. 'The above is just for reference. The specific content should be adjusted according to actual circumstances. It is advisable to consult a professional lawyer or human resources expert to better formulate a contract that meets your needs,' it said. - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
US tech companies skewered over false tsunami information
X users blasted the chatbot for the mistakes, with one calling AI a disaster for real time events. — AP When a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's Pacific coast on Tuesday, one core worry immediately emerged: A life-threatening tsunami. Around the Pacific Ocean, weather authorities leapt into action, modelling the threat and releasing warnings and advisories to prepare their communities for what could be a horrific night. As the news unfolded, residents of Hawaii, Japan and North America's West Coast jumped onto their devices to seek evacuation plans and safety guidance. Online, some got their information from artificial intelligence chatbots. And in the moment of potential crisis, a few of those newly prevalent tools appear to have badly bungled the critical task at hand. Grok, the chatbot made by Elon Musk's Bay Area-based xAI and embedded in the social media site X, repeatedly told the site's users that Hawaii's tsunami warning had been cancelled when it actually hadn't, incorrectly citing sources. Social media users reported similar problems with Google Search's AI overviews after receiving inaccurate information about authorities' safety warnings in Hawaii and elsewhere. Thankfully, the tsunami danger quickly subsided on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning without major damage. Still, the issues speak to the growing role of AI tools in people's information diets – above other search results, Google often places AI overviews that compile information from around the Internet, and Grok, the chatbot, automatically responds to users that tag "@Grok" on X posts – and to the tools' potentially dangerous fallibility. On Tuesday evening, Grok wrote that the National Weather Services's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had cancelled Hawaii's tsunami warning at 3.23pm local time "after data showed no significant waves. No impacts occurred – Hawaii is safe." This wasn't true. Authorities had issued the tsunami warning at 2.43pm, and waves didn't reach the islands until later in the evening. In reality, the Honolulu-based weather authority kept its warnings active until after 10.30pm, when it downgraded the guidance to an advisory. (Grok wasn't wrong everywhere; just four minutes after its "3.23pm" claim, it accurately told another user that "evacuations are ongoing" and that warnings were active for Hawaii and parts of Alaska.) X users blasted the chatbot for the mistakes, with one calling AI a "disaster for real time events." Another user tagged Musk and included several screenshots of Grok's errors, writing that the chatbot had "spread life-endangering misinformation during the tsunami event." A critic of Google – who prompted the search tool to show an AI overview by adding "+ai" to their search – called the text that showed up "dangerously wrong." X did not respond to SFGATE's request for comment. Google, which dubs high-stakes queries "Your Money or Your Life," said in a May document explaining the AI overviews that such queries give the tool "an even higher bar for showing supporting information from reliable and trustworthy sources." Google spokesperson Ned Adriance wrote, "Search quickly and automatically updates based on fresh web content and the latest information. In this case, Search now shows a dedicated alert feature that provides up-to-date information for people searching about this topic." ("Tsunami" searches on Wednesday morning by this reporter yielded a small "advisory" symbol and then, once the advisory was cancelled in the Bay Area, just a selection of news stories.) Grok, in reply to one of the posters complaining about its errors, wrote, "We'll improve accuracy." – SFGate, San Francisco/Tribune News Service
