AI-powered SiPKPM helps 4,758 dropout students return to school
He said the number represents an increase compared to 2,708 dropout students who returned to school in 2024, proving that data-driven approaches and continuous monitoring can significantly increase re-entry rates into the national education system.
'Most recently, SiPKPM has been integrated with the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which can predict the learning and career pathways of at-risk and dropout students who are in Education Ministry (MoE) schools, up to Form Five.
'These predictions help the MoE retain at-risk students and ensure they continue their schooling,' he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to a question from Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim Bandar Baharu), who asked about the effectiveness of SiPKPM in comprehensively tracking the movements of Malaysian children, including dropout students and children without access to education.
Wong said SiPKPM covers data on all children from preschool to Form Five, including those in private educational institutions and religious schools.
He also said that according to MOE data, the main contributing factors to students dropping out of school include lack of interest in schooling, the need to work, family issues and chronic illness. - Bernama
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New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Teacher's battle with depression led her to the stars — and a new mission
IN Kampung Sungai Sok, a quiet village nestled deep in Kelantan, the air was still and the skies stretched wide and clear. Far from the glare of city lights, the nights were deep and dark — and the stars hung like tiny diamonds in the sky. In that remote place, where the forest grew thick and ecosystems remained untouched by development, the world felt wild and full of wonder. Every night, a 7-year-old girl would sit in silence, her head tilted back in awe. Above her, constellations shimmered like secrets waiting to be discovered — and she was ready to listen. "You could see starry nights… and when the night gets really dark, you might even spot fireflies!" recalls Nurul Syahirah Nazarudin. It was in those still, starlit moments that her fascination with the cosmos took root. The vast sky stirred big questions — What lies beyond Earth? Are we truly alone? How far does the universe stretch? "I fell in love with stargazing," she says. "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. "I never imagined I'd become a teacher," Syahirah admits. Her parents were both educators — her father taught Physics and Mathematics, and her mother was a pre-school teacher. Although she enjoyed sharing knowledge, teaching never felt like her path. "It just wasn't what I wanted," she confesses. "Well… at first anyway!" Art, on the other hand, came naturally. The eldest of five daughters, Syahirah had a creative streak from the start. "My mother used to say the walls of our home were my canvas — they were covered in my scribbles," she says with a laugh. But at the religious school where she studied, her paintings were often confiscated. "They didn't allow us to draw human figures," she explains. "Looking back, I get it — I broke the rules. But I just wanted to draw anime characters. I loved them." She pauses, then adds with a small sigh: "I suppose it was understandable. Still, it felt like being punished for something I was passionate about." 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. He led her outside and there, waiting in the stillness, was a telescope. "My father bought me my first telescope," she says, her voice catching. "I'll never forget that moment." A DIAGNOSIS With all the emotional turmoil she carried, Syahirah's childhood dreams — of becoming a doctor, an astronaut or pursuing a career in science — slowly slipped away. Failing to meet the required results for the science stream felt like the final blow. Adolescence only made things harder. Syahirah faced emotional highs and lows she couldn't explain. Some days, she felt lost, overwhelmed by feelings too big for her age. "I didn't know what was going on," she says. "Back then, we didn't talk about mental health." Teachers were perceptive enough to notice when she wasn't fully present in class — and gave her the space she needed. "Still, I never skipped school. I truly believed in education and how important it was, even when I didn't feel like myself," she shares. "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
a day ago
- The Star
From brain drain to brain gain
Zambry: Overseas experience can benefit country MALAYSIA can benefit from young talents going abroad to gain knowledge and experience – if we can get them to return and contribute to nation-building. While acknowledging that the loss of talent is a long-standing issue in the country, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir believes it can be turned into a positive. 'We can't stop people from leaving for greener pastures, (so) we have to look at it (brain drain) differently. 'We're trying to approach things from another perspective – from brain drain to brain gain. 'Meaning, let those who study abroad get experience there, and after a while, encourage them to come back,' he said, adding that one of the main reasons talent leave is the higher salaries offered abroad. Speaking at the 'In Person With Doc Zam' Q&A session at Universiti Malaya (UM) on July 17, he said every ministry must work together to address the issue. Initiatives like Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd (TalentCorp), he added, can help bring Malaysian professionals home. Zambry also addressed the broader challenges facing graduates post-Covid-19. 'It is not just post-pandemic; it's also the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and the new digital economy. 'For example, at the World Economic Forum last January, it was predicted that while about 79 million new jobs will be created, some 40 million existing jobs will disappear,' he said. To tackle this, the ministry is focusing on preparing students for new and emerging industries through the Malaysia Education Blueprint (Higher Education) 2025–2035. 'We're prioritising science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and encouraging students to pursue science and technology. '(But) students should not be ashamed of studying fields like agriculture, because food security is a first priority for all civilisations,' he said, adding that there is a surge in interest in technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Last year, there were 140,000 enrolments in TVET; this year, the number has jumped to 200,000, he shared. Learning without walls The approach to higher education is undergoing major changes, with a focus on application-based learning and real industry experience, Zambry said. 'We're moving towards a learning model where students are not confined to the campus all the time. It could be two years on campus, and another two years in industry. 'This is a new model that is more realistic and high-impact,' he said, adding that this approach aligns with the increasingly dynamic and complex job market. Students can no longer rely solely on traditional lectures particularly with the rise of the digital economy, he said, adding that they must be bold enough to ask questions, challenge ideas, and sharpen their critical thinking skills. Citing Japan's Kosen institution system, he said it is renowned for producing engineers through a technical education approach that balances professional competence with social responsibility. 'What is the ultimate goal for humans? We work on this Earth. And who lives on this Earth? People. So, who does an engineer serve? Society. That is another dimension of an engineer,' he said. The event, which was live-streamed, saw over 3,000 foundation students from UM, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Mara in attendance. During the session, Zambry fielded questions on student involvement in education policy, freedom of expression, youth political awareness, and quotas in critical fields such as medicine. He reminded students to stay vigilant about fake information, especially false content produced by AI. 'Nowadays, AI can create images that look very real. But when you check, the person might not even exist. 'That's why we need to have a critical mind. When you see something, ask first – is this true?' he stressed. Also present were Higher Education secretary-general Datuk Dr Anesee Ibrahim, director-general Prof Datuk Dr Azlinda Azman, and UM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Zambry's visit to Japan boost strategic cooperation
PUTRAJAYA: The recent working visit by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir to Tokyo and Osaka reflects Malaysia's commitment to further explore strategic cooperation with advanced nations like Japan in driving excellence in higher education. In a statement today, the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) said the initiative is aligned with the development of the Malaysian Higher Education Plan 2025–2035, which is currently being formulated. The ministry said emphasis on technological entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence (AI), and high-impact technical, vocational and engineering education and training (TVET) is among the key pillars to ensure Malaysian students are prepared to thrive in a future innovation-driven economy. Zambry's working visit, at the invitation of the Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia (ERIA) from July 28 to 30, aimed to strengthen Malaysia–Japan strategic cooperation in higher education, research, innovation and technology. MOHE said key components of the visit included a bilateral meeting with Koichi Hagiuda, Chairman of the Policy Research Council of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The meeting discussed various strategic issues related to the challenges faced by modern universities and the potential for collaboration in the fields of innovation and the creative economy (orange economy). It said Zambry also visited the University of Tokyo, where he was briefed on the AI Startup programme developed specifically for undergraduate and postgraduate students. It said the programme has produced many students who successfully established AI-based startups generating high incomes in their respective fields. The initiative is driven by Matsuo Lab Startup, which provides mentorship, a startup ecosystem, and access to the latest technologies. "The minister said that this is a model worth exploring and adapting for implementation in Malaysia to empower students as value creators in the future economy,"the statement read. Zambry also visited the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), which provided the MOHE team with the opportunity to observe the latest technologies in semiconductors, AI and quantum computing. The visit also highlighted the potential for collaboration between AIST and Malaysian research institutions such as Mimos, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The ministry said Zambry met with the President of the University of Tsukuba, Prof Kyosuke Nagata, with discussions focusing on strengthening the university's branch campus in Malaysia and expanding its programmes to a higher level, including collaboration in the field of High-TVET. In addition, MOHE said that Zambry's preliminary discussion with Prof Ichiro Sugimoto, Dean of the Centre for Malaysian Studies at Soka University, opened new opportunities to expand the centre and explore research in comparative religion, as well as foster research collaboration between Soka University and Malaysian institutions. The ministry said Zambry also visited the Kaneka Osaka Plant, a high-tech research and production centre involved in the development of advanced chemical and biotechnological materials. Discussions were held on potential researcher and student exchanges between Malaysia and Japan to support talent growth in high-tech sectors. Zambry also visited the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo Osaka and met with Malaysian postgraduate students in Tokyo, reaffirming the ministry's continued commitment to the welfare and support of Malaysian students abroad. MOHE said the Higher Education Week concluded on July 26, 2025, at Expo Osaka with the theme "Study in Malaysia", attracting 100,000 visitors over six days, a clear indication of the overwhelming response to Malaysia's participation on the international stage.
