Strengthening STEM education a national imperative
LETTERS: In today's world, where technological innovation and digital transformation drive economies and reshape societies, the mastery of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is a necessity.
This journey must begin early, starting at the school level, where foundational interests and competencies are first nurtured to ensure we remain competitive in an increasingly complex global environment.
Schools must embrace project-based learning approaches that encourage students to engage with real-world problems, design prototypes, and innovate solutions.
Hands-on experience cultivates critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, transforming STEM subjects from dry theory into living, inspiring experiences. Exposure to real-world applications of STEM knowledge is crucial.
Schools should forge partnerships with industries, research institutions and universities to provide field visits, workshops, mentorships and innovation camps.
Apart from introducing students to emerging technologies and making their career path in STEM more visible and tangible, we must bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry demands.
The heart of effective STEM education lies with the teachers. They must be empowered through structured and ongoing professional development to stay abreast of technological advances and innovative pedagogical techniques.
Teachers must also be supported with resources, teaching aids and mentorship, allowing them to deliver STEM content in an inspiring and accessible manner.
Next, incorporating digital technologies in classrooms, such as coding tools, robotics kits, virtual laboratories and simulation software, can make learning more interactive and relatable. Such exposure equips students with essential digital skills while making complex scientific concepts more understandable and engaging.
Lastly, beyond the school gates, a broader societal culture that values science, innovation and discovery must be nurtured.
National media campaigns, science fairs, innovation contests, and inspiring public figures in STEM fields should be leveraged to make science not only accessible but also aspirational, encouraging young minds to view STEM as a viable and exciting future.
Implementing these strategies will be a challenge. Laboratory facilities are often inadequate, Internet connectivity remains unreliable, and overcrowded classrooms stretch both physical resources and teacher attention thin.
Thus, targeted investments are urgently needed to upgrade rural school facilities, expand access to digital learning tools, and provide additional support for teachers, especially those serving underprivileged communities.
Efforts to cultivate STEM interest must be inclusive, ensuring that urban and rural talents flourish.
MOHD HISHAM MOHD SHARIF
Senior Lecturer,
College of Business,
Universiti Utara Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
28-05-2025
- Daily Express
Education reform urgent for Sabah's future: CM
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji greets some of the attendees. - Pic by CMD KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said transforming Sabah's education system is an urgent necessity, not a choice, to prepare students for future challenges. He cited 2024 data showing only 65 per cent of students possessed good or excellent problem-solving skills, while just 72 per cent felt confident applying science in daily life. Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Arise International Education Research Conference at SICC on Wednesday, he stressed that many students still struggle with Stem basics and that education reform must be prioritised. Hajiji emphasised strengthening research-based and innovative teaching approaches, including greater investment in Stem and TVET programmes to produce competitive, skilled human capital in Sabah. He also highlighted the RM41.75 million allocation this year for science and innovation programmes, alongside the importance of global partnerships and educator-driven research in raising Sabah's education profile. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
24-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Sibu school to modernise facilities, embrace STEM, TVET
Lau (fifth right) and Vong (seventh right) join others in the cake-cutting ceremony. — Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (May 25): The management board of SK Bandaran Sibu No 2 is committed to upgrading school facilities and creating a safe, modern and inspiring environment where both teachers and students can thrive. According to the school's management board chairman Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau, these efforts align with education reforms focused on strengthening teacher professionalism, integrating Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and technical and vocational education and training (TVET), using technology in teaching, and reducing dropout rates. 'However, while the board is committed to supporting these changes, it still faces limitations and relies on allocations from the Education Department to support the school,' he said during the school's 'Teacher's Day' celebration at a hotel here on Friday. Lau added that the official theme for the national 2025 Teacher's Day celebration, 'Guru Pemacu Reformasi Pendidikan' (Teachers Driving Educational Reform), reflected the evolving role of teachers in leading innovation and student-centred learning in today's fast-changing education landscape. 'Teachers are key drivers of this change, guiding students to meet the demands of the digital era. 'With the support of the community, and the dedication of our staff and students, I believe our school will continue to grow, keep pace with the times, and contribute meaningfully to education reform. 'These reforms also bring challenges, from adopting new tools to addressing students' needs – all of which require strong support and an enabling environment.' Lau also pointed out that although SK Bandaran Sibu No 2 might not be comparable with other larger schools here in terms of facilities, it would be up to the teachers and headmaster to 'turn weaknesses into strength'. Lau also expressed hope that the school would win more awards in curriculum and co-curricular activities in time to come, and urged teachers to find opportunities for students who may not excel academically but possess other talents. Meanwhile, the headmaster Vong Kiong Ming stated that the Ministry of Education had allocated RM450,000 for the school's upgrading works, particularly those on maintenance of the administrative block. . STEM SK Bandaran Sibu No 2 TVET Vincent Lau
Free Malaysia Today
17-05-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Malaysia's tech ambitions hinge on STEM talent, says Mosti
Science, technology, and innovation minister Chang Lih Kang says Malaysia must urgently grow its local STEM talent to retain high-tech investments. PETALING JAYA : Malaysia risks losing high-value investments from global tech giants like Tesla and Amazon unless it urgently addresses the shortage of skilled talent, says science, technology, and innovation minister Chang Lih Kang. Despite a nearly 10% increase in STEM enrolment over the past five years, Chang said Malaysia currently does not have enough skilled talent to meet the demands of fast-moving tech industries. 'Whatever we are doing now, we would only be able to see the impact 10 to 15 years from now. We need to plan ahead,' he told FMT in an interview. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is investing RM25.5 billion through 2037 to set up a cloud region in Malaysia that is expected to support thousands of jobs in AI, machine learning, cybersecurity and software development. Tesla meanwhile launched its best-selling Model Y in the country and is rolling out a network of ultra-fast superchargers with an investment of US13.5 million, as of mid- 2024. 'If we don't buck up, these investments will come down, or (investors) will look at other places to invest so that they have enough talent. This is the risk if we don't have enough talent,' said Chang. The minister said Malaysia will in the short term open its doors to foreign talent while also working to upskill locals, including non-STEM graduates, through micro- credential programmes offered by agencies like Mimos and the Malaysia Board of Technologists. 'We work closely with the human resources ministry (and) TVET (institutions) as a way to improve their current skills, so that it is more tech-driven,' he said, adding that the collaboration is meant to build skills in robotics, coding and AI. Chang also said the science, technology and innovation ministry (Mosti) is collaborating with the education and higher education ministries to introduce curriculum reforms, boost industry exposure, and nurture scientific curiosity from an early age. Hands-on university projects, such as those introduced at Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Malaya, are already yielding results, with graduates entering the workforce more job-ready. The minister also pointed to flagship initiatives such as the Malaysia Techlympics, National Science Week, and Kembara Sains Borneo as part of a broader push to bring science to life for younger Malaysians, particularly those in rural areas. 'It was more conventional then (when I was a student). Now it is more interactive so that they (students) can understand science better,' said Chang, a former civil engineer and UPM graduate. Despite this, industry experts say Malaysia continues to lose its STEM graduates to countries like Singapore, where engineers earn S$4,000 (RM13,250) per month on average — more than three times a Malaysian engineer's salary. Chang acknowledged that currency disparities make it difficult for Malaysia to compete purely on salary. However, he believes that developing a comprehensive ecosystem for high-value tech sectors could convince graduates to forgo the higher pay on offer elsewhere and remain in Malaysia. If there is an ecosystem, they may have second thoughts, and may instead choose to enjoy Malaysia's lower cost of living while being closer to their parents, he said. Chang pointed to aerospace engineering as a sector where graduates often struggle to find relevant jobs in Malaysia and end up working in unrelated fields. 'By attracting the space industry in Malaysia, we slowly build an ecosystem and (create) more job opportunities,' he said, pointing to recent projects, including a remote sensing satellite and a proposed rocket launch facility in Malaysia. All in all, Chang said the vision of Malaysia becoming a high-tech, innovation-driven economy by 2030 depends on whether the country can inspire, train and retain the next generation of scientists, engineers and technologists. 'It's not that science is better than social science. It's just that the need for science is growing fast in every industry,' he said. 'Students need to have more curiosity. Even arts stream students who learn coding can be more competent and competitive at their workplaces.'
