Latest news with #MYSA
The Star
3 days ago
- Science
- The Star
To infinity and beyond
Malaysia's efforts to boost science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education may soon reach new heights through the potential of space exploration. Pointing to data from the Education Ministry, National STEM Association president and founder Emerita Prof Datuk Dr Noraini Idris noted that interest in STEM at the secondary level remains below the national goal of 60%. Prof Ahmad According to ministry data, some 50.83% students enrolled for STEM streams last year. One reason for this shortfall, according to Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Ibrahim of the UCSI University Tan Sri Omar Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, is the perception that STEM subjects are highly technical and difficult. 'People see STEM as something difficult and complex, so students are not so keen,' he said. Space exploration, both experts noted, could help change this perception by sparking students' curiosity and making STEM more relatable. 'STEM education is something that has to be made exciting, and space is one tool that can be used to spark interest,' Prof Ahmad said. Agreeing, Prof Noraini said space can uniquely inspire awe and motivate students to pursue STEM fields. Pioneering steps Nonee Ashirin Building on this vision, momentum gathered at the recent Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima' 25), where Ocullospace Sdn Bhd and the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) formalised a landmark partnership to prepare Malaysia's youth for a future in space. This collaboration aims to transform how Malaysian students engage with space – starting in classrooms and collaborative global projects. MYSA director general Datuk Azlikamil Napiah underscored the importance of strengthening space education for Malaysia's ambitions in the sector. 'Space education is important to ensure the sustainability and enhancement of the country's capacity and capability in the space sector,' he said. He added that investing in education is also key to developing local talent and keeping pace with rapid advancements in space technology. 'It is significant to establish human capital development and synchronise with fast advancement in the space technology ecosystem. Azlikamil 'By 2030, we hope our efforts will develop expertise and cultivate highly skilled young talent to help Malaysia achieve high-tech nation status,' he said. At the heart of this initiative is the upcoming National Space Education Academy, envisioned as a central hub for advanced learning and public engagement in satellite technology, Earth observation, space exploration and data analytics. To bring science to life, the partnership will also launch national competitions such as nanosatellite design challenges and satellite coding contests, giving students hands-on experience to hone problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Malaysia will also adopt world-renowned programmes such as NASA HUNCH (High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware) and DreamUp – exposing students to real-world space projects and collaboration with global experts. Azlikamil said these initiatives support Malaysia's vision to become a regional hub for space technology and innovation, with aspirations for the space sector to contribute at least 1% (RM10bil) to the country's gross domestic product by 2030 and create 5,000 jobs. Malaysia's first Young Cosmonaut School Mazlan In addition, come 2027, Malaysia's first Young Cosmonaut School – officially known as the International Youth Space Academy (IYSA) – will open its doors to its first batch of students. The academy is a joint effort between the Nonee Ashirin Foundation (NAF) – a non-profit organisation empowering young people to explore space careers – and Singapore-based international research and education organisation CWC Enterprise Pte Ltd. Its mission is to inspire and equip the next generation of space leaders. The IYSA, which was also launched at Lima'25 on May 20 under the newly introduced A.T.M.O.S Sphere, will be located in Penang. The A.T.M.O.S Sphere is a high-tech exhibition, showcasing how space technology is driving progress in climate science, telecommunications, navigation, agriculture and national security. 'This agreement marks our commitment to building a sustainable space ecosystem in Malaysia. Through collaboration and education, we are laying the groundwork for long-term growth in the global space economy,' NAF founder Datuk Nonee Ashirin Mohd Radzi said. The academy will work closely with international and local partners – including trainers from Russia's renowned Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, the Association Ecology of the Unknown, the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, Malaysia's own astrophysicist Tan Sri Mazlan Othman, and Tech Dome Penang. The IYSA, said Nonee Ashirin, aligns closely with national education goals to strengthen STEM and cultivate a future-ready workforce. 'This academy supports national frameworks like the 10-10 Malaysian Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (MySTIE) Framework and the Malaysia Education Blueprint, which aims to increase STEM enrolment to 60% this year,' she explained. She added that while Malaysia has made significant strides in building STEM capabilities, bringing space education into the mix makes STEM more engaging and aspirational for young minds. 'By nurturing interest in space science, we are equipping students with the mindset and skills to lead in high-value, high-tech sectors that are key to our country's economic transformation,' she said. Weighing in, Prof Noraini noted that Malaysia has long recognised space and aerospace as critical drivers for high-tech growth under the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and the MySTIE Framework. 'Programmes like the IYSA provide a direct channel to develop interest, capability, and eventual workforce readiness in these areas,' she said. Beyond meeting national targets, Nonee Ashirin views the IYSA as a platform to help Malaysian youth see space as a real and attainable future. 'From mission simulations and robotics labs to mentorship from global astronauts and engineers, students will be immersed in a world that fosters innovation, resilience and vision,' she said. The IYSA, said Prof Noraini, will not only strengthen STEM content knowledge but also build critical 21st-century skills. 'Such programmes are vital for creating sustained interest in STEM, especially when integrated with Malaysia's school curriculum and co-curricular ecosystems. More importantly, space-based projects promote interdisciplinary thinking, which is critical for cultivating innovation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,' she added. More than skills Egorov Meanwhile, Russian cosmonaut trainer Timofey Egorov stressed the importance of character in space training. 'For space flights, the level of ethics of a person will be especially important for future space missions because these missions will probably be long-term and connected with long isolation in a closed volume of a spaceship (space station),' he said. Such conditions, he noted, can trigger profound psychological challenges that require strong ethical grounding to maintain a healthy and sustainable environment among crew members. As a pioneer of the Angkasawan programme that sent Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Al Masrie Sheikh Mustapha to the International Space Station, Malaysia's first astrophysicist Mazlan emphasised that aspiring astronauts must possess exceptional human qualities. 'If you look at the competition in the United States, for instance – when you read their CVs, they have multiple PhDs, they've been to flying school, skydiving, ocean diving. 'They are full of drive and fearless. That's the sort of people we need to nurture to bring Malaysia to space and succeed there,' she said. A mission in space demands extraordinary resilience, teamwork and character, she stressed. 'It's not like flying on an aeroplane where there's a large crew – there are only three of you in the capsule,' she added.
The Star
3 days ago
- Science
- The Star
Space studies to take off from 2027
New frontiers: Azlikamil said space technology would be an important pillar of Malaysia's STEM agenda, noting that space is among the most advanced fields globally. PETALING JAYA: Students will soon be learning about space as part of their school syllabus, says Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) director-general Datuk Azlikamil Napiah. 'The new syllabus is scheduled to be implemented in phases starting 2027,' Azlikamil said, adding that students would have the chance to learn subjects related to space, such as astronomy, physics, engineering, mathematics, biology and applied science. 'MYSA has been appointed as one of the key panel members by the Education Ministry to co-develop the new syllabus, which incorporates space science, technology and applications in the Science Subject,' he told StarEdu on Thursday. Azlikamil said space technology would be an important pillar of Malaysia's STEM agenda, noting that space is among the most advanced fields globally. This initiative is part of the Malaysia Space Exploration 2030 plan under Thrust 3: Driving the Development of Space Science and Technology and Building Expertise, which aims to strengthen space-related syllabus in national schools. Experts welcome this move, saying it will make learning more engaging for young minds. 'Fields like astronomy and aerospace engineering naturally incorporate elements of physics, mathematics, computer science and even biology, bringing abstract classroom concepts to life in tangible and exciting ways,' National STEM Association president and founder Prof Emerita Datuk Dr Noraini Idris said. 'When students understand how Newton's laws apply to space flight, how coding is used to control robotic missions or how life may be explored beyond our planet, they begin to see the relevance and application of STEM beyond just exams and textbook content,' she added. Prof Noraini also said linking STEM to the space sector could help address Malaysia's STEM talent shortage. 'According to the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, the country will require over one million STEM workers by 2030 to meet the demands of its high-tech industries, yet enrolments and graduates in STEM disciplines remain insufficient, whether in schools or universities,' she explained. Closing this gap, she said, requires strengthening basic STEM education and building clearer pathways from classroom to industry – and the space sector offers strong potential for this. Universiti Sains Malaysia vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed also highlighted that space education would spark early curiosity and scientific inquiry among students. 'By encouraging them to ask questions like 'how does an aeroplane fly?', 'how do satellites stay in orbit?', or 'how do we decide where to place a satellite?', educators can nurture a deep interest in exploration and discovery,' he said. He noted that hands-on projects, innovation challenges and classroom engineering activities could further build students' analytical skills and problem-solving abilities. Prof Abdul Rahman agreed that with coordinated efforts from schools, universities and industry, Malaysia could secure a place in the fast-growing global space sector. MYSA is a government agency under the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, mandated to lead the development and operation of space technologies under the National Space Policy 2030. By 2030, Azlikamil expects the space sector to contribute at least one percent (RM10bil) to the gross domestic product, create 5,000 job opportunities, achieve 50% self-reliance in space technology and generate a RM40mil annual data market.
New Straits Times
05-07-2025
- Science
- New Straits Times
Light Pollution Guideline in the works
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) is developing a Light Pollution Guideline to preserve astronomical activities, including astrotourism. Its director-general, Datuk Azlikamil Napiah, said the guidelines would minimise the impact of artificial lighting at night, benefiting astronomy-related initiatives and supporting the conservation of the natural environment. He said the guidelines, expected by 2026, are being formulated with input from stakeholders, including local authorities, academics, industries and astronomy communities. "The first stakeholder engagement session under the Seminar Sains Angkasa 2025, hosted by MYSA recently, identified the urgent need for a framework to develop Malaysia's own Light Pollution Guideline that can be implemented across the country," he told the New Straits Times. Among the key proposals discussed was the creation of a sky brightness index for dark-sky areas, such as observatories, campsites, and ecotourism zones, to help preserve these sites and their potential for astronomical research and development. Besides the focus on the benefits for astronomical activities, the session also called for studying the effects of light pollution on human health, economic development, tourism, cultural heritage and wildlife habitats. Azlikamil said several stakeholder workshops are scheduled for the future, including engagement with PLANMalaysia, local councils, academic institutions and industries to develop the guidelines. "Once completed, the draft will be presented to the National Space Committee for consideration." He added that the guidelines are one of the initiatives under Malaysia Space Exploration 2030 (MSE2030) and align with the National Space Policy 2030 (DAN2030) objective to strengthen the national space ecosystem, promote sustainable development and encourage scientific innovation. LEADING THE FIGHT An expert lauded the guidelines and said they come at a crucial time. Citing international dark sky advocates, he noted that light pollution continues to increase globally by an estimated 10 per cent each year. Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Muhamad Syazwan Faid, who specialises in light pollution research, said local authorities and municipal councils could play a pivotal role in mitigating the problem. He said this could be done by introducing lighting ordinances that required the use of full cut-off fixtures to direct light downward, reduce glare and prevent excessive skyglow. "The use of low-intensity, warm-coloured LEDs with lower correlated colour temperatures (CCTs) should be prioritised over blue-rich white lighting, which has greater potential to disrupt the night sky," he said. He also recommended equipping streetlights and outdoor advertisements with timers or motion sensors, alongside routine lighting audits to identify and retrofit over-lit or poorly aligned fixtures. Syazwan pointed to Chile as a strong example of a developing country with successful dark-sky policies. In cities like La Serena and Antofagasta, municipal authorities replaced traditional street lighting with certified DarkSky Approved luminaires, following the implementation of Supreme Decree No. 43. "Malaysia can look to this model, especially for protecting flora and fauna sites like Taman Negara, geoparks or proposed astrotourism zones," he said. IMPACT ON HUMANS Syazwan cited a 2024 cohort study from South Korea involving over 4.6 million people, which found a significant association between residential exposure to artificial light at night and increased risk of thyroid cancer, particularly among women. "The researchers suggest that light at night disrupts melatonin production and circadian rhythm, which are known to influence cancer risk and hormonal regulation," he said. This adds to growing global evidence linking night-time lighting to obesity, insomnia, depression and other endocrine disorders. Light pollution also has implications for Islamic astronomical practices, particularly the new moon sightings that mark the beginning of months such as Ramadan, Syawal and Zulhijjah. Syazwan said artificial skyglow near the horizon reduces the contrast between the thin crescent moon and the background sky, making it harder to observe with the naked eye or telescope. "These kinds of issues, both scientific and religious, must be included in targeted public awareness efforts. "Campaigns should not only highlight the ecological and astronomical significance of preserving dark skies, but also the human health risks and cultural-spiritual impacts of uncontrolled lighting." He added that only through informed communities and inclusive outreach could Malaysia strike a healthier balance between development and night preservation.
New Straits Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Japan, Malaysia to co-develop sustainable space ecosystem
KUALA LUMPUR: Japan and Malaysia are poised to co-create a sustainable and commercially viable space ecosystem, aiming to address key societal challenges in both countries while jointly working toward a better future. Nakamura Takehiro, director of Bangkok office, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), said this shared ambition builds on decades of collaboration between JAXA and the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA), most recently reinforced by a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) in 2023. "JAXA is proud to contribute to this shared vision by advancing research and applications of space-based data, supporting satellite development capabilities, and providing technical expertise and cooperation to bolster national space ecosystems. "This includes active support for long-term national strategies such as Malaysia Space Exploration 2030 (MSE2030). Under this policy, Malaysia aims to position its space sector as a key driver of competitiveness, sovereignty, and national well-being," he said in a statement. The MSE2030 policy is designed to reduce costs, improve service delivery, and drive innovation across sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, construction, environmental management, and mining, leveraging space technology to support national development. "The signing of the MoC between JAXA and MYSA marks a significant step forward in supporting implementation and affirms the deepening of bilateral cooperation between Japan and Malaysia through space activities," he said. Takehiro also highlighted the strong potential of the bilateral partnership, showcased during the Technomart Malaysia-Japan: Space Tech Collaboration event held at the Malaysia Pavilion during Expo 2025 Osaka on May 15, 2025. Technomart was more than just a showcase of capabilities—it was a strategic platform designed to promote tangible business outcomes across a broad range of sectors. These included technologies, products, services, and solutions in satellite-based Earth observation aimed at addressing social challenges; the development and manufacturing of small satellites; rocket launch services and launch site infrastructure for satellite deployment; and emerging ventures in lunar exploration. "As Malaysia continues to invest in its industrial base and develop future-ready talent, and as Japan ventures to pursue deeper international partnerships, both countries are well-positioned to lead the next wave of space innovation, by addressing regional social challenges based on cooperation, technology, and trust, working together toward a future of shared prosperity," added Takehiro.
The Sun
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Japan, Malaysia Partner to Boost Space Tech and Innovation
KUALA LUMPUR: Japan and Malaysia are poised to co-create a sustainable and commercially viable space ecosystem, aiming to address key societal challenges in both countries while jointly working toward a better future. Nakamura Takehiro, director of Bangkok office, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), said this shared ambition builds on decades of collaboration between JAXA and the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA), most recently reinforced by a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) in 2023. 'JAXA is proud to contribute to this shared vision by advancing research and applications of space-based data, supporting satellite development capabilities, and providing technical expertise and cooperation to bolster national space ecosystems. 'This includes active support for long-term national strategies such as Malaysia Space Exploration 2030 (MSE2030). Under this policy, Malaysia aims to position its space sector as a key driver of competitiveness, sovereignty, and national well-being,' he said in a statement. The MSE2030 policy is designed to reduce costs, improve service delivery, and drive innovation across sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, construction, environmental management, and mining, leveraging space technology to support national development. 'The signing of the MoC between JAXA and MYSA marks a significant step forward in supporting implementation and affirms the deepening of bilateral cooperation between Japan and Malaysia through space activities,' he said. Takehiro also highlighted the strong potential of the bilateral partnership, showcased during the Technomart Malaysia-Japan: Space Tech Collaboration event held at the Malaysia Pavilion during Expo 2025 Osaka on May 15, 2025. Technomart was more than just a showcase of capabilities—it was a strategic platform designed to promote tangible business outcomes across a broad range of sectors. These included technologies, products, services, and solutions in satellite-based Earth observation aimed at addressing social challenges; the development and manufacturing of small satellites; rocket launch services and launch site infrastructure for satellite deployment; and emerging ventures in lunar exploration. 'As Malaysia continues to invest in its industrial base and develop future-ready talent, and as Japan ventures to pursue deeper international partnerships, both countries are well-positioned to lead the next wave of space innovation, by addressing regional social challenges based on cooperation, technology, and trust, working together toward a future of shared prosperity,' added Takehiro.
