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Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Science
- Borneo Post
Education reform urgent for Sabah's future - Hajiji
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor and guests pose for a group photo with participants of the Astounding Research Innovation STEM Exploration (ARISE) 2025 International Education Research Conference after the officiation ceremony at SICC, Kota Kinabalu on Wednesday. KOTA KINABALU (May 28): The transformation of the state's education system is an urgent necessity, not a choice, to ensure Sabah's students are equipped to face future challenges, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor. He said recent research data from 2024 revealed that only 65 per cent of students demonstrated good or excellent problem-solving skills, while just 72 per cent felt confident applying scientific knowledge in daily life. 'This clearly shows that we cannot be complacent. Many students still struggle to grasp fundamental STEM concepts. Therefore, education reform must be a top priority for all stakeholders,' he said when officiating the Astounding Research Innovation STEM Exploration (ARISE) 2025 International Education Research Conference at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Wednesday. He emphasized that research- and innovation-based teaching approaches must be strengthened and mainstreamed to ensure Sabah's education system remains relevant, inclusive and competitive. He also urged educators, educational institutions, researchers and policymakers to continue exploring and enhancing educational strategies that align with the digital era and current industry needs. Hajiji said ARISE 2025, which gathered over 600 participants from both local and international institutions, including from the United Kingdom, Spain, the Philippines, China and Ireland, serves as a vital platform to pioneer global education collaboration. 'This conference not only brings together educators, researchers and policymakers from around the world, but also promotes the empowerment of education rooted in science, technology, and culture,' he said. He also underlined the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as well as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education as key drivers in developing high-quality, competitive and innovative human capital in Sabah. In that regard, he noted that the state government has allocated RM41.75 million this year to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Sabah (KSTI), the Sabah Skills and Training Centre (SSTC), and the Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre for the implementation of various training and skills empowerment programmes. Among the key initiatives, he said, are Kembara Sains Borneo, Sabah Science Carnival, Technology and Innovation Competitions, STEM Education Festival, Roboneo Programme, and Sabah Screen Fest – all of which serve as vital platforms to spark student interest in technology and engineering. Hajiji also welcomed the presentation of 13 sub-themes at the conference, covering areas such as digital education, Malay studies, Islamic education, guidance and counselling, sports science, visual arts, and early childhood education. He expressed confidence that this exchange of knowledge would foster international collaboration and elevate the global profile of researchers and educational institutions in Sabah. 'Educators are the heart and backbone of successful education transformation. I call on them to boldly explore research and innovation in education,' he said. According to him, the conference also reflects the state government's commitment under the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan 2021–2025, which prioritizes education as a catalyst for sustainable state development.
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Climate
- Business Standard
Explained: What is the new Bharat Forecast System and how does it work?
The Ministry of Science on Monday launched the Bharat Forecast System (BFS), saying it is the world's most precise indigenously developed weather forecasting model. The system has become operational after three years of testing since its launch in 2022. Let's understand in detail what the Bharat Forecast System is and how it is more accurate, fast, and effective than the previously used models. What is Bharat Forecast System? Bharat Forecast System, developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune, is a weather forecasting and monitoring system which uses high-end computer systems and satellite imagery. The use of the supercomputer 'Arka' makes it possible to deliver the results at the highest possible speed, which is faster than any other forecasting system in the world. The supercomputer has a capacity of 11.77 petaflops and a storage capacity of 33 petabytes. According to Parthasarathy Mukhopadhayay, one of the researchers involved in the project, the data from a network of 40 Doppler Weather Radars (a system of high-resolution weather monitoring stations) from across the country will be used to run the BFS model. With this, BFS is now able to deliver more localised forecasts and nowcasts (forecasts of present weather conditions immediately). The number of Doppler radars will gradually rise to 100, enabling the weather office to issue nowcasts—short-term weather forecasts for the next two hours—nationwide. What makes BFS better than any other forecast system? The modified BFS system came up with a lot of new upgrades in comparison to the previously used forecast systems. However, BFS's speed, accuracy, and much more localised predictions make it the best forecasting system in the world. Speed: Suryachandra Rao, Director of IITM-Pune, stated that earlier weather forecasting models required around 12 to 14 hours to produce predictions for a specific area. However, with advancements in high-performance computing systems under the central government's 'Mission Mausam', forecasts can now be made within four to six hours. Accuracy: The use of high-end computers not only improved its speed but also accuracy. "This significant milestone represents a major leap in India's self-reliance in meteorological sciences, enabling more accurate and granular weather forecasts up to panchayat level for disaster risk reduction, agriculture, water resource management, and public safety," a senior official from the Earth Sciences Ministry said, as quoted by The Economic Times. Furthermore, the system has demonstrated a 30 per cent improvement in accuracy for extreme rainfall events, which are frequent during the monsoon season, compared to existing models. It has also shown significant enhancement in predicting cyclone paths. Localised predictions: Previously operated weather forecasting systems used to forecast weather patterns over a 12 km grid. However, in a much more localised way, now BFS is able to predict weather conditions in a 6 km grid. This means the current model can forecast weather systems down to the village and panchayat level, with an improvement of nearly 64 per cent in prediction accuracy. Weather forecast for all Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the IMD, stated the launch is part of the Centre's initiative to make weather forecasts more accessible and beneficial for everyone. With the successful integration of this new system, India has become the only country to operate a global forecast system with such high resolution in real time. The system was officially handed over to the IMD by Minister of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, on Monday.
Barnama
21-05-2025
- Science
- Barnama
Dr Ravigadevi Becomes First Malaysian Elected To Royal Society
A Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Dr Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi - Credit: Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- A Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Dr Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, making her the first Malaysian scientist at the world's oldest and most prestigious scientific academy. It also marks a historic milestone for the country. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), in a statement today, said Ravigadevi will be officially inducted into the Society in London on July 11, 2025, where she will sign the Royal Society's historic Charter Book, a record that bears the signatures of scientific luminaries spanning more than three centuries. A pioneering biotechnologist, Ravigadevi was appointed a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) in 2010 and is currently the Chair of the Biological, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Discipline. She is also a Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences and a former Director of the Advanced Biotechnology and Breeding Centre at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), where she led transformative research in oil palm biochemistry and genomics. 'Her innovations have had a global impact, particularly in improving yield, resource efficiency and environmental sustainability. 'One of her most significant achievements was leading the team that decoded the oil palm genome, a major scientific breakthrough published in the prestigious journal Nature. This led to the discovery of the SHELL gene, which plays a key role in determining oil yield,' the statement read. The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chang Lih Kang, lauded the achievement, saying that Ravigadevi's election as the first Malaysian Fellow of the Royal Society marks a proud moment for the nation. 'This recognition is not only a personal triumph but also a symbol of what Malaysia stands for under the Malaysia MADANI framework, a nation that uplifts prosperity through knowledge and champions sustainability through innovation.
Borneo Post
19-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah strengthens labour laws to protect workers' rights
Mohd Hanafiah (seated right) and Mohd Asri (seated left) at the event. KOTA KINABALU (May 19): The Sabah State Government is taking a proactive approach to strengthen workers' rights through amendments to its labour laws, reflecting a firm commitment to international standards and fair employment practices. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Mohd Kassim, said the amendments underscore the government's determination to protect workers from abuse, including issues such as child labour and underpayment. 'All this is for the better — to ensure we provide protection against any form of abuse,' he said at the launch of the Sabah-Level 2025 Labour Legislation Transformation Programme held at Le Meridien today. He stressed that some sectors have been found to neglect basic rights, making it essential for the government to step in with clear legal protections. 'We are fine-tuning the laws so that they can be clearly understood by the people,' he added. Hanafiah highlighted that the transformation will be carried out in stages, with multiple platforms for engagement to ensure widespread awareness. While he acknowledged the state's push for industrial growth, he cautioned that it must not come at the expense of workers' rights. 'According to the Statistics Department, we are quite behind. However, catching up does not mean we can bypass rights that must be upheld. There is no shortcut,' he emphasized, adding that the effort involves cooperation from various bodies, including the National Wages Consultative Council and Cuepacs. The programme, he said, signals the government's commitment to ensuring labour reforms reach all levels of society — from policymakers to grassroots workers. He noted that shifts in employment trends, including digitalisation and work-life balance, demand timely updates to the legislation. 'With close cooperation between the government, employers and trade unions, we can build a fairer, more inclusive, and progressive employment ecosystem,' he said. As the workforce enters a new era shaped by digital transformation, social security and equity, Hanafiah asserted that legal frameworks must evolve to keep pace. 'I have been informed that several important amendments have been made to key acts such as the Sabah Labour Ordinance, the Industrial Relations Act and the Trade Unions Act, which now provide broader protection for workers,' he added. Given Sabah's diverse economic sectors — including agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and services — implementing inclusive and transparent labour policies is crucial. He welcomed the participation of all stakeholders to ensure every voice is heard in shaping these reforms. As Permanent Secretary, Hanafiah noted the role of innovation in reshaping the employment landscape and called for legislation that supports new forms of work in the digital economy, balancing productivity with well-being. 'I am confident that programmes such as this will strengthen understanding, encourage open dialogue and build collaborative networks across sectors,' he said, expressing hope for lasting benefits to Sabah's workforce and its socio-economic development. On the issue of workers' housing, Hanafiah noted that federal laws mandating minimum standards have yet to be enforced in Sabah. 'The law has not been enforced in Sabah yet,' he said, adding that stakeholder consultations are still ongoing. Meanwhile, Director General of Trade Unions, Mohd Asri Abdul Wahab, said the programme is a strategic collaboration involving the Trade Union Affairs Department , the National Wages Consultative Council, the Malaysian Industrial Relations Department and the Sabah Labour Department. He explained that the objective is to inform key stakeholders — including agencies, employers' associations and trade unions — about the implementation and enforcement of amendments to three key Acts: the Trade Unions Act 1959 (Amendment 2024), the Industrial Relations Act (Amendment 2020), and the Labour Ordinance Cap. 67 (Amendment 2025).
The Star
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia, Japan ink RM1.34bil green bioeconomy deals at Expo 2025 Osaka
Bioeconomy Corp chief executive officer Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Japan reached a new milestone in their green bioeconomy partnership with the signing of three strategic agreements worth RM1.34 billion on May 12 at Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan. In a statement today, Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corp) an agency of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) said the signing is in conjunction with launch of the MOSTI Week which is a step forward by both nations to drive the low-carbon and bio-based economy agenda, in line with global sustainability commitments. "The collaborations involve the development of renewable energy and the commercialisation of sustainable biotechnology products, aligning with the aspirations of the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 and global sustainability goals," it said. Bioeconomy Corp chief executive officer Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak said Japan's selection as Malaysia's strategic partner in innovation and technology reflects the strength of global cooperation to advance green economic growth and address global climate challenges. "Malaysia is proud to showcase the nation's bioeconomy potential to the global market through strategic collaborations such as this. "While leveraging Japan's expertise in green innovation, BioNexus status companies and those under the Bio-based Accelerator (BBA) programme are well positioned to drive transformation in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and biobased products," he said. The first agreement involved renewable energy company reNIKOLA Holdings Sdn Bhd and Japan's Sumitomo Corporation to explore a joint venture in developing renewable fuels. In the second agreement, Malaysia's bioenergy company MTC Orec Sdn Bhd and IHI Plant Services Corporation entered into a collaboration for the development of biogas technology in Southeast Asia. In the third case, BioNexus status company Glyken Bio Products Sdn Bhd signed a memorandum of agreement and supply contract with Japan's Respect Co Ltd for the distribution of its bird's nest glycopeptide-based products in the Japanese market. Mohd Khairul Fidzal said the collaborations also reflect the alignment between Malaysia's commitment to sustainable innovation and the theme of the expo, 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives'. "It's not just about accelerating market access and technology transfer, but also about creating opportunities for the joint development of solutions to address climate change, energy security and economic resilience," he said. - Bernama
