THE Penang government, through its several state agencies, has officially launched a specially-crafted learning programme known as STEM Future-Proofing (SFP) today.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the initiative involved the participation of three centres, namely Tech Dome Penang, Penang Math Platform, and Penang Skills Development Centre.
He said the objective was to provide Form Four students with an early start in their academic career in engineering and computer science.
“The SFP initiative, designed for academically-inclined students, will offer selected Form 4 students from chosen schools an incredible opportunity to undergo two years of foundation learning in either engineering or computer science.
“This invaluable preparation will serve as a head start and pave the way for their future tertiary education, with the ultimate goal of nurturing talented engineers in these fields.
“The SFP initiative also will be conducted free for interested students as it would be under corporate sponsorship.
“To ensure the success of this initiative, we are collaborating with corporate organisations that will adopt schools and provide sponsorship of RM30,000 per cohort per annum.
“I am pleased to announce that seven organisations have stepped forward as pioneer sponsors, pledging their support to sponsor 10 cohorts.
“These organisations are Inari Amertron, Pentamaster Corp, Analog Devices, Greatech Technology, Hotayi Electronic, Plexus Manufacturing and Shan Poornam Metals,” Chow said in his speech before launching the SFP initiative at UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College in Batu Kawan today.
Also present were Tech Dome Penang chief executive officer Khoo Boo Wooi, Penang STEM general manager Richard Chung and UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College vice-chancellor Prof Dr Chong Beng Keok.
Chow said he anticipated the participation of approximately 250 to 300 students from various schools in this pilot programme that is expected to start next month.
“This two-year programme also would be conducted as extra-curricular learning.
“It will be conducted in schools by qualified trainers from established institutions of higher learning using their existing modules.
“This approach also aims to ensure a seamless transition for students as they progress into their post-SPM diploma or degree studies,” he said.
During the same event, Chow also launched another programme known as the STEM Showcase 2023.
“The two-day event starting today until tomorrow is an ideal platform to introduce and prepare our next generation to meet the tremendous challenges, but vast opportunities that lie ahead under IR4.0 and the digital transformation.
“I also would like to congratulate Tech Dome Penang and Penang Math Platform for taking the lead in jointly organising the STEM Showcase 2023.
“Events like these are important to support the state’s endeavour to spark the interest of students in STEM learning.
“After all, we want to inspire more students to pursue academic studies and, subsequently, careers in STEM-related fields,” Chow said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis