TECH Dome Penang has reached a major milestone with the announcement of a special collaboration with the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, the world’s largest astronomy museum.
Through this strategic partnership, Tech Dome Penang will roll out the AstroXplore 2026 programme, a special initiative focused on strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, particularly in the fields of astronomy and space science.
Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo described the collaboration as a landmark step in advancing astronomy education and fostering international knowledge exchange.
“Through this collaboration, the public will be offered an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience, enabling visitors to explore the Shanghai Astronomy Museum virtually.
“In addition, a series of exclusive astronomy workshops adapted directly from the museum’s original programmes will be delivered locally. These sessions will provide participants with authentic, world-class learning experiences without the need to travel abroad,” Jagdeep told a press conference at Komtar today.
Also present were Jagdeep’s special adviser J. Philip Vincent and Tech Dome Penang’s senior marketing and communications manager, Oun Sui Leng.
Jagdeep added that the project will be officially launched on Jan 29 and will run for a duration of three months.
“This initiative reflects a shared commitment to enriching public access to high-quality science education while positioning Malaysia as a hub for global learning experiences in astronomy,” he said.
On a related note, Jagdeep highlighted Tech Dome Penang’s pivotal role in advancing STEM education and public engagement in science since its establishment.
“To date, the centre has delivered 4,837 STEM activities, directly engaging 683,949 participants and welcoming more than 1.45 million visitors, reflecting sustained public interest and confidence in its programmes.
“In 2025 alone, Tech Dome Penang organised 404 STEM activities, benefiting 73,949 participants excluding large-scale national initiatives such as AI Horizon and attracted 100,185 visitors.
“These achievements underscore Tech Dome Penang’s strong institutional capacity to deliver high-impact, inclusive and scalable STEM outreach, supporting Penang’s vision of becoming a smart, innovative and future-ready state,” Jagdeep added.
Story by Riadz Akmal