Together for STEM: (From left) Seri Kembangan assemblywoman Wong Siew Ki, Prof Faidz, Prof Azlinda, Ida, Prof Lee and UTAR Education Foundation board of trustees chairman Tan Sri Dr Sak Cheng Lum at KLESF 2024.
Collaboration among all sectors is crucial to foster science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) interest among students, says Higher Education director general Prof Datuk Dr Azlinda Azman.
Speaking at the opening of the Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF) 2024, she highlighted the economic significance of STEM education in driving innovation, creating new industries and generating high-paying jobs.
Jointly organised by Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), the Asean Academy of Engineering and Technology, the Institution of Engineers Malaysia, the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), the Malaysian Invention and Design Society, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) and the Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM), KLESF 2024 was held at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Selangor from Nov 8 to 10.
Also present at the opening of the event were TAR UMT president Prof Datuk Dr Lee Sze Wei, UTAR vice president (R&D and Commercialisation) and KLESF co-chairman Prof Dr Faidz Abd Rahman, and MIGHT chief operating officer Ida Semurni Abdullah Ali.
Prof Faidz said KLESF played an important part in sparking curiosity and promoting STEM engagement, awareness and excitement among young minds amid the declining interest among students.
Participants had the opportunity to engage in astronomical observations using telescopes at the booth by the Astronomical Society of Chung Hua High School, Seremban.
Urging students to embrace lifelong learning, Prof Lee said every activity at KLESF developed future-defining skills.
“KLESF showcases real-world STEM applications through hands-on experiments and creative projects,” he said in a press release.
Emphasising the country’s STEM achievements, Ida said Malaysian information and communication technology, engineering, mathematics, and natural sciences graduates are globally recognised.
“Events like KLESF nurture skills and inspire dreams, showcasing boundless possibilities,” she said.
KLESF 2024 featured a wide range of activities, bringing together over 330 local and international student teams from countries like Indonesia, China, the Philippines and Myanmar to showcase their innovative STEM projects.The event also featured student performances and storytelling competitions, as well as interactive workshops, games, talks and industry exhibitions offering practical hands-on experiences in drone simulations, three-dimensional printing, coding and robotics.
Earlier, the Mind and STEM Festival 2024 was held from Oct 23 to 24 at SMJK Chan Wa in Negri Sembilan.
Organised by UTAR and the MMLM in collaboration with KLESF, the event aimed to inspire curiosity, promote STEM education and advance mental literacy in the artificial intelligence (AI) era.This year’s festival, themed “Brain and Bytes: Nurturing Minds in the AI Age”, featured workshops, hands-on activities, and mental literacy talks designed to cultivate an interest in STEM fields and enhance cognitive abilities.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Prof Lee said mind literacy is essential, especially in an era where AI shapes the world.
“By cultivating human intelligence, we can harness the power of AI more effectively and responsibly,” he said.
Prof Lee also urged students to consider furthering their studies in STEM.Prof Faidz, who was also present in Seremban, said STEM is a crucial driver of innovation, sustainability, and solutions to global challenges.
Whether it’s tackling climate change, advancing healthcare or developing smarter cities, STEM provides the tools and solutions for a better tomorrow, he added.
“We hope events like this will inspire more young minds to pursue careers in STEM and help Malaysia continue its progress as a nation that embraces the digital economy and AI advancements,” said Prof Faidz.
One of the key attractions of the festival was the STEM Project Showcase, where students presented innovative STEM projects to demonstrate their creativity and technical prowess.
