GEORGE TOWN: Fifteen students with keen interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) from B40 families left for an education exchange programme in Japan to boost their academic and personal development.
They are part of a programme dubbed the Innovative Hybrid Education & International Experience Programme (HEIEP) 2024 by USAINS Group and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
Among the students was Lim Rou En, 15, from SMK Sungai Nibong, who aspires to be a doctor.
“I’m glad to be in this programme to learn more from a foreign country and to get to know their people. This is my first time travelling overseas and I hope to gain as much knowledge as possible,” she said.
Lim, who is the eldest of three siblings, was seen off by her mother Ng Theng Lee, 35, at the Penang International Airport yesterday.
Another participant, Arisa Daniella Azly, 15, from SMK Dato’ Haji Hassan Noh, said she had never dreamt of going to Japan or even on a flight.
“This is my first time on a flight and I am super excited,” she said.
The teenager hopes to bring back the knowledge gained in Japan to be shared with her school.
Sofiah Abdul Razak, 51, was beaming with pride as her 15-year-old son Syahdan Norezan was picked for the programme.
“This is the first time he is travelling overseas for an education trip and we are proud of him.
“He has always dreamt of being a forensics investigator or a scientist, and we hope this programme will spur his passion further,” she said.
The students were selected from different schools in Penang through the recommendation of the state Education Department and after passing interviews.
They will be spending a week at various places in Japan, mainly in schools and universities, where they will learn about the culture and participate in educational programmes related to STEM.
The initiative aims at transforming middle and high-school education by combining hybrid learning with immersive international experiences, according to a statement by USM yesterday.
USAINS managing director Farid Wajidi Mat Yusoff said the programme embodies unwavering commitment to democratising access to quality education.
“By focusing on under-represented communities, we aim to ignite a passion for learning and innovation in the next generation of leaders,” he said.
