The Shell NXplorers programme has been a transformative experience for alumnus Yiek Siew Hao (left) and programme mentor Siti Nazila Raihan Othman (right).
BECOMING a nation driven by innovation and inclusive growth has long been high on Malaysia’s list of ambitions.
The Education Ministry has been rolling out initiatives to increase student interest and participation in the STEM field to address Malaysia’s urgent need for more STEM talents in line with the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025.
Conglomerates are also doing their part to support this national agenda. This includes Shell with its Shell NXplorers programme, aimed at empowering and equipping students with STEM skills and knowledge to address real-world challenges related to food, water and energy.
Among them is Yiek Siew Hao, a 2022 Shell NXplorers alumnus from Bintulu, Sarawak, whose journey exemplifies how such programmes cultivate future leaders in STEM through a combination of hands-on learning methods.
The spark of curiosity
Yiek’s story began at the age of 14 as a student at SMK Bintulu, where he witnessed his seniors presenting their ideas for Shell NXplorers.
Fascinated by the ingenuity of their ideas, Yiek took a leap of faith and applied for the programme—a decision that began his three-year journey with Shell NXplorers.
During the programme, he worked on projects linked to food, water and energy – a process that was carefully guided by programme mentors such as Siti Nazila Raihan Othman, a school teacher from SMK Aminuddin Baki, Kuala Lumpur.
Mentors like her work closely with students to refine their ideas and proposals before projects begin, ensuring objectives are met.
This guidance is key. “Sometimes, the ideas can be too ambitious or too simplistic,” Siti explained.
Yiek came up with numerous ideas he believed could help solve real-world issues. These became the driving force behind the different projects he and his team would work on each year, each lasting three to four months—from ideation to prototype.
However, their third-year project, a smart parking system app designed to help drivers find parking spaces quickly and easily, was the most memorable.
Inspired by the struggle he and his mother faced finding parking in Bintulu, the app went on to earn him and his team the 2022 National Champion title.
Yiek is currently pursuing his A-Levels at Kolej Yayasan UEM.
Beyond technical skills
While the programme served as a launchpad for Yiek to explore the practical side of STEM, its impact extended far beyond technical learning.
“Before joining Shell NXplorers, I wasn’t as aware of my surroundings. But afterwards, I started to realise the small things and the issues happening around me,” Yiek reflected.
This newfound awareness, however, came with its own set of challenges.
Yiek learned how to manage his time on top of schoolwork, extracurricular activities, friends and family.
More importantly, he discovered what it meant to lead, collaborate and rally a team toward a shared goal.
These skills were put to the test during the project development process.
“Every year, we came up with many ideas, and conflicts naturally arose. We had to narrow them down to one, which meant doing a lot of research.
“We even interviewed a parking lot manager to better understand the issue before finalising our project direction,” recalled Yiek.
From a mentor’s perspective, Siti sees these transformative experiences as proof of the programme’s success in giving students the knowledge and exposure they wouldn’t find in a typical classroom.
With a strong passion for STEM and student empowerment, she believes these experiences will prepare them for university while building confidence and skills such as collaboration, creativity and problem-solving.
The programme’s real strength, she added, is its support system—dedicated mentors and resources that drive continuous self-learning while enhancing the nation’s STEM curriculum.
Yiek (second from left) and his teammates pictured with Shell Malaysia former chairman and senior vice president Ivan Tan (far left) and corporate relations general manager Cindy Lopez (far right) at the Shell NXplorers Malaysia 2022 National Final, where Yiek’s team was crowned champion.
A two-way transformation
For teachers considering becoming mentors, Siti noted that the programme pushes educators out of their comfort zones.
She gained valuable experience beyond regular teaching, such as organising STEM programmes. The personal transformation has been profound.
“Before this, I was an introverted person. But now, I can stand among strangers to give talks,” she said proudly.
But mentoring comes with its challenges too—chief among them is keeping students motivated when they reach crossroads and feel like giving up.
As a full-time secondary school teacher, juggling both roles hasn’t been easy, but she credits the strong support of her colleagues for helping her manage the tight schedule.
Siti has been actively involved in the Shell NXplorers programme since 2017.
Making STEM relevant
As Malaysia works to build a skilled workforce, challenges in local STEM education continue to slow progress.
Yiek said one of the biggest hurdles is making STEM relevant and accessible, as students often struggle to see its connection to their daily lives when it is taught too abstractly.
He believes that STEM education should go beyond rote memorisation, focusing instead on cultivating problem-solving mindsets that can tackle global challenges.
“With a more hands-on approach, students would better understand how to apply these skills in their daily lives. With that, the process is much more meaningful and powerful,” remarked Yiek.
For Yiek, this approach matters because STEM provides tools to improve critical thinking and innovation skills—skills everyone needs regardless of their fields.
Putting ideas into action
Drawing inspiration from his engineer father, Yiek encourages others to seek out opportunities and stresses the importance of curiosity.
“You can try to seek out opportunities, and the best part is that you don't have to do this alone.
“You can find a friend who's like-minded like you and start a passion project anytime, anywhere.
“Together, I believe that we can make a positive impact on our own community,” said Yiek.
As a Shell scholar, Yiek experienced many firsts—like travelling solo—that taught him independence and responsibility.
Beyond financial aid, the scholarship gave him opportunities to meet like-minded people while supporting his dream to study abroad.
Yiek is currently pursuing passion projects like ‘EssayGuide: SPM Essays, Notes’—a mobile app that helps students improve their essays, and the Malaysian Student Initiative, which guides secondary schoolers to scholarships and academic opportunities.
“My advice is to start now. Sometimes, we might be waiting for the best time to start, but it's not tomorrow or yesterday—it's today,” said Yiek.
