KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and Petrosains, The Discovery Centre, Kuala Lumpur (Petrosains) have joined hands to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning in Sarawak with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
The exchange of the MOU document between the two parties was witnessed by the Minister for Education, Science and Technological Research for Sarawak, Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, at Swinburne Sarawak on 15 November.
Representing Swinburne Sarawak was Professor John Wilson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and CEO, while Petrosains was represented by its CEO Fatimah Fedora Zulkifli.
Under the partnership, Swinburne Sarawak and Petrosains will jointly develop content and activities in STEM to encourage more students to participate in science and technology education as well gearing the community towards digital economy and adaptation of Industry 4.0.
As PETRONAS’ corporate social responsibility arm in the pillar of education, Petrosains has conducted numerous programs for students and the public to help promote STEM education in Sarawak. One of the latest is the travelling exhibition Petrosains DinoTrek2 which was opened to the public in May this year at the Kuching Civic Centre and will continue operating at the centre until the end of December 2018.
Swinburne Sarawak and Petrosains will work together to develop content and activity for STEM outreach programs in Sarawak that include awareness in science and technology subjects, and industry collaborations to impart 21st-century learning among students.
In addition, both organizations will jointly develop a new upskilling program in science communication for Petrosains Playsmart Kuching employees which could be extended to teachers in the future.
The exchange of the MOU took place during “Makers Meet”, an event jointly organized by Swinburne Sarawak and Petrosains to create interest in STEM among secondary school students.
About 600 students from 12 secondary schools in Kuching took part in the one-day event.
The activities included those in the field of engineering such as robotic coding and mechatronics, multimedia design, computing, physics and science that give the students hands-on experience.
Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong toured the busy activity area prior to departing the Australian university branch campus.