PENANG, November 2015 - The Youth Industry Bootcamp (YIB), organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) together with Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science & Technology (CREST), Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), was aimed at providing exposure to secondary school students to industry that is based on science and technology. 

According to the President of ASM, Tan Sri Datuk Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali, YIB was in line with the mission of ASM in instilling the awareness in students and youths, for them to continue their studies and be involved in the field of science and technology. 

“I hope that YIB could provide the exposure to the students on career opportunities in this field, which is essential for the development of the country, as well as in opening the minds of the students and encouraging them to pursue their ambitions in this field,” said Ahmad Tajuddin. 

“This YIB platform could become a ‘bridge’ between the school students and the industry and to develop talents for the future,” said the Campus Director of SAINS@USM, Professor Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed. 

Among the industries involved were Altera Corporation, B. Braun Medical Industries Sdn. Bhd, Intel Technology Sdn. Bhd., OSRAM Opto Semiconductors (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Molex (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd and Vitrox Technologies Sdn Bhd. 

“CREST along with the other partners involved were thrilled with the organisation of YIB for the first time, which initially started with only one school, and now has spread throughout the northern region,” said the CEO of CREST, Jaffri Ibrahim. 

A participant of YIB, who is in Form 3 at Sekolah Menengah Islam Tahfiz Al-Amin Perak,  Ahmad Muttaqin Abdul Rahim said, he would take advantage of the bootcamp to further understand the field of science and technology as he is deeply interested in the area of robotics. 

“I hope to gain as much experience as possible from various quarters including USM and also the industry which have long been involved in such field,” added Ahmad Muttaqin.

The same goes for a Form 4 student from Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) Beseri in Perlis, Thirshamytra Ragu Rajan who is also interested in the area of robotics. 

“I hope that YIB could broaden my mind in understanding the field of science and technology, as well as to assist me in choosing the areas I am truly interested in to further my studies at the higher levels,” the student said. 

YIB, being organised for the first time, has received overwhelming response with 135 Form 3 and 4 students participating in the programme, coming from schools in the northern states of Kedah, Perlis, Perak and Penang. 

The three-day programme provided exposure to the students in various areas of science and technology including Electrical and Electronics, Research and Innovation as well as the production of prototypes resulting from researches. 

Teks: Nor Rafizah Md Zain

Foto: Zamani Abdul Rahim