USM PENANG, 16 January 2023 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) via the USM School of Communication today held the finale of the STEM it up! Campaign organised by the School’s Persuasive Communication Final-Year Students 2022/23 in collaboration with Shell MDS (M) Sdn. Bhd.

With the aim to break negative stereotypes and misconceptions regarding subjects in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) among Malaysians, the STEM it up! Campaign was meant to create and increase the awareness regarding STEM education and career opportunities specifically among students aged 13 to 22 years old, parents, and those who are seeking jobs in STEM-related fields.

Various projects have been conducted and the whole campaign was carried out for 2 months with selected secondary schools, along with the USM Engineering Campus, which included activities such as the STEM Challenge, STEM Xplore and STEM Quest.

The event also showcased four main STEM exhibitions consisting of Penang STEM, Penang Math Platform, WAU Rocketry USM, and Pusat Sains Negara, along with three other exhibitors, namely American Chemical Society USM International Student Chapter, Tech Dome Penang and USM School of the Arts, which were introduced for the students to explore and to know more about STEM.

Present at the closing ceremony was the Director of Industry and Community Collaboration Division, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, Dato’ Mohamad Sharil Abdullah, who also officiated the closing ceremony of STEM it up!.

Mohamad Sharil in his speech said that the collaboration with Shell MDS will help STEM graduates to choose their path in the industry when they graduate soon with the opportunity given to everyone through this campaign and therefore, this collaboration can help to ensure the marketability and employability of future generation.

“I believe the STEM it up! Campaign has been executed successfully as an effort to produce more skilled practitioners in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in order to change the perceived stereotypes around STEM education or field,” he said.

According to USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor Student Development Affairs and Alumni, in representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman, USM really emphasises the development of students in all fields, including research and technology.

“Congratulations to the team for organising such an impactful STEM it up! Campaign, on breaking stereotypes regarding STEM, in creating the valuable perspectives and efforts that we can depend on in planning for future STEM education and also for collaborating with a well-known organisation such as Shell,” said Azlinda.

Meanwhile, the Human Resource Manager, Shell MDS (M.) Sdn. Bhd, Adrian Saba on behalf of its Vice-President, Amir Bakar said that, he hoped that the final-year students of Persuasive Communication who organised the programme have acquired the experience not only on the subject itself, but also in working as a team, with the community, government agencies and also corporate bodies.

“Thank you in having the resilience and persistence, as your effort might inspire the next generation of engineers, doctors, scientists and innovators,” he added.

Following that, the programme Project Director, Rayane Mok Roc Tsen in his speech said, “in achieving their goals and objectives, the STEM it up! campaign organised various events and activities through a hybrid execution of both physical and online platforms.”

Rayane added by saying, “it is hoped that the programme would be able to empower the audiences in order to create a stronger impact on Malaysia’s transition to IR4.0, because equipping students with 21st-century skills encourages an appreciation for technology and reinforces its importance in our lives.”

Also present were the Dean, USM School of Communication, Associate Professor Dr. Bahiyah Omar; Corporate Relations Manager Shell MDS (M.) Sdn. Bhd., Adriana Jute; Head of National Science Centre, Northern Region Branch, Hafizul Hanif Abu Bakar; General Manager, Penang STEM Sdn. Bhd., Richard Chung; Chief Executive Officer, Tech Dome Penang, Khoo Boo Wooi; Advisor of STEM it up! Campaign, Dr. Suriati Saad; and principal officers of the university.

Text: Nur Farrah Ezlin Mohd Suhaimi/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md Isa