Kuala lumpur: Cultivating a culture of creativity and shifting society's tendency from being mere passive users to active contributors in shaping the digital and technology revolution is among the nation's key objectives, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. He emphasized that a creative and innovative nation would be able to provide an environment and infrastructure that stimulates creativity, thereby encouraging the development of more advanced systems, products, ideas, and processes.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadillah highlighted the importance of nurturing science, technology, and innovation (STI) from an early age. He suggested that programs like the National Science Week (MSN) should be integrated into the primary education system to foster creativity and critical thinking. Such programs should be rooted in cultural diversity and involve young people in technology hubs and prototype labs, including robotics and 3D printing.
Fadillah also pointed out the crucial role of STI in the nation's future, mentioning that research agencies under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) are exploring new technologies, such as electricity generation from hydrogen through solid-state technology in the Hydrogen Hyper Reactor. He noted that nuclear technologies are already being used safely in sectors like medicine, agriculture, and food preservation, highlighting innovations like resilient nuclear rice.
The Deputy Prime Minister underscored the MADANI Government's commitment to developing talent in science, technology, engineering, and innovation (STEM). He stressed the need to produce more local professionals to achieve the goal of a high-technology nation by 2030. He cited the positive response to this year's MSN as evidence of the program's role in complementing the existing school curriculum with out-of-classroom STI learning through hands-on and interactive approaches.
Fadillah called for continuous efforts from MOSTI, the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), and private-sector partners to strengthen the National STEM Agenda, particularly for children and school students. He expressed hope that programs like MSN would inspire students nationwide to pursue science and technology.
The MSN 2025 Tour spans nationwide, from Borneo to Peninsular Malaysia, aligning activities with the theme "Democratising Science, Humanising Technology, Mainstreaming Innovation." It includes carnival, expedition, and sponsorship approaches across six main locations, involving 40 parliamentary constituencies, 47 schools, and 452 educators and trainee teachers. The program features innovation competitions, technology exhibitions, and STEM workshops.
MSN 2025 also fosters 136 strategic collaborations among government agencies, educational institutions, communities, NGOs, and industry. These efforts aim to ensure STI is continuously cultivated, with 23 STEM Kits and 17 sponsorship programs increasing STI literacy and student interest in STEM to over 80 percent. These initiatives strengthen the role of science centers, schools, and communities as catalysts for scientific thinking and national economic prosperity.