Kuala lumpur: Sabah aims to establish a network of 25 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Centres throughout the state as a strategic move to become the main hub of STEM education in East Malaysia. The Sabah Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in a statement today announced that the intention was expressed by its Minister Datuk James Ratib after hearing the presentation of the proposal for the establishment of the Sabah STEM Centre by the director of the Universiti Malaya STEM Centre, Professor Dr Mas Sahidayana Mokhtar, and the president of the National STEM Association, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Noraini Idris, at the STEM Empowerment Meeting here on Monday.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the proposal paper presented recommended the establishment of a Sabah STEM Centre in Kota Kinabalu as the state headquarters as well as 24 branches throughout Sabah to expand access to STEM education, especially to students in rural and remote areas. 'The project is estimated to require a total investment of RM195 million, comprising RM75 million for the development of the Sabah STEM Centre headquarters in Kota Kinabalu and RM120 million for the 24 district STEM centre branches,' according to the statement.
The proposal paper also stated that the network of centres would be a catalyst for talent development in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, drones, programming, the Internet of Things (IoT), green technology, and innovation in line with the needs of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, the digital economy and the aspirations of Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ). According to the statement, the Sabah STEM Centre is proposed in Kota Kinabalu to house various facilities including the STEM Teacher Training Academy, AI Lab, Robotics Lab, Drone Lab, Digital Fabrication Lab, Makerspace, Student Startup Incubator, Science Exhibition Centre, Digital Studio, and Sabah STEM Data Centre.
Meanwhile, each District STEM Centre is proposed to be equipped with modern learning facilities such as AI labs, robotics, drones, programming, electronics, IoT, 3D printing, multimedia studio, Makerspace, virtual reality room (VR/AR), and mini science gallery. The proposal also outlines the implementation of various talent development programmes, including the Sabah Robotics Championship, Sabah Drone Challenge, Sabah AI Challenge, Digital Maker Festival, Science Camp, Girls in STEM, Green Technology Programme, Space Science Programme, Junior Engineer Programme, and AI for Kids.
Within five years, the project targets the participation of 500,000 students, training of 20,000 teachers in STEM pedagogy, production of 10,000 innovation projects, organisation of 500 STEM competitions, establishment of 100 strategic industry partners, and development of 500 student technology start-ups.