UMP STEM Carnival inculcates culture of scientific, creative and innovative thinking

PEKAN, 5 October 2022 - The organisation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Carnival attracted more than 1,000 students from schools around Pahang to participate in various programmes based on integrated learning in the field of STEM to enhance competitiveness in the field of science and technology to school students.

According to the Chairman of the UMP Board of Directors, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, STEM education is a priority for schools and universities towards dignifying and strengthening the field for the younger generation in the future.

“STEM education also emphasises the concept 4C components of communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking as embodied in the 21st century learning (PAK-21) as well as higher-order thinking skills (HOTS).

“The development of this component is seen to produce a younger generation with high skills in solving complex problems.

“The world today is facing an Industrial Revolution 4.0 that requires a generation of highly knowledgeable and capable of facing new, more complex technological challenges,” he said.

He further explained that UMP implemented various programmes in an effort to increase young talent in the fields of artificial intelligence, big data, robotics, coding, drones and also in the field of new technologies.

“This STEM field is a technology-centric field of knowledge and this programme can inculcate the value of technology, oversee applications and nurture curiosity about the creation of an innovation,” he said when officiating the UMP STEM Carnival 2022 at the Multipurpose Hall, UMP Pekan.

He also appreciated UMP’s commitment to implementing STEM programmes and producing research that could contribute technology for the community.

Also present at the programme were the UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs of Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia, IBM Corporation, Hasnul Nadzrin Shah Abdul Halim Shah, Chief Assistant Director (Student Talent Development) of Pahang State Education Department, Mohd Shapie Meon, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Rosli Hainin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr. Kamal Zuhairi Zamli, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Rusllim Mohamed and Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Industrial and Community Collaboration Division) Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Nurul Hazlina Noordin.

Meanwhile, Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie said that in this modern era, the development of technology is always taking place in life.

“In line with UMP as a university based on engineering and technology, UMP sees STEM as the best platform to empower this agenda to attract the younger generation and thus make UMP the preferred institution to continue their studies,” he said.

He appreciated the commitment of public universities (UA) among the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN), Pahang State Education Department and industries from Motorola Solutions Foundation, IBM Malaysia, Air Asia Drone and Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

The other parties involved were the Malaysian Civil Defence Force Pahang, UNESCO Information for All Program, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as well as government and private agencies in realising programmes to provide exposure and deepen STEM knowledge.

The carnival, which will take place throughout October at UMP, will provide opportunities for students to participate in the IoT Farm, Treasure Hunt, SD Modelling and Printing, Drone Assembly Workshop, STEM Digital Storytelling, Alarm@UMP, Underwater Robotics, Robotics With Lego and many more.

There is also an innovation exhibition for school students, teachers and the public.

By: Mimi Rabita Abdul Wahit, Corporate Communications Division, Chancellery Department 

Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty Of Chemical And Process Engineering Technology