Daro: The M3 Workshop Programme (Motivation Friendly Mathematics) was held on 23 – 24 September 2022, involving 89 Form 5 students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Semop, Daro who will be sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Examination in March 2023. This program is jointly organised between Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus under the management of the Department of Science and Technology, Faculty of Humanities, Management and Science (FKPS) and the Malaysian Society of Agricultural and Food Engineer – Student Chapter UPM Bintulu" (MSAE-SC UPM Bintulu); and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Semop which is managed by the Science and Mathematics Committee and the Guidance & Counseling Unit. The programme also received full support from the Parent Teachers Association (PIBG), SMK Semop. The program was chaired by Mr. Trump. Mohammad Latif Rapili who is a participant in the National Education Leaders Professional Qualification Programme or "National Professional Qualification for Educational Leaders" (NPQEL) with the joint supervision of Dr. Juniza Md Saad from UPM Bintulu Campus and Pn. Norliza Azman at SMK Semop. A total of 21 delegates from UPM Bintulu Campus including 10 students/i (representatives of MSAE-SC UPM Bintulu) who are also students of the Diploma in Agricultural Engineering programme participated in this programme.

The M3 Workshop (Mathematically Friendly Motivation) themed "Dare to Achieve" is one of the programmes planned in the M3 Intervention Project (Melek Polishing Mathematics) to address the issue of achievement of students who are still low in Mathematics subjects especially for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia Examination. The students at SMK Semop seem to be very foreign and afraid of the Mathematics subjects. While sitting the Maths test pupils are easily desperate and unable to answer the test questions as in their minds there is a perception that Mathematics is difficult.

Among the motivational topics and Mathematics skills that have been shared by the speakers for the students are "Math is Fun" and "Mathematics SPM". In both sessions, students were exposed to the importance of Mathematics in everyday life and the need to continue their studies in higher learning institutions (IPT), the technique of answering math exam questions in SPM as well as the importance of calculators and their uses. In addition, mathematics games were also held to attract students to Mathematics and to reject the perception of the students that Mathematics is difficult and it is fun to learn. Spiritual and physical dining was also emphasized through the sessions "Self-Knowledge Adventure" and "Morning Leisure". It is hoped that the conduct of this workshop will help to increase the motivation and self-confidence of the students in the Mathematics subjects, thus raising interest and changing their perception of these subjects.

Thank you and appreciation to SMK Semop, Daro under the supervision of the Principal, Encik Abdul Gani Sibli who has given great cooperation and commitment to the success of this program. It is hoped that the collaboration and networking between the university and external agencies such as this can be continued to strengthen the nation's human capital.

Date of Input: 29/09/2022 | Updated: 29/09/2022 | lanz