OFFICIAL: Talib (third left) activated the inauguration application of the STEM Putra Programme as witnessed by (from left) Tero, Dr. Maulana, Prof. Dr. Bujang and Prof. Dr. Jayum.

BINTULU: Skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are very important to seize employment opportunities in relevant industry sectors in the future.

Minister in the Chief Minister's Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) and Jepak State Assemblyman Datuk Talib Zulpilip said that today's economy is highly dependent on STEM.

“In any factory (operations), they are more centred on STEM. For example, a computer chip manufacturing factory in Kuching requires more than 400 engineers specialising in electronics, electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering compared to a company with a small workforce of accountants, economists or human resources,” he said.

He said this while officiating the Putra STEM @ UPMKB Programme at the Central Lecture Hall 2A in Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus (UPMB) yesterday.

Thus, Talib said the industry needs more engineers, and job patterns and salaries will also change over the next 20 years.

“The first priority is for the progress of the country and the second, for our own career progressions as the future of the world is with STEM,” he added.

Talib also recalls a time when his generation was not only lagging behind in education, but also in the economic field.

“In general, high-paying jobs are based on technology, engineering and mathematics. We need to bring the younger generation to choose and to cultivate their interest in STEM for the sake of the country and their future,” he said.

In this regard, he hopes the program will continue, and the children of today's generation need to think of their best options for the future.

Meanwhile, UPMKB Campus Director Professor Dr. Bujang Kim Huat said, Putra STEM @ UPMKB had been organised before and this time the program has been held more orderly and comprehensive.

He said, this programme is not only focused primarily on the communities, schools and students in the Bintulu district, but seeks to reach out to nearby divisions such as Sibu, Miri and others.

He said the education system in Malaysia is undergoing a comprehensive transformation process in line with the Malaysian Education Development Plan 2013-2025 where one of the main initiatives of the plan was the strengthening of STEM education.

“So continuous efforts in inculcating STEM among students are very important because the latter are innovators in the future.”

“Innovative countries are able to improve the daily life of its people and competitiveness in the international economic landscape.”

“UPM is ranked the 132nd best university in the world for the QS 2021 ranking as well as the 2nd best university in the country.”

“It is an achievement that we are all very proud not of the contribution of an individual, but covering the entire campus community, students and support from all parties,” he said.

Therefore, he said, school leavers are expected to continue their studies at UPMKB as a starting point to jointly enliven the STEM programme.

Also present were UPMKB Head of Corporate Strategy and Communication Office cum programme director Dr. Mohammad Maulana Magiman, Dean (Faculty of Humanities, Management and Science) UPMKB Prof. Dr. Jayum Jawan and Bintulu District Deputy Education Officer Mr. Tero Bayel.

The programme was attended by students of SK Orang Kaya Mohammad, SK Bintulu, SK Asyakirin, SK Agama Majlis Islam Sarawak Bintulu, SK Sungai Tisang and SK Jepak.

Date of Input: 22/08/2020 | Updated: 02/11/2020 | lanz