Shell Introduces Stem Initiative At Scat Fair 2017
Mar 03, 2017
Shell has taken the initiative to focus on STEM in hopes that early exposure will influence students to take an early interest in fields like engineering, coding, automation and the likes, which will uplift the numbers of STEM graduates that will help meet national targets and aspirations.
Kuching, SARAWAK – Shell today announced plans to develop the capacity of Malaysian students in the area of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The energy company’s STEM education initiative, also known as the Shell STEM Immersion program is aimed at raising interest and increasing talent pool in STEM among youths, thus encouraging the increase in Malaysian engineering graduates who will foster innovative sustainable ideas to progress the future of the country.
The announcement was made on the back of a symbolic MOU exchange event between the State Workforce Development Unit (WDU), TEGAS and six collaborators, including Shell.
According to the Science and Technology Human Capital Report and Science Outlook 2015 by Akademi Sains Malaysia, the country will face a shortage of human capital in the science field due to the country’s inability to meet the target of 60% of students enrolled into the science stream in secondary schools. To date the number stands at less than 45%.
Speaking at the SCaT 2017 earlier today, “STEM skills are the lifeblood of this country’s high-tech industries, supporting growth and giving us the competitive edge. The State Government has outlined key steps to strengthen the delivery of STEM across the education system in Sarawak. It has stepped up efforts to engage and work with non-governmental bodies and industries who champion STEM for the progress of the state and nation. We believe that only through partnership can we equip Sarawak educators to properly deliver STEM education and bridge the STEM divide between the more urban and rural areas of Sarawak. We want to acknowledge Shell especially, for partnering with us right from the start to bring SCaT and opportunities to the state,” said Dr Abdul Rahman Deen, Director of State Workforce Development Unit, Department of Chief Minister Sarawak.
Last year, to mark its 125th anniversary in Malaysia, Shell announced it will focus on powering innovation and competitiveness to fuel Malaysia’s future. It has committed to invest RM 125 million over the next 10 years to fund Malaysian talent innovation and competitiveness initiatives that will further catalyse and spur economic growth.
Shell have taken the initiative to focus on STEM in hopes that early exposure will influence students to take an early interest in fields like engineering, coding, automation and the likes, which will uplift the numbers of STEM graduates that will help meet national targets and aspirations.
“Science and engineering is at the heart of our business and critical to economic and social progress. Our aim is to contribute to the numbers of STEM graduates and see today’s Malaysian students lead discoveries in STEM on the world stage tomorrow. We believe that this begins at the classroom, that is why we are investing in our youths, equipping them with the right skills and tools, and developing future innovators and engineers via our STEM initiative,” said Datuk Iain Lo, Country Chairman of Shell Malaysia who was also present at SCaT Fair 2017.
The Shell STEM initiative will kick off with a pilot program across 15 schools nationwide, starting with five schools in Sarawak (two in Miri, two in Bintulu, and one in Kuching).
About Shell STEM Immersion Program
The Shell STEM Immersion Program aimed to develop students of today into innovators of tomorrow. In the 2017 pilot, the program is opened to Form 1 and Form 2 students at participating schools. It will focus on developing creative innovation in the area of coding and automated engineering. The Shell STEM Immersion Program consists of three modules:
- Year 1 – Embedded System: Students complete a series of projects using Arduino and C programming leading to designing their very own embedded system. Students will have the opportunity to experiment with various sensors (for eg: PIR sensors, ultrasonic sensors, temperature sensors, and microphones) and actuators (eg: servo motors, LCDs, relays, speakers and LEDs).
- Year 2 – Mobile Apps: Student participants will learn to apply computer programming to design creative and useful mobile applications with a wide range of sensors and communication links used in mobile devices such as GPS, touch screen, accelerometer, camera, NFC, WiFi and Bluetooth.
- Year 3 – 3D Structure: Students design sculptures and geometric objects using a 3D design software before printing their final creation on the 3D printer. They experience both the digital creation and 3D printing processes.
For further Media Enquiries, please contact:
EEVON CHUNG
Head of Media Relations & Issues Management, Shell Malaysia
Email: eevon.chung@shell.com
About Shell www.shell.com.my
Shell is a global leader in power, energy, and gas technology and is working to meet increasing energy demand and supply challenges by delivering smarter products and cleaner energy, infrastructure, and by developing new energy sources while addressing the impact on the environment. Malaysia is one of Shell’s heartlands. The history of Royal Dutch Shell in Malaysia started more than 120 years in Miri, Sarawak. Shell currently has a strong market presence in the upstream and downstream sector in Malaysia.