GEORGE TOWN: There is a shortage of students taking science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses at university level.
Universiti Sains Malaysia vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Asma Ismail said that to gain entry into such courses students had to first complete Additional Mathematics in school as required by the Engineering Board.
“We are facing a lack for engineering students. Although for this year, USM’s engineering student intake is full, other universities lact engineering students.
“While we are happy with the intake for this year. For the coming years, I have no idea because supply drops each year and I think it will be a problem for all unless it is addressed at school level,” she said after the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturer (FMM) and USM CEO Forum 2019 at the USM main campus here today.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who opened the forum, said the supply of STEM students was from schools, and as such, it was important that they received their grounding as early as primary and secondary levels.
“That is why the Penang government is promoting STEM education at school level through various initiatives.
“We are trying to promote interest in STEM though programmes in the Penang Science Cluster, Tech Dome and even coding classes.
“We can create their interest for STEM at an early age so that the supply can keep coming to university and then to the industry,” he said.
Asma said USM also organised various programmes to promote interest in STEM courses among high school students.
Citing an example, Asma said with USM’s markers competition, students were asked to come up with a solution to real life problems faced by industry players.
“That is what life is all about now...we want to generate that kind of interest, so high school students know what is expected of them
“We are hoping the things we do to generate interest will be realised through numbers,” she said.
On bettering their courses to provide skilful graduates, Asma said USM was also listening to industry players to adapt their curriculum to meet the necessary changes and modifications.
“This will allow our curriculum to be much more industry-led, especially because of where USM is located. There is a need for us to move Penang as a manufacturing hub and a Silicone Valley of the East,” she said.