KUALA LUMPUR: A mobile version of the National Science Centre has reached out and benefited some 100,000 students, including those in the rural areas since it was launched last month.
Energy, Science, Technology, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said the mobile science centre programme was introduced by the government as a solution to resolve the waning interest among students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
The ministry, she said, is aiming to reach out to another 300,000 students by November this year.
“Previously, we only had a National Science Centre in Kuala Lumpur, which is quite far and costly for students at schools in rural areas to visit.
“To address this problem, we are bringing the mobile version of the centre to them to create interest among rural school students on the importance of STEM.
“For the country to move forward, Malaysia needs more talents, especially in the digital world.
“Hence, the government is encouraging more of our students take up STEM and master the required skills including coding to achieve such a vision,” she said after attending a panel session at the #mydigitalmaker Fair 2019 here today.
She also said apart from STEM, it was also important for students to master the English language.
“I have met students attending schools in rural areas and their command of the English language is excellent.
“That is why the government has always stressed the importance of English so that students can better excel in Science and Technology field,” she said.