PERMATANG PAUH: Penang remains committed to driving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as a critical element to develop a high-tech state by 2030.
Recent statistics showed that only 23 per cent of students who entered Form 4 this year choose STEM A, the pure science track.
Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid said Penang needed a talent development roadmap to support the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the National Semiconductor Strategy.
He said Penang needed talent with knowledge and skills in STEM to maintain the country's global competitiveness.
"The Penang government remains committed to elevating STEM as one of the critical elements driving high-tech state development by 2030.
"This aligns with the Penang 2030 vision to become a smart and green state.
"The support and involvement of higher education institutions, non-governmental organisations and corporate sectors in stimulating interest among our students, especially those from B40 families, in STEM fields are highly welcomed.
"Fostering interest in STEM is essential to ensure that our state does not face a shortage of quality local skilled talent.
"If we do not adequately prepare human capital in STEM, we risk losing the title 'Silicon Valley of the East', synonymous with Penang, to other countries."
He said this at the launch of the Penang STEM mini-theatre programme at Politeknik Seberang Prai here today.
The event was graced by Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak.
The programme was organised by Yayasan Amal TYT Pulau Pinang in collaboration with the National STEM Association to promote STEM among students more widely and proactively.
The programme, which will run from November this year to October 2027, will focus on 100 Form 1 students and 20 teachers from 10 secondary schools in Penang.
These students will continue in the programme in Form 2 and Form 3.
It is hoped that all these students will pursue pure science in Form 4.
Yayasan Amal TYT Pulau Pinang chief executive officer Datuk Seri Rozali Mohamud said Malaysia's competitive advantage in the semiconductor industry was supported by the fact that seven per cent of the global semiconductor trade flowed through the country and three per cent of global chip assembly, testing and packaging was conducted in Malaysia, primarily in Penang.
He said more than 50 per cent of packaging and testing activities in Southeast Asia were done in Malaysia, making it the 12th largest exporter of electrical and electronics products globally and the sixth largest exporter of semiconductors.
"Despite these achievements, interest among students in pursuing pure science subjects is declining.
"In 2024, only 23 per cent of students who entered Form 4 choose STEM A.
"The number of graduates in science, mathematics and computer fields from Malaysian universities decreased from 38,083 in 2021 to 37,907 in 2022.
"A similar trend is seen in engineering, manufacturing and construction, where graduates dropped from 70,026 in 2021 to 64,473 in 2022.
"Therefore, all parties must play a role in addressing this issue to maintain Malaysia's competitive advantage in the semiconductor industry, particularly preserving its status as the 'Silicon Valley of the East'."
He said the Penang STEM mini-theatre programme aimed to cultivate students' interest in STEM, employing inquiry-based teaching techniques, project and research-based learning and problem-solving approaches.