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MAWAR Asmah Husna Jasimin, 38, a Chemistry teacher at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tun Habab in Kota Tinggi, Johor, has been a guiding light in the lives of her students, instilling in them a deep love for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
With more than 15 years of experience in education, she has been driven by a single goal — to make a meaningful difference in her students' lives.
In 2020, Mawar's journey took a transformative turn when she joined the Yayasan PETRONAS Program Duta Guru (PDG).
The initiative reignited her passion for teaching and unlocked a world of opportunities for her students to excel on the global stage.
Before joining PDG, Mawar felt that her teaching, while effective, could go beyond the traditional approach.
"Before PDG, I was a teacher who taught students and returned home. I focused on the syllabus, but I felt like something was missing. I wanted to bring STEM to life and connect it to the real world," said the teacher from Pontian, Johor.
Her turning point came when her colleague, Haliza Ahmad from SMK Sungai Tiram and a PDG Cohort 1 graduate, shared how the teacher training programme had revolutionised her teaching approach, introducing innovative methods that made lessons more interactive and engaging.
Intrigued by these stories and eager to discover new ways to inspire her students, Mawar decided to apply for the programme.
Through PDG's mentorship and inquiry-based learning approach, Mawar began empowering her students to take charge of their learning and develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities — skills that are essential for success in a technology-driven world.
"It's not about the theory. The programme showed me how to bring STEM into real-world scenarios, making it relatable and engaging," she explained, noting how it allowed her students to connect to practical scenarios.
The programme also bolstered her confidence during the challenging Covid-19 pandemic. With access to a STEM kit package and online tools, Mawar broke digital barriers, teaching coding, digital literacy and problem-solving.
This empowered her students to explore creative solutions and develop essential skills in technology such as coding and digital literacy.
BUILDING A CULTURE OF INNOVATION
When Mawar graduated as a Duta Guru in 2022, she brought a fresh and dynamic vision to SMK Tun Habab's Innovation Club, which was established in 2008. Under her leadership, the club flourished, evolving into a thriving hub of creativity and innovation.
Together with a fellow PDG graduate and colleague, Mawar transformed the club into a vibrant platform for students to excel, guiding them to participate in 25 STEM competitions, including 10 at the international level.
During the Movement Control Order (MCO), recognising the challenges posed by Covid-19, the club conducted a virtual video competition themed "The Colour of Science".
The competition attracted up to 500 students from various schools across Malaysia. SMK Tun Habab proudly secured third place in the competition.
After MCO restrictions were lifted in 2022, three of their students competed in the International Science Invention Fair in Bali, Indonesia, winning a gold medal with their innovative project, the i-Glorious Oil Collection Center (i-GOC).
Recently, another three of their students proudly represented Malaysia in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) for Girls 2024 competition in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
The competition, which focuses on female participation in STEM, saw the team bringing home two gold medals and the Most Outstanding Performance award for their AI-powered innovation.
One of the students, Alya Syafiah Mohammad Hazri, 15, described the experience as unforgettable.
"I was anxious at first as we only had a few days to prepare, but Cikgu Mawar taught me to think creatively and not fear failure. Her guidance gave me the confidence to believe in my ideas and pursue them with passion," she expressed confidently.
Adriana Fariesha Shabudin, 17, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to compete internationally. "This opportunity allowed us to unlock a new world of possibilities as we get to collaborate with female students from across the globe. I now get to expand my horizon and compete with other key players in STEM."
Beyond this recent achievement, students from SMK Tun Habab have also participated in local and international competitions, such as the Asean-India Grassroots Innovation Forum 2022 in Phnom Penh and the World Youth STEM Invention Innovation 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, where they won a gold medal.
The students credited Mawar and her colleagues for instilling confidence, encouraging them to showcase their talent and helping them build connections with like-minded individuals.
These experiences have provided them with invaluable lessons that will benefit them in the future.
According to Mawar, the Innovation Club has become a thriving ecosystem of mentorship, with senior students guiding their juniors to ensure a seamless transition when they graduate.
The club has grown beyond just an extracurricular activity, it is now a community of learners, problem-solvers and future leaders, with aspirations to make SMK Tun Habab a well-known institution in STEM Education.
THE FUTURE OF INNOVATION
These notable achievements would not have been possible without the support of the school principal, Khairuddin Mustapha.
"PDG is not a one-time event but an ongoing programme that continuously adapts to changes, enhancing the skills and knowledge of both teachers and students, particularly in information and communications technology (ICT) and STEM," he shared, praising the programme.
In 2023, SMK Tun Habab, a school with nearly 1,000 students, was awarded the prestigious acknowledgment of an 'Aspiration School' by the Johor State Education Government in recognition of its high-quality students, strong leadership, and conducive learning environment.
"Having Mawar and other teachers as Duta Guru has equipped the school with skills and passion in STEM education, which is crucial for boosting students' interest and proficiency in STEM and supporting the school in producing high-quality students," Khairuddin said.
As PETRONAS celebrates 50 years of excellence, PDG stands as a testament to its dedication to education and empowering future generations of leaders and innovators.
This 10-year programme, a joint collaboration between Yayasan PETRONAS and the Education Ministry, with Yayasan Teach for Malaysia and Petrosains as implementation partners, is aimed at enhancing students' interest and proficiency in STEM by equipping teachers with the skills and passion for effective teaching.
Aspiring to empower 4,500 teachers to become STEM Ambassadors by 2030, the programme has benefited close to 1,400 teachers to date, with 160 teachers having graduated recently as Duta Guru from the Southern Region.
The programme will continue to uplift teachers and empower communities with innovative teaching tools and strategies.
Now, teachers like Mawar are given the chance to transform their classrooms and inspire the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers.