AT&S Malaysia has successfully organised the state-wide Science and Technology Exploration Camp (STEC) for two consecutive years. The STEC is approved by Kedah State Department of Education as part of the CSR project for AT&S Malaysia. The continued initiative is aimed to spark off the interest among primary school students in science and technology, bearing an ultimate objective to prepare a talent pipeline for the Malaysian E&E industry.
The Camp is organised in collaboration with Kedah EXCO Office of Industry & Investment, Higher Education, Science, Technology & Innovation, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Spanish Institute (UniKL-MSI) and Polytechnic Tuanku Sultanah Bahiyah. The latter two educational institutions have supported the Camp by sending their facilitators to coach the students on how to make hand sanitiser, assemble electrical and electronic accessories of solar-energised and remote-control cars at the camp.
2023 STEC involves 12 primary schools and targets 240 students from the Districts of Kubang Pasu, Baling and Kulim. In 2022, the same camp benefitted approximately 160 students.
At the launch ceremony, AT&S Malaysia Managing Director, Vittorio Villari, shared, “I studied physics, a science stream. I believe that participating in this camp would help to develop your interest in science and technology. In future, I hope some of you will be a part of AT&S Malaysia.”
The ceremony was graced by the Deputy Director of Kedah State Economic Planning Department (BPEN), Dr. Mohd Rezal bin Dato’ Paduka Haji Rasli. He commended the initiative, “We always seek to partner with private sector to develop more talents in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This camp would help to materialise the Kedah 2035 Development Plan.”
In the same event, (Sekolah Kebangsaan) SK Baling, SK Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin, SK Bandar Baru Darulaman, SK Jitra, SK Paya Kemunting and Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) exhibited several innovative projects featuring the use of science and technology to further inspire the interest of the participating pupils in STEM.
Science and Technology Education is part of the four AT&S Malaysia’s CSR thrusts, which are AT&S Volunteers and Young Enthusiasm for Science and Engineering, besides High Technology Fair, 21st Century Skills and Sustainable Development Goals’ Learning and Actions. According to AT&S Malaysia ESG Manager, Loh Chin Ling, “Imparting STEM knowledge in younger generation is critical for the sustainability of E&E Industry in Malaysia and the contribution for GDP growth.”