The launching of KLESF: The Fair 2016
The Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF): The Fair 2016 was held from 4 to 6 November at the MINES International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC) with the aim to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
The fair was launched by the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Wira Dr Abu Bakar bin Mohamad Diah, accompanied by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, KLESF Steering Committe Chairman and ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology (AAET) President Ir Datuk Hong Lee Pee, KLESF Steering Committe Co-Chairman and Malaysia Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) President Datuk Dr Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman, Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) President and MIGHT Joint Chairman Tan Sri Dr Ir Ahmad Tajuddin Ali, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik and Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA) Chairman YBhg Datuk Seri Azman Ujang.
In his speech, Prof Tan Sri Ahmad Tajuddin Ali said, “One of the key takeaways is that the next industrial revolution is a fusion of technology that will blur the lines between the physical, digital and biological spheres. The ability to adopt and apply foreign knowledge to local contexts is key for economic development in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. I believe prior to adapting to foreign knowledge we need to prepare our next generation with the right foundation, awareness and wisdom as they will be the future leaders that will manoeuvre Malaysia towards the next industrial revolution.”
YB Datuk Wira Dr Abu Bakar bin Mohamad Diah mentioned, “The fair was made possible through the collaborative effort between various parties because KLESF is truly an important programme in line with the country’s agenda to increase our science profile. This programme enables us the opportunity to promote how science, technology and innovation can directly impact the quality of life and the social well-being of the country.
Also present at the launch were KLESF steering committee members, UTAR Vice President of R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, Immediate Past President of Institution of Engineers Malaysia Ir Choo Kok Beng, Institution of Engineers Malaysia President Ir Tan Yean Chin, as well as representatives from the industries, sponsors, and teachers and students.
UTAR, AAET, MIGHT and IEM jointly organised KLESF: The Fair 2016 with the primary goal to boost school students’ interest in STEM subjects
“The fair aims to encourage the participation of organisations and the industry in promoting STEM education and its development. It is also the aspiration of KLESF to raise awareness among school students and the Malaysian community on the importance of STEM education as Malaysia’s vehicle for socioeconomic well-being and future sustainable development. To reap the benefits of STEM, we need more collective effort from all parties including the government, NGOs, schools, parents, students and all individuals in the country. I would also like to announce that KLESF has won the bid for the hosting of the Asian Science Camp 2017, where the event will witness 250 to 300 youths from various Asian countries attending to interact and listen to lectures by more than 12 Nobel laureates, top scientists and technologists,” said Datuk Hong in his address.
The Alice Smith's School student visiting the St Marian's Home School's booth
“KLESF has created a platform for children to present their science projects which cultivates innovation and develops their communication skills through presentations. They also learn from other participants about STEM which is a crucial learning experience for their future. I am excited to bring my children all the way here to experience the hands-on activities and workshops,” said a parent from Johor Bahru.
Bayer Communications Manager Karen Koh Yah Hui said, “Bayer is glad to be part of KLESF because it serves as a good platform to encourage and enhance STEM education among schoolchildren. The crowd has been overwhelming and we encourage the general public, parents, students and the industry to continue to support KLESF, which is also in line with Bayer’s mission in enhancing the appreciation for science and encouraging the younger generation to learn STEM in a fun and interactive way.”
Rathakarn, Anne, Pawarut and Nuddanai from Traill International School, Bangkok
Students of MAAHAD TAHFIZ with thier innovative project
On another note, BERNAMA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with MIGHT to promote STEM education. By leveraging its platform, BERNAMA becomes a STEM news provider which uplifts the science agenda to the masses and enables science to be accessible to all.
The fair saw over 300 schools and universities participate. More excitingly, the fair also welcomed participants from ASEAN countries, namely Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Thailand, to showcase their STEM projects and share their experience with Malaysians. “This KLESF fair gave us an enjoyable experience because we got to meet a lot of people and learn about new projects from the various booths. We have listened to the talks and attended some workshops as well. It is a great experience for us international participants to experience this fair,” said Rathakarn Suwanmanon and Anne Boonyasuppayakorn from Traill International School, Bangkok.
Kindergarten children taking part in mind games
“Being here throughout the three days, I have visited all the different booths and I learnt a lot about science. I am actually very interested in science, and this experience has done a lot for me whereby we got to explore the creations of other participants and attend the fun workshops that were available,” said Ashley, a student from St Marian’s Home School.
Students of SJK (C) Naam Kheung explaining their project
KLESF supports the Science To Action (S2A) initiative announced by the prime minister in 2013 to mainstream the usage and understanding of science to society and promote innovation and technology as one of the strategic reform initiatives for national development. The S2A aims to intensify the interest of science for sustainable growth with new game-changing strategies. Under KLESF, other programmes such as the KLESF Mentorship Development (KMD) programme and the Symposium on Science Education (SoSE) have groomed educators to be more effective and efficient in teaching STEM to children.
Datuk Wira Dr Abu Bakar visiting one of the exhibitors’ booth
“We must continue to strengthen our efforts and pull our resources together to ensure STEM education is sustained. STEM needs to be part of the national culture where it will drive the nation forward to enable our society to stand on par with other great nations. It is this spirit of collaboration that is needed for us to progress forward to a better future. The scientific community in particular needs to promote STEM to ensure that programmes such as KLESF continuously generate bigger impacts on society,” said YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri during the closing ceremony.
Students assembling patterns at the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris booth
The fair culminated with the prize-giving ceremony to the winners of the KLESF International Challenge 2016 competition. KLESF: The Fair 2016 was supported by the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), Majlis Profesor Negara (MPN), The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and Institut Fizik Malaysia (IFM).