THE Penang Science Cluster (PSC) is stepping up collaborations between the organisation, state government, Education Department and the industry to build students’ interest in STEM education.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the students’ interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education has dropped over the years.
“The collaborations are needed. The government must work with the industry, academia and the community so that whatever we (the government) plan, they will reflect the wishes of the people,” Chow said during the In.Tech Conference at Bangunan UAB in China Street Ghaut today.
Chow also spoke on the Penang2030 vision.
“The Penang2030 vision ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’, is something for everyone to work on.
“We are still engaging the government departments and we are making good ground on the awareness,” he said.
Chow also said that the state was ready to engage with the plastic industry in Penang.
“The state Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh has been engaging the industry and finding solutions on plastic-related matters,” he said.
The In.Tech Conference is a platform for industry players to be inspired and engaged. The theme for the conference was ‘sustainability’.
Two keynote speakers – EcoKnights president Yasmin Rashid, and Frost and Sullivan chemicals, materials and nutrition senior director Shikhar Aggarwal – shared their inspiring presentations during the conference.
Chow said he would get the Penang Green Council to study the presentations, especially the sustainability of the plastic industry.
“The usage of plastic is necessary. Plastic is a necessary product of the modern world.
“Just like quarry, without it, there won’t be any building.
“It is not banning it (the usage of plastic) all together. We have to find solutions pertaining to plastic usage; such as encourage sustainable plastic use,” he said, adding that it takes innovation and creativity to move forward.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Law Suun Ting