SMK Berapit and SMK Jalan Damai have became the first two secondary schools on the mainland to set up MakerLabs – thanks to the collaboration between Plexus Manufacturing Sdn Bhd and Penang Science Cluster (PSC).
The MakerLabs have been successfully set up this month, in line with the state’s commitment towards enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Plexus APAC president Datuk Lim Yong Jin was delighted with the success.
He said Plexus, being a technology-driven company, wanted to encourage and cultivate interest in technology and engineering among the students.
“The MakerLabs will enhance the students’ interest to learn science and serve as a platform for them to showcase their creativity,” he said in his speech during the official opening ceremony of the MakerLabs in SMK Jalan Damai in Bukit Mertajam.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was present to witness the remarkable event, expressed his gratitude to Plexus for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts.
He said PSC was instrumental in enhancing STEM, innovation and entrepreneurship.
“We are privileged to witness the launching of the MakerLabs. The labs allow students to learn important technical skills such as coding, embedded system, 3D design and 3D printing.
“Creating a strong talent pool for the future has always been one of state’s important agendas,” he said.
Chow said the new labs were the seventh and eighth labs for secondary schools in the state.
“We hope that more companies will come forward and contribute to the setting up of MakerLab in schools,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, Berapit assemblyman Heng Lee Lee, SMK Jalan Damai principal Lee Cheah Kuen, SMK Berapit principal Lim Geaik Hong, PSC director Datuk Yoon Chon Leong, and PSC chief executive officer Ooi Peng Ee.
In a press conference later, Chow said that the state had allocated RM3 million to assist 170 national primary and secondary schools in Penang.
“The financial aid is to help ease the burden of the schools which had to seek funds to carry out repairs and to provide better facilities for the students,” he added.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi