AS the world evolves into an era of digitalisation, the Scouts movement, which plays an instrumental role in shaping disciplined, visionary and accountable individuals, is now emphasising the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
In the earlier days, Scouts used to hold camping and other outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, hunting, and backpacking.
However, as STEM has become one of the important aspects of daily lives, the Penang Scouts Association (PSA) is keen to ensure that its members develop their interests in STEM.
In an exclusive interview session with PSA commissioner Datuk Zulkafli Kamaruddin recently, he emphasised that Scouts could not be left behind.
“We need to follow the changes of the era and encourage our Scouts to cultivate an interest in STEM.
“In fact, our Scouts movement has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Top Komtar and Tech Dome. This is our collaboration to ensure the future of our Scouts movement.
“Those who have completed their learning process in STEM will obtain a special badge,” he said.
The collaboration would also spur the state’s tourism and attract Scouts from other states to visit the state, according to Zulkafli.
As a further tourism boost, he said an art gallery at Wisma Pengakap in Jalan Masjid Negeri would be ready by the first quarter of next year.
“We hope this gallery will serve as one of the hubs for the public to understand the history of Scouts.
“Penang first founded the Scouts movement in 1908. As of now, we have about 15,000 active members and we look forward to expanding it to those aged 18 and above.
“This includes those in polytechnics and public and private universities,” he said while thanking Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee for their support of the Scouts movement.
Zulkafli also delivered good news when speaking to Buletin Mutiara by saying that the Scouts movement would have a new campsite in Teluk Bahang.
“All this while, our camping activities have been held at schools’ fields and other places. Now, we can at least have something to cheer, thanks to the state’s effort as well,” he said, adding that the campsite can be shared with other uniform bodies as well.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi