THE Penang government’s drive to inculcate the interest of learning science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is proven through the setting up of ‘few products’ in the era of Industrial Revolution 4.0.
Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai said the setting up of MakerLabs, Penang Science Cafe, Penang Tech Dome and Penang Digital Library were among the products.
He said all these state initiatives were to prepare the youngsters and exposed them to the industry when they join the workforce.
“This could be seen through the setting up of digital library. A similar model will be built in Kedah, which is expected to be ready by end of next year.
“It’s a successful model. I hope it will be expanded to other states as well,” he said in his speech before closing the National Education, Innovation and Research Conference at the Penang Teachers’ Training Campus in Glugor today.
Wong also said the Federal Government had allocated a huge portion of funds to the Education Ministry during the Budget last year, describing it as a ‘great’ move.
Earlier, the Penang Teachers’ Training Campus deputy director Abdul Latib Abdul Rahman also urged the people to instil the love for books.
He said reading was important to enhance one’s knowledge.
“According to a National Library Interim research, the total average of books read has increased to 15 in 2014 from only two books in 2005,” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi