9,610 participants from 15 Universities and industries including 4,884 women and 12 individuals with disabilities have been involved in Micron-My STEM Ambassador program to improve Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) skills and talent among undergraduates, reduce barriers for marginalized communities, and raise STEM awareness.
Coordinated by Universiti Malaya (UM) together with 15 universities, the Micron- My STEM Ambassador program included 30 initiatives, including seminars, lectures, group work, and STEM-related visits, resulting from a grant from the Micron Foundation. The program focused on STEM leadership, career readiness, women in STEM, individuals with disabilities, and STEM in the community.
The objective of the program was to empower students holistically in innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, social skills, and volunteerism, as well as to establish productive relationships between universities and the local community. The program also incorporated Women in STEM and Persons with Disabilities programs for female and disabled students, respectively. A total of 9,610 participants have been involved in these programs, including 4,884 women and 12 individuals with disabilities.
Professor Dr. Saiful Anuar Bin Karsani, Executive Director of IPPP, Universiti Malaya in his welcoming speech said that “I believe that through this programme, students can enhance some skills such as higher-order thinking, communication, problem-solving, and lifelong learning skills. It is also capable of empowering students to become holistic leaders upon graduation and will equip them with the necessary 21st century skills. In addition, this programme aims to foster confidence and provide students with opportunities to enhance their creativity, critical thinking, innovation, and social skills in managing diverse activities.
“This programme demonstrates how universities and corporations can work together to increase student participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities. Moreover, these partnerships can facilitate the emergent role of STEM educators in promoting STEM and increase the interest of Malaysian students in STEM education. We are privileged to have MICRON's support for STEM programmes with fifteen (15) public and private universities,” he added.
Also present at the program was Mr. Moorthy Murugaiah, Senior Director of Global People Services, Micron, and Ms. Dee Mooney, Executive Director, Micron Foundation, Ir. Dr. Mas Sahidayana Mohktar, and two testimonies from Micron-My STEM Ambassadors – Mr. Idris bin Hud, IIUM's Faculty of Science, and Miss Goh Chia Ching, Monash University's Department of Information Technology.
This program aimed to help graduates become more marketable and contribute to the STEM education and economic empowerment of the nation for years to come. Among universities involved are Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Monash University Malaysia (MONASH), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) and Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU)