| Universiti Putra Malaysia

UPM’s Karnival Jom Sains to nurture interest for Science and technology


By: Yasmin Yusoff

SERDANG, March 16 – Twenty schools took part in a two-day Karnival Jom Sains, organized by the Faculty of Science of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) at the university’s Panggung Percubaan.

The programme, an initiative by the faculty and several agencies, is aimed at cultivating interest for learning based on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) among primary and secondary school students.

UPM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Prof. Dato' Dr. Mohammad Shatar Sabran said science-based knowledge needed to be instilled among students from young as a motivation for them to pursue their tertiary studies in the field.

“Not all students are keen to study Science. Therefore, the interest for this field has to be nurtured among students from a young age in order to stimulate creativity, innovation and healthy competition among them,” he said when launching the event at Panggung Percubaan.



UPM Science Faculty Dean, Prof.Dr. Zainal Abidin Talib said the carnival held in conjunction with the faculty’s 40th anniversary will nurture interest among the people towards Science and related applications.

“In a way, it enables them to explore into Science via various activities that are held throughout the carnival.

“Among the more than interesting activities being held are STEM Outdoor Challenge, Putra Science Olympaid 2016 (PuSO’16), STEM Exhibition, STEM Fun Fair and Short Video Competition with the theme The Power of Science,” he said.



Meanwhile, the carnival’s Director, Khairulridzwan Jaafar said the event served as a platform to spread the importance of Science, strengthen teamwork and team spirit among students.

“Science subject is normally taught in the form of theory but for carnival activities, we are promoting Science applications in the form of games to gain the attention of visitors. We also hold talks for visitors on the importance of learning Science,” he said.

The Faculty of Science’s STEM Outreach Programme began its operation in the early establishment of the faculty, with its main objective at inculcating volunteerism among students so that they will be more sensitive and able to contribute towards the society through knowledge transfer and transformation. – UPM.


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