The premier association for the advancement of Science & Technology in Malaysia, the Malaysian Scientific Association (MSA), organised a Public Understanding of Science & Technology Symposium (PUSAT) at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Merapok, Lawas, Limbang, Sarawak on 24th-25th October 2009. The event was co- organised by Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation, Chief Minister Department of Sarawak, Ministry of Education, Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Petrosains and Pusat Sains Negara.

A total of over 500 students and 100 teachers from the rural schools of Sarawak, namely Sekolah Menengah Merapok, Sekolah Menengah Trusan, Sekolah Menengah Lawas and Sekolah Menengah Sundar attended the 2- day Symposium.

A host of pertinent topics of current interest was presented by eminent scientists and academicians from Malaysian Scientific Association and Academy of Sciences Malaysia as well as local R & D institutions and universities at the Symposium. Topics covered include herbal medicine, food crisis, renewable energy, biodiversity, nutrition, nanotechnology, dengue, stem cells, astronomy, etc.

The highlight of the talks was the presentation by Ms Vanajah Siva, one of the finalists in the national astronaut team. She narrated her courageous feats in going through the many tough and awesome physical and non-physical tests to emerge as one of the finalists in the national astronaut selection.

The event also saw the active participation of these students and teachers in the Science Shows, Science Process Skills Programs and other workshops drawn up by Petrosains and Pusat Sains Negara.

PUSAT is the annual event organized by MSA since 2000 in various states of Malaysia. Among the aims of PUSAT are to promote better understanding of science and technology among the public and students as well as to encourage the younger generation to pursue careers in science and technology. This was the third time PUSAT was organized in Sarawak. Previously, it was organized in Kuching and Bintulu (in 2004). The choice of Lawas, a small rural town in the north-eastern tip of Sarawak came into the picture as the State Government of Sarawak wanted to promote Science and Technology in the rural area and a region of Sarawak not covered by PUSAT before.

The Symposium was officially closed by the Chief Minister of Sarawak, YAB Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud. He said that Malaysias new economy model depended very much on change of attitude and mental state of its people. Coupled with an innovative and inquiry mindset, Science and Technology can improve the national productivity and create high income jobs.

He pointed out that the study of Science need not be restricted to the laboratories. In the rural setting, it can be made more interesting by observing and exploring the mother nature. "By tapping into our rich biodiversity, this can further lead to development of new products such as food supplements, herbal medicines and new materials, thus creating new engines of growth," he said.

Also present at the function was Datin Hajah Fatimah Abdullah, Junior Minister in the Chief Minister Department (Human Resoruce & Training) & Junior Agricultural Minister (Home Economics & Training).

In her speech, she said that the state of Sarawak has been active in promoting Science and Technology through Rural Mathematics Camp, ICT Camp and so on. She is concerned with the current figure of 41.28% of Science students out of the total student population in secondary schools. She stressed that more efforts need to be put in to improve it as this was still way below the national target of 60/40 ratio of Science to Arts students. She regarded teachers as important agents of change. Using creative and innovative teaching, teachers can play a crucial role in raising the interest of students in Science and Technology.

Earlier on, Professor Dato Dr Khairul Anuar Abdullah, the President of Malaysian Scientific Association in his welcoming address welcomed the governments allocation of RM23 billion for Science and Technology education, as announced by the Prime Minister in his recent budget announcement. The President believes this will set impetus to the advancement of Science and Technology which is an integral component for Malaysia to achieve the developed nation status.

At the function, the Chief Minister of Sarawak also pledged an allocation of RM100,000 for PUSAT in Sarawak. MSA is currently planning to organise PUSAT in 2010 in the states of Pahang and Penang and is approaching the state governments of Pahang and Penang to support it.

[Webmaster's note: - Thank you to Ms. Wee Hui Bieh for the text]

Below, we share with you photos of the day's event.