SYNOPSIS

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This term is always used to demonstrate the educational stream and school curriculum options to enhance competitiveness in the field of development. History of STEM Education in Malaysia has started since the 60's. In 1967, the Ministry of Education introduced a basic 60:40 policy which recommends the above-mentioned for high school pupils’ projection in Malaysia to be 60:40 for Science stream and Arts stream/Social Science, respectively. Since then many initiatives were put in place. However, Malaysia is yet to reach the target of this policy. In the 80’s, we did achieve as high as about 40% for Science stream. STEM Mentor-Mentee program is a flagship program by National STEM Movement and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has adopted it in its original approach. We have a two credits co-curriculum course called STEM Literacy whereby, it is compulsory for the first year and second year undergraduate (diploma and degree) students to acquire. UTM students will be mentoring primary and secondary school children (mentees). Through this program we develop the mentors soft skills and introduce them to the future of STEM related fields. On the other hand, mentees explore the application of science and mathematics that they learn every day. Mentors objective is to explain the science and mathematics in a fun and enjoyable manner.


BIODATA OF SPEAKER

Dr. Sathiabama T. Thirugnana is currently a Senior Lecturer in UTM Razak School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and she is registered with Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM), IEEE, IET and Energy Institute of UK and Malaysia. She received her Ph.D. in Electronics Engineering, focused on thin-film solar cells from Waseda University of Japan in 2015. She possesses vast experience in the development and/or applications of efficient materials for solar cell, photo voltaic (PV) systems namely chalcopyrite thin films and its fabrication using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Her research focused on using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy to investigate and understand the dynamics of energy level and charge carrier generation in photovoltaic materials. Upon joining UTM, she has been actively involved in the STEM education initiatives and programs as part of her University Social Responsibilities (USR). Above all, for the past 16 years Dr. Sathia has involved herself in design, development, analysis, lead trainer and managing of various electrical & electronics testers, telecommunication and renewable energy (RE) industries in and out of Malaysia.