PRESS RELEASE
30 JULY 2018
MALAYSIA HOST OF THE 7th ASEAN + 3 JUNIOR SCIENCE ODYSSEY (APTJSO-7)
SERDANG, 30 JULY 2018 – This is the first time Malaysia, has received the mandate to be the host for the seventh APTJSO, since its’ inauguration in 2012. The APTJSO programme starts from the 29th of July until the 4th of August, 2018.
YB Puan Yeo Bee Yin, Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change has officially launched the 7th ASEAN + 3 Junior Science Odyssey (7th APTJSO) today. The theme for this year is “Science & Innovation for Good Health and Societal Well Being”, in conjunction with Malaysia’s commitment in elevating the proficiency of Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) amongst younger generations.
Nine (9) countries participating in this year’s competition are participants from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Viet Nam, forming 19 teams that include 18 teachers and 57 students. Malaysia is represented by students from Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK), Tunku Kurshiah College (TKC), Sekolah Menengah Sains Lahad Datu, and Sekolah Menengah Sains Kuching Sarawak. The competition gathers teams from diverse cultural backgrounds with the intent to inspire the students’ intellectual curiosity through various experiences and experiments in the field of STI, both in theory and in practice. It also aims to foster cross-cultural exchange, friendship and networking between participants of the ASEAN Plus Three member countries.
The competition is an annually held science camp, which welcome students between the age of 13 to 15 years old, from ASEAN plus three countries. This competition is modelled to create new interest, knowledge and passion in Science, Technology and Innovation, as well as moulding and inspiring the students to become future scientists and innovators. The programme involves 3 main modules, which are the Great Science Ideas (Video Competition & Exhibition Booth Competition), the Great Science Quest (Great Science Quest-Outdoor & Great Science Quest-Laboratory) and the the Great Science Pitch. There will also be a sideline program especially for teachers, where they will have the opportunity to visit various education facilities such as Pusat Permata Pintar Negara, Sekolah Seri Puteri Cyberjaya, Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil, as well as a special education school, Sekolah Menengah Pendidikan Khas Vokasional Shah Alam.
Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) has been a strong advocate of APTJSO’s annual competition since its inception in Brunei Darussalam in 2012. Malaysia regards it as an outstanding programme to promote understanding and appreciation of STEM to the younger generations. Through this APTJSO launch, Malaysia aspires to strengthen multilateral relationships amongst all ASEAN countries
In her speech, YB Minister said, “Investing in STEM talents is crucial with the arrival of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4th IR). Hence, I would like to call upon all schools in ASEAN to emphasize and promote STEM education.”
The competition is held with the cooperation of strategic partners such as the Ministry of Education Malaysia (KPM), National Science Centre (PSN), Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) and The National Institute of Valuation (INSPEN). Representatives from Embassies of participating countries were also present, as well as APTJSO’s Silver sponsor, Kontra Pharma (Appeton), and, scientists from the Young Scientist Network (YSN-ASM), as content developers of the competition.
The opening ceremony was attended by YB Puan Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis, the Deputy Minister of of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change, YBhg. Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Azhar bin Hj. Yahya, the Secretary General of MESTECC, Dr. Kim Do Yeong, representing the ASEAN+3 Center for the Gifted in Science (ACGS), Ms. Lee Sing Cheong, the Assistant Director and Head of Science and Technology Division Sectoral Development, Directorate ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), YBhg. Prof Datin Paduka Dato’ Dr. Aini Ideris, Vice-Chancellor Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and YBhg. Puan Hazami Habib, CEO of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM).
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Further information, please do contact :
Mohd Azmie Abd Majid
Public Relations Officer
Corporate Communications Unit
MESTECC
m.azmi@mosti.gov.my
03 8885 8822
Cik Nurliyana Shamimie binti Rusli
Assistant Secetrary
International Department
MESTECC
Shamimie@mosti.gov.my
03 8885 8546
