​Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) Minister YB Yeo Bee Yin today visited her alma mater, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP).

YB Yeo was a chemical engineering student and graduated in 2006.

During her visit, she officiated the opening of UTP Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Exploration Centre and the prize giving ceremony of Chemical Company Malaysia (CCM) STEM Up x UTP.

Also present at both events were Chemical Company of Malaysia Bhd Group Managing Director, Nik Fazila Nik Mohamed Shihabuddin, UTP Vice Chancellor Professor Ts Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib as well as UTP STEM sponsors and partners from the government, industry and other institutions.

The UTP STEM Exploration Centre is a testament of the university's commitment and determination in supporting and advocating the nation's effort to cultivate Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in ensuring the future generation is armed with future-proof STEM skills in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.  This is to ensure that they will have a strong foundation to be digital citizens and future innovators in a rapidly evolving world.

In addition, with the opening of the Centre, it demonstrates the university's active role in the nation's aspiration to establish a scientific and innovative society.

The Centre is part of the university's social responsibility project.  It is developed with the contribution from MESTECC Social Innovation Fund, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and SIRIM Measurements Sdn Bhd with the amount of RM268,000.

Afterwards, YB Yeo also presented prizes to the winners of the CCM STEM Up x UTP competition for primary and secondary school students.  The event is organised by UTP in collaboration with CCM, with the aim to create STEM awareness among school children. 

Some of the activities held were science forum, science spelling bee, science genius, robotics, chemist STEM pitching, chemist genius and STEM innovation pitching. 

Prior to these events, YB Yeo also had engagement sessions with UTP researchers, students and alumni.

Since 2016, UTP has been actively promoting STEM to school students in Perak through various outreach activities such as STEM talks, camps and competitions.  

The activities organised will engage students in a learning experience that enable them to use their creativity, problem solving and critical thinking to become effective learners. This will then encourage more students to select STEM subjects.