PRESS RELEASE
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NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK 2019 ORGANISED TO INCREASE AWARENESS ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY
AND INNOVATION (STI)
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2 April 2019, Kuala Lumpur – Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) launched the National Science Week 2019 today to foster and cultivate Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as well as public awareness on the role of STI in improving the wellbeing and economic growth of the country. Located at the National Science Center, Kuala Lumpur the launch was officiated by YAB Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia, accompanied by YABhg Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Binti Haji Mohd. Ali, YB Puan Yeo Bee Yin, Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change and YB Puan Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis, Deputy Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change.
This year's theme, "Science for Wellbeing" highlights the significance to our day-to- day life where science and technology have profound impact on environmental sustainability and society. Given the technological development required for national development, it is important to integrate science and technology with social science in discussing technology-related issues and their impact on the environment sustainability and society. The rapid growth of technology requires careful and meaningful consideration towards technology that reflects the sharing of community and environmental values.
“The use and dissemination of scientific resources enable us to reshape the future towards sustainable economic development in line with the preservation of the
environment, the wellbeing of the people and universal security. Product production and equipment through green technology saves natural resources and promotes renewable resources. R&D activities need to take into account environmental sustainability and address the effects of climate change. The balance between environmental preservation and development is important in improving the economy of the country”, said Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad in his opening remarks.
He further added that resource use should also be implemented more responsibly.
Environmental negative effects including resource shortages and natural disasters can be avoided by encouraging industries to use low-carbon and environmentally-friendly technology.
While YB Puan Yeo Bee Yin in her welcoming speech shared that the Ministry has launched MESTECC 2019 Program encompassing 73 initiatives under three main sectors namely Energy, Science and Technology and Environment and Climate Change, a functional and generic initiative with the slogan of Own It, Do It, Ace It. The National Science Week is one of the 73 initiatives aimed at promoting the field of Science, Technology and Innovation to the people of Malaysia.
She added that various exciting and interactive activities will be carried out including the opening of the new Science Valley Gallery and Butterfly-Go-Free program at the National Science Center, Bukit Kiara; KL Science Fiction (SciFi) Weekend at National Planetarium; Science Island Hopping in Terengganu; Rombituon Party in Kundasang, Sabah and Rocket Projects in Sarawak.
This year, the National Science Week is carried out in two phases. The first phase from 1 to 7 April 2019 involves the Federal Territory (National Science Center and Planetarium), Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak. While the second phase will be implemented from 2 to 8 August 2019 in other states.
In conjunction with the National Science Week 2019, an exhibition and campaign on the Let’s Break Up with Single-Use Plastic is carried out at all major locations including state-level. To further raise awareness on science and environment, a special exhibition ‘Tangisan Sungai Kim Kim’ or Cries of Kim Kim River is also held at the National Science Center.
Variety of interesting and interactive programs have been planned and will be implemented during the Science Week 2019 Phase 1 in six main locations. Details are as follows:
1. National Science Centre, Kuala Lumpur i. The opening of Science Valley Gallery
ii. “Present for the Future” exhibition involving Augmented Reality, VR, STI etc.
iii. PSN e-Sport competition iv. Butterfly Go Free
2. Planetarium, Kuala Lumpur
i. Public Appreciation for STI (PASTI)
ii. KL SciFi Weekend on 6th and 7th April 2019
3. Terengganu
i. Science Troopers ii. Science Expo
- Science Figures Sharing session by Prof. Dr. Wan Ahmad Tajuddin - “Science for Wellbeing” Sharing session by Heliza Helmi
- The Importance of Vaccination Forum iii. Science Island Hopping
All programmes in Terengganu will be implemented from 1st until 12th April 2019.
4. Sabah
i. Science Demonstration ii. Water Rocket competition iii. Run for Science 2019 iv. Rombituon Festival
v. Stargazing at Bukit Maragang
5. Sarawak
i. Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) competition ii. Portable Planetarium
iii. Marking Star Chart iv. Weather Observation
v. Rocket Project vi. Household e-waste
All programmes in Terengganu will be implemented from 3rd and 4th April 2019.
6. Northern Territory Science Centre (PSNWU), Gunung Keriang, Kedah i. Remote Control Jet competition (RC Jet)
The National Science Week is one of MESTECC's platforms in supporting the Government's efforts to produce more scientists and researchers in the future. More information on the National Science Week 2019, visit www.mestecc.gov.my or the official social media platforms of MESTECC, Facebook @Mestecc, Instagram
@Mestecc and Twitter @MyMestecc
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For more information, please contact:
Faris Ezwan Ali Khan
Senior Officer, Strategic Communications Corporate Communications Unit
Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC)
Tel: 018-3108333
Email: faris@mestecc.gov.my
Akmal Tujad
Senior Officer, Public Relations Corporate Communications Unit
Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC)
Tel: 012-9075372
Email: akmaltujad@mestecc.gov.my
ABOUT NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
The NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK organized by the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology and Climate Change (MESTECC) from 1 to 7 April is an annual event, launched in 2018. Packed with various science and technology-based innovations (STIs) and activities, it is a week long program carried out simultaneously in six locations nationwide with the National Science Center and Planetarium, Kuala Lumpur serving as the main locations.
This year, the National Science Week is implemented in two phases. The first phase from 1 to 7 April 2019 involves Federal Territories (National Science Center and Planetarium), Terengganu, Kedah and Sabah and Sarawak. Meanwhile, the second phase will be implemented from 2 to 8 August 2019 in other states.
More information on the National Science Week 2019, visit www.mestecc.gov.my or the official social media platforms of MESTECC, Facebook @Mestecc, Instagram
@Mestecc and Twitter @MyMestecc
