Defence Research and Development (R&D) Cultivation Programme in Malaysian Schools
Malaysian Deputy Minister of Defence, Adly bin Zahari inaugurated the Defence Research and Development (R&D) Programme in Schools at the MINDEF Pavilion, Malaysia International Exhibition Centre Langkawi (MIEC) on May 24, 2023.
This Programme will be carried out to introduce and encourage the participation of students in science and technology for development research activities in general and specifically for defence.
It also demonstrates the commitment of Science & Technology Research Institute for Defence (STRIDE) and the Malaysian Ministry of Defence towards its efforts to continuously foster research and innovation culture not only among its members but also in the younger generation mainly high school students.
The objectives of organising the Programme are as follows:
a. To foster exposure, awareness and promote the importance of Defence Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) and Defence Research and Development (R&D) to students;
b. To inculcate interest and encourage students preference in choosing science stream at the upper secondary and university levels;
c. To discover and nurture the talents of school students in R&D among school students;
d. To support the implementation of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) policies implemented in schools; and
e. To improve communication and social skills during the project development process.
The Defence Research and Development (R&D) Programme in Schools will be carried out continuously via two main activities as follows:
a. Promote Awareness and Interest in Defence Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I), enabling STRIDE researchers to visit selected schools and;
b. Defence Innovation Competition with the theme of Future Soldier or Tentera Masa Hadapan. The national level competition is open to the participation of high school students nationwide. The primary purpose of the competition is to encourage creativity and discover the talents of school students in applying high-level thinking skills to produce high-impact innovation projects. The students will also have opportunities to highlight their innovative ideas, discoveries and designs according to the competition theme.
Entries for this competition will be open starting May 24 and the Closing Ceremony will be held in November 2023. More information can be obtained from STRIDE’s official portal or by contacting the Programme Chairman, Dr Ridwan bin Yahaya via email (ridwan.yahaya@stride.gov.my) or telephone (03-8732 4400). — stride/adj/mhi (Pix: STRIDE)