MalaysianUpdates

Tag: #STEMEducation

  • Nestlé Malaysia and IIUM Kuantan Drive Halal STEM Education Partnership

    Nestlé Malaysia and IIUM Kuantan Drive Halal STEM Education Partnership

    Nestlé Malaysia has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s Halal ecosystem and developing future-ready talent through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan. The collaboration aims to advance Halal Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.

    The MoU marks a significant step in bridging the gap between industry and academia, with both parties sharing a common objective of equipping young Malaysians with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the evolving Halal industry. The signing ceremony was held during the Halal STEM Expo at the IIUM Kuantan Campus, which brought together around 500 participants comprising upper secondary school students from across Pahang.

    Under this partnership, IIUM Kuantan will develop educational modules with support from Nestlé Malaysia, alongside the introduction of hands-on competitions designed to provide students with practical, real-world learning experiences. As part of the Halal STEM Expo initiative, the programme featured interactive experiments, exhibition booths, competitions and knowledge-sharing sessions aimed at enhancing student engagement and understanding of Halal STEM.

    Beyond student-centred programmes, the MoU also outlines wider areas of collaboration, including joint research in Halal science and food innovation, knowledge-sharing initiatives, as well as participation in conferences, workshops and academic publications. These efforts are expected to strengthen academia-industry linkages, encourage innovation and build a strong pipeline of future Halal talent.

    [From left] Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erna Normaya Abdullah, Chairperson of Halal STEM Expo 2026 and Head of SuNCoM, Kulliyyah of Science, 
    International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan, Prof. Dr. Kamaruzzaman Yunus, Dean, Kulliyyah of Science, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd. Arifin bin Kaderi, Vice Director, IIUM Kuantan, Dato’ Mohamad Nizar Najib, State Executive Councillor for Investment, Industrial Development, Science, Technology and Innovation of Pahang, representing the Chief Minister of Pahang, Raja Nurmaria Murni, Executive Director, Group Corporate Affairs for Malaysia and Singapore, Nasrul Hadi Mohamed Nor, Head of Halal Affairs, Nestlé Malaysia and Siti Hazlin Jantan, Halal Operation Manager, Nestlé Malaysia at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing with the Kulliyyah of Science, IIUM Kuantan to advance Halal Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for young Malaysians. 

    Nestlé Malaysia Head of Halal Affairs, Nasrul Hadi Mohamed Nor, said the company’s commitment to Halal goes beyond maintaining high product and operational standards, extending to nurturing future talent for the industry. He added that the collaboration aims to spark students’ interest in STEM from a Halal perspective while providing them with practical insights into how science and technology contribute to the Halal ecosystem. He also noted that these efforts support national aspirations to increase STEM participation among students and further reinforce Malaysia’s position as a global Halal hub.

    Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erna Normaya Abdullah, Chairperson of Halal STEM Expo 2026 and Head of SuNCoM, Kulliyyah of Science, IIUM Kuantan, said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to developing future leaders and strengthening Islamic STEM (Halal-STEM) education. She highlighted that the initiative is grounded in the IIUM Tawhidic philosophy, which integrates knowledge, values and holistic human development, while serving as a platform to connect academic learning with industry exposure and inspire students to pursue STEM pathways within the Halal ecosystem.

    A key highlight of the Halal STEM Expo was the Halal Frontier Talk, a panel session featuring representatives from Nestlé Malaysia and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), which provided students with first-hand insights from industry leaders and highlighted potential career opportunities in Halal STEM fields.

     [From right] Nasrul Hadi Mohamed Nor, Head of Halal Affairs, Nestlé Malaysia, with participants of the Halal STEM Expo, where Nestlé Malaysia also served as judges and shared industry expertise, providing real-world insights into Halal manufacturing practices.

    The programme also featured the Innovate Challenge, where secondary school and university students were encouraged to develop and present innovative prototypes focused on sustainability and aligned with Halal STEM principles. Nestlé Malaysia played an active role throughout the competition as judges and mentors. In addition, interactive exhibition booths enabled students to explore the company’s Halal value chain more closely and gain a clearer understanding of the role of STEM across the industry.

    This MoU marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration, with various initiatives planned over the next two years to further empower students and advance Halal STEM education. Through this partnership, Nestlé Malaysia and IIUM Kuantan remain committed to nurturing future-ready talent while strengthening Malaysia’s innovative Halal ecosystem.

  • Yayasan MR D.I.Y. rolls out the 2026 STEM Discovery on Wheels programme, contributing 120,000 STEM kits to Muzium Negara.

    Yayasan MR D.I.Y. rolls out the 2026 STEM Discovery on Wheels programme, contributing 120,000 STEM kits to Muzium Negara.

    KUALA LUMPUR, 4 February 2026 – Yayasan MR D.I.Y. has strengthened its commitment to inclusive and future-focused education with the launch of the 2026 STEM Discovery on Wheels programme, announced in Kuala Lumpur on 4 February 2026. Through this initiative, Yayasan MR D.I.Y. contributed 120,000 STEM kits to Muzium Negara, marking a strategic collaboration that brings Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics learning into a public cultural space. The programme is designed to spark curiosity and hands-on exploration, allowing students and visitors of all ages to engage with STEM concepts in a way that is interactive, accessible and enjoyable.

    By integrating STEM education within Muzium Negara, the initiative extends learning beyond traditional classroom settings and encourages experiential discovery through practical activities that foster creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. STEM Discovery on Wheels also functions as a mobile outreach platform, travelling directly to schools and communities across Malaysia to ensure wider access to quality educational resources. This dual approach—combining nationwide outreach with permanent educational support at a national institution—reflects Yayasan MR D.I.Y.’s holistic vision of nurturing future-ready talent while reducing educational gaps.

    The arrival of these STEM kits at Muzium Negara marks a collaborative effort by Yayasan MR. DIY to make science and technology learning more accessible to the public through the museum’s outreach programs.

    The programme is part of Yayasan MR D.I.Y.’s broader sustainability and community empowerment efforts, which focus on delivering high-impact, long-term initiatives that uplift youth and support national aspirations for an innovation-driven and resilient future generation. Through consistent investment in education and community development, the foundation continues to play a meaningful role in shaping an inclusive learning ecosystem across the country.

  • Yayasan MR D.I.Y. Impacts 300,000 Beneficiaries Nationwide in 2025

    Yayasan MR D.I.Y. Impacts 300,000 Beneficiaries Nationwide in 2025

    Yayasan MR D.I.Y. is closing 2025 on a strong and meaningful note, marking a year of impactful community engagement that has touched lives across Malaysia and beyond. Throughout the year, the Foundation channelled close to RM1.5 million into 250 community-driven programmes, reaching more than 300,000 beneficiaries nationwide. This milestone reinforces Yayasan MR D.I.Y.’s position as one of Malaysia’s most active and trusted foundations, translating the brand’s two-decade relationship with Malaysians through its 1,400-store network into people-first initiatives that deliver tangible and lasting outcomes.

    One of the most notable highlights of 2025 was the continued expansion of the Foundation’s flagship STEM Discovery on Wheels programme, which has now engaged over 200,000 children nationwide. As one of the largest privately driven STEM outreach initiatives in the country, the programme brings hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning directly to underserved schools and communities through partnerships with state and district education departments, museums and the National Science Centre. Beyond local borders, Yayasan MR D.I.Y. also strengthened its humanitarian footprint by distributing 9,600 STEM kits to children across 48 districts in Lebanon in collaboration with MALBATT 850-13 under UNIFIL, supporting education continuity in conflict-affected areas.

    Supporting the community by providing aid to the flood victims at Sabah

    At home, the Foundation continued to respond swiftly and compassionately to communities in need. From pooling senior management SARA allocations to support cancer patients at Home of Hope in Chow Kit, to providing flood relief in Jeli, Taiping and East Malaysia, donating essential furniture to Hospital Duchess of Kent in Sandakan, and assisting families affected by severe floods in Kota Kinabalu, Yayasan MR D.I.Y. demonstrated agility and empathy in action. The year concludes with its annual Christmas CSR programme, bringing joy and encouragement to paediatric patients at the School in Hospital, Rehabilitation Hospital Cheras. Guided by trust, strong partnerships and a deep understanding of community needs, Yayasan MR D.I.Y. continues to set a benchmark for people-centred corporate social responsibility in Malaysia.

  • Digital Innovator Programme (DIP) Cultivates Tomorrow’s Tech Pioneers in Malaysia

    Digital Innovator Programme (DIP) Cultivates Tomorrow’s Tech Pioneers in Malaysia

    The Digital Innovator Programme (DIP), a collaborative initiative by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Ministry of Education (MOE), and National University of Malaysia (UKM) through Pusat PERMATA@Pintar Negara, continues to shape Malaysia’s digital future by nurturing the nation’s next generation of tech leaders. Launched in 2021, DIP has quickly established itself as one of Malaysia’s most impactful digital talent development programmes, selecting over 200 high-potential students nationwide. The programme employs a hands-on, project-based learning approach, integrating real-world problem-solving with mentorship from industry experts. Its curriculum focuses on critical domains such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and Technopreneurship, equipping students with the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in an evolving digital economy.

    Since its inception, DIP students have excelled on both national and international stages, participating in over 150 competitions. Notable achievements include Syafeeqa Aqeela Binti Roshidi, who won a Gold Medal at the Horizon Olympiad Global Round 2025 in the United States for coding in Python, and Lew Jia Jin, who emerged as Champion and Top Scorer at the Southeast Asia Computer Science Olympiad (SEACSO) 2025 in South Korea, demonstrating proficiency in Block, Python, and JavaScript. Additionally, Khaira Adriana Binti Nor Azizi and Benjamin Ooi represented Team Malaysia at the FIRST Global Challenge 2025 in Greece, securing three international awards in Global Explorer, Video Storytelling, and Social Media Challenge categories out of 190 countries.

    Lew Jia Jin emerged as Champion and Top Scorer at the Southeast Asia Computer Science Olympiad (SEACSO) 2025 International Round in South Korea. He demonstrated exceptional coding skills across Block, Python and JavaScript, integrating these languages in his projects.

    MDEC Chief Executive Officer, Anuar Fariz Fadzil, praised the programme for transforming potential into excellence, describing the students as “Malaysia’s digital treasures” whose development directly contributes to national progress. UKM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Sufian Jusoh highlighted that DIP serves as a national platform, turning young Malaysians into global-ready innovators capable of shaping the country’s digital trajectory. To ensure the sustainability and expansion of DIP, particularly for students in rural areas, MDEC and UKM have launched the DIP Fundraising Campaign under the UKM Chancellor Foundation (Yayasan Canselor UKM), inviting contributions from individuals, corporations, and philanthropic organisations to support equipment procurement, scholarships, and programme growth. Through DIP, Malaysia is not only bridging its digital talent gap but also cultivating a generation of innovators ready to make an impact on the global stage.

    Syafeeqa Aqeela Binti Roshidi – Foundation 2 DIP student, clinched the Gold Medal at the Horizon Olympiad Global Round 2025 held in the United States in July 2025for coding using Python as the programming language.