By Asmahanim Amir
Photos by Abd Raai Osman

KUALA TERENGGANU, 2 August 2017 – Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), through the Faculty of Education (FPend), received RM250,000 from ExxonMobil to train 64 teachers in Terengganu.

The 64 primary and secondary school teachers were selected to be trainers for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programmes, in an effort to empower the teaching of science and mathematics subjects by utilising an integrated science approach.

An integrated approach refers to the integration of STEM elements in teaching, inquiry-based learning and hypothesis generation through projects.

UKM Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation, Prof Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman said the contribution indicates a close relationship between the university and industry.

“In this context, the Faculty of Education through the Bitara programme has successfully received RM250,000 worth of research grants to train teachers in Terengganu, especially in strengthening the STEM field.

“For the first phase, which is expected to begin this September, our experts will come to Terengganu to provide training through the Training of Trainers (ToT) programme.

“Then, in the second phase, teachers will implement the STEM programme at the district level,” he said at the ExxonMobil Contribution Presentation Ceremony for Terengganu State Education and Community Programme 2017, recently.

Meanwhile, Malaysia ExxonMobil Subsidiary Chairman, Edward Graham, said the contribution is the part of the organisation’s aimed to support STEM and usage of English among students and teachers.

“Studies in education have found that teachers are the key factor in influencing students’ success,” he said.

He said the aim of the programme is to make teaching and learning sciences and mathematics more effective, interesting and relevant.