Sabah plans to establish a network of 25 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Centres across the state under a RM195 million proposal aimed at positioning Sabah as East Malaysia’s leading STEM education hub.
The proposal was welcomed by Sabah Education, Science and Technology Minister Datuk James Ratib following a presentation by Universiti Malaya STEM Centre director Professor Dr Mas Sahidayana Mokhtar and National STEM Association president Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Noraini Idris during the STEM Empowerment Meeting on Monday.
The proposal calls for a flagship Sabah STEM Centre in Kota Kinabalu, supported by 24 district-level centres to widen access to STEM education, particularly for students in rural and remote communities.
Of the total investment, RM75 million is earmarked for the Kota Kinabalu headquarters, while RM120 million will fund the development of the 24 district STEM centres.
The network is expected to drive talent development in high-growth fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, drones, programming, the Internet of Things (IoT), green technology and innovation, in line with Industrial Revolution 4.0, the digital economy and the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) agenda.
The proposed state headquarters will house a STEM Teacher Training Academy, AI, robotics, drone and digital fabrication laboratories, a Makerspace, student startup incubator, science exhibition centre, digital studio and a Sabah STEM Data Centre.
Each district STEM centre is planned to feature AI, robotics, drone, programming and IoT laboratories, alongside 3D printing facilities, multimedia studios, Makerspaces, virtual and augmented reality rooms, and mini science galleries.
The proposal also includes statewide initiatives such as the Sabah Robotics Championship, Sabah Drone Challenge, Sabah AI Challenge, Digital Maker Festival, Science Camp, Girls in STEM, Green Technology Programme, Space Science Programme, Junior Engineer Programme and AI for Kids.
Over the next five years, the initiative aims to engage 500,000 students, train 20,000 teachers in STEM education, produce 10,000 innovation projects, organise 500 STEM competitions, establish 100 strategic industry partnerships and nurture 500 student technology startups.
