Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has urged students to stay curious, keep asking questions and dare to confront difficult problems as Penang pushes to build a future-ready STEM talent pipeline.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the APEX Bootcamp at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) in Tanjung Bungah on 22 August, Chow told over 400 finalists from 41 secondary schools across the state to develop confidence in solving problems independently, Buletin Mutiara (a Penang state government publication) reported.
“Do not immediately ask, ‘Who can solve this?’ Ask yourself, ‘Why can’t I try?'” Chow said. “Your calculator can solve an equation. Artificial intelligence can generate an answer. But the ability to ask the right question, that still belongs to you.”
He called on the students to carry curiosity, courage and perseverance beyond the programme. “That is the attitude I hope you will carry with you beyond APEX, the curiosity to ask, the courage to try and the determination to keep going when the answer does not come easily,” he said.
More than 1,000 students from five districts participated in the bootcamp organised by the Penang Math Platform (PMP), which brought together seven hands-on learning programmes covering Data Science with Artificial Intelligence, Digital Technology, 3D Design, Graphic Design, Microsoft Excel, Junior Data Scientist and MoneyWise.
Chow said Penang must move from STEM exposure to STEM opportunity by giving students practical experience and clear links between classroom learning and future careers. He said talent development should also cover TVET, digital skills, research, innovation and entrepreneurship, as each student has different interests and passions.
The recently launched Penang STEM Talent Pilot Project, with an allocation of RM12 million over four years to 2030 and a target of reaching 100,000 students, aims to strengthen ties between the government, schools and industry, according to Bernama. Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir launched the initiative at Tech Dome Penang on 10 August, describing it as a collaboration to develop practical skills in AI, data science, robotics and digital technology.
Chow said the initiative should not be measured merely by the number of students reached, but by whether young people can discover their interests, develop their abilities and see pathways to meaningful opportunities. He urged industry partners to expose students to real-world workplaces by allowing them to meet engineers, scientists and technicians.
PMP general manager Johnny Ong said initiatives such as the APEX Bootcamp help complement what schools teach rather than compete with them. “APEX Bootcamp is about what you’ve learnt in schools; you apply it in real life, a test application. If you don’t win, there is always a next time. Keep learning, keep failing and keep trying,” he told Buletin Mutiara.
The bootcamp was supported by sponsors including SRS LRT, Flex Penang, Pentamaster Corporation and others, and aims to develop a talent pipeline aligned with the Penang 2030 Vision and the Penang STEM Blueprint.
