Women urged to pursue STEM fields

SUNGAI PETANI: Female undergraduates should pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-related fields to stay competitive in future.

The prime minister’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, said it was worrying that fewer students were opting for science streams in universities, despite STEM being the pillar of the country’s development.

She said based on the “Science and Technology Human Capital Direction: Towards 2020” report, the number of students enrolling in STEM was declining annually, adding that this trend was worrying.

As such, Rosmah urged female undergraduates to take up the STEM challenge, and meet the government’s target to increase the ratio of students in STEM streams from 20:80 to 60:40.

“One of the challenges in achieving a developed country status in the 21st century is the mastery of STEM subjects. Realising the industrial-world shift towards STEM, we need to churn out sound human capital in this field to meet the country’s needs 25 years from now. Hence, we need serious commitment from all parties to produce more graduates from STEM streams.”

She said this in her keynote address at the “Siswi Cinta Negara” convention at Universiti Teknologi Mara’s Merbok branch here yesterday. Present was Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah.

Rosmah said university students should step out of their comfort zone by acquiring new sets of skills.

She said Industry 4.0 outlined the importance of the 4C Elements; Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving, Communication, Collaboration and Creativity.

She said these skills should be polished and practised in every aspect of life, be it in studies, sports or social activities, among others.

She said the ability of undergraduates and young women to master the latest technology would be important for them to stay competitive.

“I encourage female undergraduates to be brave in enhancing their ability and use digital technology to improve themselves and in their future undertakings.”