By Amy Dangin
Tenghilan students given locally produced Nanosocks
TENGHILAN: A toal of 1,150 students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tenghilan yesterday received a pair of Nanosocks each, a nano-technology inspired product locally invented and produced.
Handing over the Nanosocks at a briefing on nano-technology awareness, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Madius Tangau reminded students of the importance of mastering and applying science, technology and innovation, as opposed to being mere consumers of technology.
“We want the students to not only use science-based products but to also learn about them. It is the nation’s hope to be able to produce a generation that is able to produce its own technologies rather than merely becoming consumers,” said Tangau.
Science, he said, is not and should not be a difficult or boring subject. In fact, for students to master STEM subjects is highly encouraged as it will be useful for them in the future and will assist the nation in terms of medicine, technology and even global education.
“It has always been the ministry’s priority to instill science, technology and innovation (STI) among students in line with STEM education, having outlined various approaches and efforts to cultivate science, technology, engineering and mathematics among Malaysians.
“Hence, the introduction of nano-technology and its application in the nation’s textile industry is in line with the ministry’s and the nation’s mission of STEM,” he added.
The briefing and presentation ceremony yesterday was organized by NanoMalaysia Berhad, an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, distributing the Nanosocks which were sponsored by NanoTextile Sdn Bhd.
The distribution of the Nanosocks to the students yesterday hoped to serve as a medium to introduce to the students nano-technology applications so that they may see, feel and evaluate for themselves the benefits of applying nanotechnology.
“I’m proud of the Nanosocks, which is a locally initiated and produced product, something we hope would inspire the students. Nanosocks offers a lot of benefits for its users. Its anti-odour and sterilizing features are suitable for those living an active lifestyle like the students. It is also our hope that the use of Nanosocks among the students will be able to instill confidence in Malaysian innovated products,” said Madius.
Also present at the event yesterday were NanoMalaysia Berhad chief executive officer Dr Rezal Khairi Ahmad, SMK Tenghilan principal Justin Rompod, NanoTextile Sdn Bhd chairman Dato’ Dr. Cheng Kok Leong and NanoTextile Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Dr Ong Pohshing.