Some 1,300 participants expected at SPIC 2022
MIRI: Sarawak Preschool International Convention (SPIC) 2022 will be held on Aug 26-28 here, in a hybrid physical and virtual manner.
It is expected to be attended by some 1,300 registered participants.
Themed ‘Adaptability and Resilience in The New Norm’, this convention is held in collaboration with the Sarawak Early Childhood Education Development Council (MPAKS) and supported by other government and nongovernmental organisations to elevate early childhood education.
“300 participants will be attending physically and another 1,000 online under this hybrid convention this year but more can follow it online,” said Deputy Minister of Women and Childhood Development Datuk Rosey Yunus at a press conference here yesterday.
The inaugural Sarawak Preschool International Convention on Oct 1-3, 2021 themed ‘Character Building In The New Norm’ was held in Kuching last year and was attended by 2,180 teachers and caregivers.
Rosey said early childhood education is an important foundation in building an excellent and quality human capital and this international convention will consist of one keynote address, four paper presentations and two experience sharing forums.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will officiate at the opening ceremony of the event at Grand Ballroom, Pullman Waterfront Hotel here on Aug 26.
Rosey urged all educators, caregivers and, parents, even the public who are interested in early childhood education, to join the convention which is aimed at enhancing educators’ knowledge, understanding, and skills on the challenges of early childhood care and education in the new norm.
It also provides the opportunity for educators, caregivers and parents to build their networks and share their experiences and best practices.
Registration for the convention will open by next week, but for those who might not have the opportunity to register they can also participate through live-streaming at Sarawak Early Childhood Development CouncilMPAKS Facebook page.
The keynote address, with the topic ‘Adaptability and Resilience in The New Norm’, will be delivered by Dato Dr Amar-Singh HSS, senior consultant paediatrician and advisor at National Early Childhood Intervention Council (NECIC).
This session will be moderated by Datu Dr Rashidah Bolhassan, permanent secretary of Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak (KPWK), while the moderator is Associate Professor Dr Siti Zaliha Reduan, lecturer at iCATS University College, MPAKS member and Board of Directors member for SeDidik Sdn Bhd.
Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Aminah Ayob (Malaysia), senior research fellow and National Child Development Research Centre advisor at Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) will deliver her paper headlined ‘Developing 21st Century Skills’.
Anika Saxena (Hong Kong) from Department of Early Childhood Education, The Education University of Hong Kong will deliver her paper ‘ICT for Early Childhood Care and Education: Helping Tools?’ The session will be moderated by Salina Bujang, principal assistant secretary, KPWK and Board of Directors member of SeDidik Sdn Bhd.
The third paper ‘Early Childhood Care and Education: Learning Beyond the Classroom Walls’ will be presented by Dr Jayson Cooper (Australia), a co-coordinator of Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching and Early Childhood Studies lecturer.
This session will be moderated by Edmund Shah Tambi, deputy director of Aminuddin Baki Institute.
The fourth paper ‘Physically and Mentally Healthy Children’ will be by Professor Emerita Dr Venita Kaul (India), founder director of Centre for Early Childhood Education and Development (CECED) at the Ambedkar University, Delhi and will be moderated by Anis Alisya Abdullah, director of Institute of Teacher Education, Tun Razak Campus of Sarawak.
The first experience sharing forum ‘Children With Disabilities And The Challenges They Faced In The New Norm’ will feature panellists Associate Professor Dr Hasnah Toran, The National University of Malaysia (UKM); Olivia Penna, The University of Melbourne, Australia and Anne Sivanathan, founder of Inclusive Outdoor Classroom.
This session will be moderated by Ng Kui Choo, honorary secretary, Sarawak Society of Parents with Special Needs (Pibakat).
For the second forum ‘Professional Development Of Early Childhood Practitioners’, the panellists are Maria Olga William, educator from Tadika SeDidik Batugong; Siti A’isyah Mohamad, educator from Tadika SeDidik Semariang; Elizabeth Chua, Centre Leaders, Preschool By The Park, Singapore and Nisa Kamelia Rohaizat, educator, Preschool By The Park, Singapore. This session will be moderated by Jason Kong Jin Nian, president of Association of Kindergarten Operators of Sarawak (AKO) and MPAKS member.