LAHAD DATU, July 10 (Bernama) — The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) is targeting over 300,000 participants for the National Science Week (MSN) 2025 programme.
Deputy Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal said the programme featured over 100 engaging activities centred on science, technology and innovation.
“This year, MOSTI will continue organising MSN with a more comprehensive and targeted approach through three main methods, including the organisation of the MSN Carnival in six targeted zones, among them Lahad Datu, Sabah.
“The second method involves implementing the Kembara Minggu Sains Negara (MSN Kembara) in rural schools through the Kembara Sains Borneo and Rehlah Sains programmes, while the third is the MSN Sponsorship initiative (MSN Taja), which supports government agencies, the private sector and all stakeholders in cultivating interest in science,” he said.
He said this in his speech when officiating the Sabah Zone MSN Carnival at Dewan Perdana here today.
Mohammad Yusof said MSN was among MOSTI’s strategic initiatives to bring science, technology and innovation closer to the people, in line with Malaysia’s aspiration to become a high-tech nation by 2030.
Speaking to reporters after the launch, he said the MSN Carnival complements existing co-curricular activities in schools.
“The hands-on and interactive approach is expected to attract visitors. As of this morning, it is understood that over 200 school students have attended the MSN Carnival. This shows growing public awareness of science, technology and innovation,” he said.
Year Four pupil Amalania Mohd Ridhwan Wafi described her visit to the carnival as enjoyable, particularly due to her strong interest in science at school.
“I came here with five friends and a teacher. We got to see the Dash robot, which we’ve learnt about in class. Before this, I had only seen it on the phone but today I saw it in person,” she said.
For Form Three student Qistina Nabila Jamri of Sekolah Menengah Sains (SMS) Lahad Datu, the carnival provided her with new insights into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical field.
“I’m really interested in science at school. I got the highest marks in our recent test. Studying science isn’t just about being smart; it also teaches us survival skills. I hope events like this will continue,” she said.
Soffiah Harun, a teacher at the Community Development Department (KEMAS) preschool in Kampung Telisai, Tungku here, said the MSN Carnival could help foster a love for science among children through science literacy.
“My colleagues and I brought 17 children, aged three and four, to the carnival to give them early exposure to science culture.
“Our school is located more than 100 kilometres from the city. We left school at 7.50 am and reached here by 9.20 am. The kids were really happy with all the science, technology and innovation activities at the carnival,” she said.
Among the interesting activities held during the programme were Science Trivia, World of the Mind, Ai4Belia, Insect Lab: Touch, Learn, Discover, and a talk titled “Ceritera Sebalik Radas: Teknologi Kepintaran Buatan Kawan@Lawan”.
The MSN was organised with the support of the National Planetarium, the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Petrosains Discovery Centre Sdn Bhd, and main sponsor Yayasan MR DIY.
