THE Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) will be organising a Techlympics competition in 2022 to encourage young innovators to generate ideas and prototypes based on the IR4.0 technology.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba (picture) said the competition is to conceptualise experiential learning to foster awareness, interest, the creation of ideas and the application of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
It is open to students and youths aged seven to 30 years old nationwide.
Techlympics will touch on the 10-10 Science, Technology, Innovation and Economics (MySTIE) framework.
This includes computing and microcomputing, the Internet of Things, robotics, drones, mathematics, creative design and animation, and 3D printing and development.
“Mosti encourages the younger generation to shift towards the creation of solutions as well as problem-solving using what they have learned in class and innovative changes that can improve the lifestyle and standard of living of the community,” Dr Adham said.
He added that STEM is important in developing highly skilled talent to support future high-tech economic growth.
Currently, the country’s STEM stream adoption is at 47.18% rate compared to the Art stream with 52.82%.
“Therefore, it is critical to uplift the STEM education and inculcates the talent with these skills to facilitate the country excel in both areas,” he said.
Among the supporting partners for Techlympics include Microsoft Corp, Altair, Petrosains, Sasbadi Holdings Bhd, Malaysia Digital Economy Corp #MyDigitalMaker, Cyberview Sdn Bhd and JomWeb.
Earlier, two agencies under Mosti — Technology Park Malaysia (TPM) and the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre — have merged to form the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI).
MRANTI will facilitate the process of idea generation through and commercialisation of technology and innovation.
Expected to begin operation in January 2022, MRANTI will serve as a one-stop agency with resources to support technology development, market access, prototyping and testing, funding, facilitation and more.
TPM CEO Dzuleira Abu Bakar said MRANTI aims to bring discoveries out of the laboratories and into real life to unlock more socio-economic value.
The formation is in line with the country’s mission to become a high-tech and high-income nation that is globally competitive.
“MRANTI will link the web of partnerships within and outside the ecosystem to catalyse the technology and innovation agenda.
“We are looking creatively at ways to spur the development of products and solutions which can be more affordable, available and accessible towards improving the quality of life for all Malaysians,” she said.
In Budget 2022, the government has allocated RM423 million for both Mosti and the Higher Education Ministry for the acceleration of research and development activities, and another RM30 million to implement TPM’s International Innovation Hub.
The “Road to Malaysia Techlympics” campaign will be held for one month from Nov 11 until Dec 10.
Those interested can register via www.techlympics.my.