|     Syazwani Hj Rosli     |

THE first Brunei Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Game-Based Competition came to an end yesterday, with a prize presentation ceremony, at the Royal Brunei Recreation Club (RBRC) in Berakas.

It was jointly organised by the Science, Technology and Env-ironment Partnership (STEP) Centre under the Ministry of Education, together with Telekom Brunei Bernad (TelBru), a collaboration aimed to promote the development of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) among Brunei schoolchildren.

Present as the guest of honour at the event was the Deputy Minister of Education Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Bahrom bin Pengiran Haji Bahar.

In his welcoming remarks, David Kay, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TelBru said, “As the leading telecommunication provider in Brunei, TelBru needs STEM professionals to drive the industry.

Telecommunication itself is a diverse field of engineering, which is connected to electronics, civil, structural and electrical engineering.

Telecom engineering alone brings together electrical eng-ineering with computer science, to enhance telecomm-unication systems.

Today telephone, radio, television, satellite, computer networks, the internet and optical fibre require STEM-related skills in different shapes and forms.

“As we push more innovative ideas, products and services across the industry, there is even a pressing need for more young people who have the skill sets to be recruited in the industry.”

ABOVE & BELOW: The deputy minister handing over prizes to the students of Ma’had Islam Brunei (above), champion for Secondary Category, and St Andrew’s School, champion for Primary Category

 

In his speech, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Bahrom said that the Ministry of Education is currently preparing a framework for primary education, which is aimed at increasing scores of ‘C’ to ‘A’ in the PSR examinations by 90 per cent, by 2017.

He also urged the STEP Centre to continue exploring all relevant avenues which could help to improve scholastic achievements in STEM, in addition to boosting teaching-and-learning efficiency for schools across the country.

Later, the deputy minister toured an exhibition set up by participants in the STEM Game-Based Compeition, and presented prizes to the winning teams.

In the primary school category, St Andrew’s School emerged as overall champion for their project, ‘World of Multiplication and In Division’.

In second place was Panaga Primary School with their project, ‘Heart of Borneo’, while third place went to Katimahar Primary School, for ‘The Warrior Board’.

In the secondary school category, Ma’had Islam Brunei came in first place for their project, ‘Food Detective’.

Chung Hwa Middle School placed second with ‘Toxic Strike’, while Raja Isteri Girls High School came in third with ‘The Altered Universe’.

A forum with the theme of ‘Engaging and Inspiring Bruneian Students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)’ was also held yesterday, providing a platform for dis-cussion and inspiring students to pursue STEM careers.

The forum’s three panellists – Izyani binti Haji Brahim, the TelBru IT Project Manager; Stephanie Koh, the West Asset Reliability Lead from Brunei Shell Petroleum; and Haji Ali Yusri bin Abdol Ghafor, the Head of Counselling and Career Guidance Section at the Department of Schools at the Ministry of Education – shared personal stories of pursuing STEM education and careers with the audience, composed mainly of schoolchildren and their teachers.