Yayasan PETRONAS Contributes RM8 Million to Enhance Science Labs and Promote STEM learning

_{Datuk Haji Azman Haji Adnan, the Director-General of the Ministry of Education (center) and Shariah Nelly Francis, CEO Yayasan PETRONAS (2^nd from right) at the Program Duta Guru Symbolic Handover of Contribution for the Science Laboratory Improvement Initiative in Putrajaya.}

PUTRAJAYA, May 7 (Bernama) -- Yayasan PETRONAS recently contributed RM8 million towards the enhancement of science labs for 100 schools under its flagship education programme, Program Duta Guru (PDG).

The contribution aims to create a conducive learning environment to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) including provision of essential laboratory equipment and trainings for laboratory assistants.

At a symbolic handover ceremony to the Ministry of Education (MoE), its Director-General Datuk Haji Azman Haji Adnan said, “This initiative will ensure that school science labs are well-equipped for STEM activities, with laboratory tools such as fume hoods, digital microscopes and ripple tanks provided.”

The handover ceremony was held in conjunction with the commencement of the PDG Cohort 6. Under PDG, the programme aims to equip teachers with the knowledge, skills and mindset to become highly effective in the STEM field. The enhancement of science labs is envisioned to support PDG in encouraging greater interest and enhancing students’ competency in the STEM field.

Yayasan PETRONAS CEO Shariah Nelly Francis shared, "We are hopeful that our contribution towards the enhancement of science labs will enable teacher to better deliver engaging lessons that can effectively promote students’ exploration in STEM. This fully supports our Program Duta Guru which aims to train and coach teachers to better integrate STEM into classroom.”

This year, PDG Cohort 6 recorded the highest enrolment of over 800 Duta Guru or teacher ambassadors. Upon completion of the two-year programme, Duta Guru will have the opportunity to apply for the Duta Guru Fund of up to RM20,000 to carry out STEM-related projects within their school or community.

To date, PDG has 901 Duta Guru graduates from 145 districts across the nation, including 27 who have received the Duta Guru funding.

Recruitment for Cohort 7 will open from July to September 2025 for STEM teachers nationwide, equipping them with the skills to deliver high-quality STEM education.

SOURCE: Yayasan PETRONAS

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Yayasan PETRONAS
Name: Lim Shie-Lynn
Tel: +60 12 304 3389
Email: shielynn.lim@petronas.com.my

Name: Low Jia Yin
Tel: +60 12 385 8631
Email: low.jiayin@petronas.com

--BERNAMA