Kuala lumpur: 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.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the programme is designed with a comprehensive approach that includes the organisation of the MSN Carnival in six targeted zones, including Lahad Datu, Sabah. Another key method involves the implementation of the Kembara Minggu Sains Negara (MSN Kembara) in rural schools through the Kembara Sains Borneo and Rehlah Sains programmes. Additionally, the MSN Sponsorship initiative (MSN Taja) aims to support government agencies, the private sector, and all stakeholders in promoting interest in science.
Mohammad Yusof highlighted that MSN is one of MOSTI’s strategic initiatives to bring science, technology, and innovation closer to the public, aligning with Malaysia’s aspiration to become a high-tech nation by 2030. Speaking to reporters after the launch, he emphasized that the MSN Carnival complements existing co-curricular activities in schools, offering a hands-on and interactive approach expected to attract visitors. As of the morning of the launch, over 200 school students had attended the MSN Carnival, indicating growing public awareness of science, technology, and innovation.
For students like Year Four pupil Amalania Mohd Ridhwan Wafi and Form Three student Qistina Nabila Jamri, the carnival provided an enjoyable and educational experience. Amalania was particularly thrilled to see the Dash robot in person, while Qistina gained new insights into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical field, expressing her hope for the continuation of such events.
Soffiah Harun, a teacher at a KEMAS preschool, noted that the carnival helps foster a love for science among young children through science literacy. She and her colleagues brought 17 children aged three and four to give them early exposure to science culture, despite being located over 100 kilometres from the city.
The programme featured a variety of activities, including 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 support from the National Planetarium, the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Petrosains Discovery Centre Sdn Bhd, and main sponsor Yayasan MR DIY.