• Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares)
  • umcares@um.edu.my
  • 03-79677357
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UM Flagship Community Program

Discover STEM with UM Experts


Prof. Madya Ir. Dr. Mas Sahidayana Mohktar

UM STEM Centre | High Impact Research (HIR) Building

Cultivating the Next Generation of Scientists, Engineers, and Mathematicians

Bridging the gap between academic excellence and community engagement through hands-on STEM exploration.

The STEM Challenge

Declining Interest

Malaysia is facing a significant decrease in the number of students choosing STEM streams in secondary and tertiary education.

Perception Barrier

Students often perceive STEM subjects as overly difficult, theoretical, and disconnected from daily life applications.

Accessibility Gap

Rural and underserved communities lack exposure to advanced scientific equipment and expert-led hands-on learning experiences.

Program Objectives

Inspire & Engage

To spark curiosity and long-term interest in STEM through interactive, expert-led community workshops.

Practical Learning

To move beyond textbooks by providing hands-on experience with real-world scientific applications and experiments.

Expert Mentorship

To connect school students directly with UM experts, humanizing science and providing role models.

Sub-Project 1

MySTAR Club - STEM Exploration

Creating a vibrant ecosystem for STEM exploration among school students, fostering leadership and critical thinking skills through dedicated club activities.

Leader: PM Ir. Dr. Mas Sahidayana Mohktar
SDG 4: Quality Education SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Sub-Project 2

Chemical Sensors: From Lab to Community

Demonstrating how lab-based chemical sensor technology can solve real-world problems in water quality, environment, and public health for local communities.

Leader: ChM. Dr. Muhammad Ameerullah Sahudin
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure SDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing
Sub-Project 3

Learning Mathematics via Movement & Play

Revolutionizing mathematics education by integrating physical activity and gamification, making abstract concepts tangible and fun for young learners.

Leader: Dr. Jadeera Cheong Abdullah
SDG 4: Quality Education SDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing
Sub-Project 4

Marine Conservation Education

Assessing the impact of marine education programs in coastal regions like Mersing to foster environmental stewardship and biodiversity awareness.

Leader: Dr. Nor Aishah Abdullah
SDG 14: Life Below Water SDG 13: Climate Action
Sub-Project 5

Know Your Body, Know Your Medicine

A pharmacy-led initiative to increase health literacy among youth, focusing on safe medicine usage and understanding human biological systems.

Leader: Dr. Phan Chia Wei
SDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing SDG 4: Quality Education

Project Milestones (2025-2026)

Activity / PhaseTimeline / Status
Development of Hands-on STEM ModulesCOMPLETED
Stakeholder Discussions & Project PlanningCOMPLETED
Project Introduction to Targeted SchoolsIN PROGRESS
Implementation of Workshops, Seminars & STEM CampsOct 2025 - May 2026
Impact Assessment (Pre & Post Surveys)June 2026

Engagement Ecosystem

UM STEM Centre
Ministry of Education (MOE)
Targeted Secondary Schools
Industry Partners
Local Community Leaders
HIR Universiti Malaya

Last Update: 22/12/2025