Penang leads the way with 129 MakerLabs in schools

Collective efforts and collaborative initiatives have propelled the Penang to the forefront in education, supporting its goal of becoming a high-income state.

Today, Penang boasts a remarkable total of 129 schools equipped with MakerLabs, surpassing the combined total of such schools across the rest of Malaysia.

This achievement underscores Penang’s commitment to fostering 21st-century skills among its students.

MakerLabs: Fostering innovation and collaboration

MakerLabs, maker spaces equipped with various learning tools, software, and hardware, are designed to help students acquire critical skills in today’s digital age.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow highlighted that the success of this initiative reflects the effective collaboration between the state government, industry players, communities, and schools.

“MakerLabs have enabled tens of thousands of students each year to learn and practice essential technical skills such as coding, embedded systems, 3D design, and 3D printing,” said Chow.

“Students have used their creativity and innovation to build projects, solve problems, and compete at state, national, and international levels.”

The Penang Science Cluster (PSC) has played a pivotal role in ensuring that schools maintain close connections with industry experts, offering students early exposure to real-world applications.

Through teamwork on projects, students also develop important soft skills such as creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.

Launch of the advanced MakerLab programme in Penang

Responding to the growing demand for more challenging projects, the PSC has launched the “Advanced MakerLab” programme.

Announced at a ceremony at ViTrox Technologies Sdn Bhd in Batu Kawan, this initiative involves 10 organisations and one school alumnus sponsoring 18 secondary schools to develop innovative projects for a year-end competition in Penang.

PSC chief executive officer Datuk Ooi Peng Ee explained, “The selected schools will undertake technically challenging projects, guided by engineers from sponsoring multinational companies.

This six-month programme will prepare the students for a competition during the Penang International Science Fair in November.”

Setting up a MakerLab in a school costs around RM60,000 on average, though this varies depending on the number of students.

The first MakerLab in Penang was established in 2017, marking the beginning of a significant educational transformation in the state.

Penang’s commitment to advancing education through initiatives like MakerLabs and the Advanced MakerLab programme is setting a new standard for other states to follow.

Chow, along with PSC board member and state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, Penang Education Department director Datuk Abdul Said Hussain, and ViTrox president and chief executive officer Datuk Chu Jenn Weng, continue to champion these efforts.

As Penang moves forward, the integration of industry expertise and advanced educational tools promises to equip students with the skills necessary for success in the modern world.

The collaboration between the state government, educational institutions, and industry leaders exemplifies the potential for public-private partnerships to drive significant positive change in education.

By continuing to innovate and invest in its students, Penang is not only enhancing its educational landscape but also paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous future.

Source: Buletin Mutiara