SINGAPORE, Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO),
National Instruments, and Science Centre Singapore today announced
the launch of a flagship initiative called the Science, Technology
and Engineering Exchange Laboratory (STEEL). The programme aims to
build the competencies of education officials, technical and
vocational teachers, and students in Southeast Asia countries
through hands-on laboratory workshop and curriculum development
training.
STEEL creates a platform for a
dynamic exchange of information, ideas and experiences amongst the
visiting lead trainers. It is jointly funded by UNESCO and National
Instruments, and fully backed by the Science Centre Singapore in
training expertise, venue, and overall workshop management.
"UNESCO's vision for STEEL is to
popularise science, technology, and engineering, and transfer
knowledge to emergent communities. The UNESCO Regional Bureau of
Science office located in Jakarta covers a region with more than 50
percent of the world population, with the highest population
densities, and the highest development challenges. Increasing
global challenges make it imperative for countries like Indonesia
and many others in Southeast Asia to have a strong science and
technology foundation that will drive sustainable human resource
and industrial development," says Dr Hubert Gijzen, Director of
Regional Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, UNESCO.
Early this year, UNESCO and Science
Centre Singapore have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
for Science education enhancement programmes in support of capacity
building across Asia-Pacific.
Commenting on the partnership,
Associate Professor Lim Tit Meng, Chief Executive of the Science
Centre Singapore, says: "Singapore has built a strong foundation in
Science and Technology over the decades and is poised to lead the
region in new technologies and advancements. We are eager to share
our knowledge and expertise in biotechnology, engineering and
information technology with the region.
"STEEL has a strong focus on
infrastructure engineering and sustainable technologies. Some of
the programmes we have established include visits to a power plant,
Renewable Energy workshops and Water Quality Monitoring programmes.
Our aim is for delegates to be able to apply the knowledge they
have gained in their communities," he adds.
National Instruments has come on
board in keeping with its commitment to inspire the next generation
of innovators. "Through STEEL, we aspire to create a sustainable
outreach programme where NI can play a key role in empowering
Southeast Asian countries with new and innovative technologies that
improve everyday life. We are looking forward to a successful pilot
implementation of STEEL this year, and to continuing our commitment
as partner of UNESCO and the Science Centre Singapore in organising
this event every year," says Chandran Nair, Managing Director of
National Instruments for ASEAN.
Over 40 teachers and government
education officials from Indonesia, Thailand, and Timor-Leste, as
well as participating educators from Singapore are expected to
attend the inaugural event.
At the workshops, the delegates will
learn how to conduct outreach programmes, organise national events
and develop relevant content for Science, technology and
Engineering education in their communities. They will be introduced
to NI's state-of-the-art laboratory technologies including LabVIEW,
and NI's graphical programming software and data acquisition
device, NI MyDAQ. They will also visit the Senoko Power Plant and a
local school, Woodgrove Secondary School. Woodgrove Secondary
School was the recipient of the Watermark Award 2010 and the
President's Award for the Environment in 2011.
Jessie
Lee
National
Instruments
+65-6226-5886
[email protected]
Masami
Nakata
Technology
– UNESCO
+62-21-7399818
[email protected]
Eunice
Choy
Science
Center Singapore
+65-6425-2372
[email protected]
Donna
Garcia/Josh Huin
+65 6221
8045
[email protected]
[email protected]