NEW YORK, Sept 23 – Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor was awarded the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Hero Award at the launch of the Global STEM Alliance at the United Nations headquarters, here, Monday (Tuesday in Malaysia).
The international award was given to the Malaysian prime minister’s wife in recognition of her contribution to early childhood education and development in Malaysia.
The award was presented by the Chair of the President Council of the New York Academy of Sciences, Nancy Zimpher, who is also the Chancellor of the State University of New York.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Academy of Sciences, Ellis Rubenstein, and President of the Global Partnerships Forum, Amir Dossal, attended the event.
The Global STEM Alliance is designed to connect students from around the world through a collaborative digital platform and social learning network.
The Global STEM Alliance will bring world-class curriculum and mentoring to students of all ages to meet national needs in the areas of high-skilled jobs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
This initiative aims to meet the critical need for economic development with the creation of STEM literacy and inspire young people to choose STEM as an interest and for employment.
It has been part of the Malaysian government’s ongoing efforts since 2000 to transform Malaysia into a high-income economy through enhancing Malaysia s capabilities in science and innovation.
Rosmah has been spearheading the PERMATA programmes since 2007 by providing quality education in a fun environment for pre-school children from the age of four.
The programmes are based on children’s pre-school education in developed countries, such as the United States, France, Australia and New Zealand, that have been tailored to the local culture and national education philosophy.
With the concept that every child in Malaysia is a precious gem of the country, they were aided to explore their full potential.
There are six programmes under PERMATA, namely PERMATA Negara, PERMATA Pintar, PERMATA Insan, PERMATA Seni, PERMATA Remaja and PERMATA Kurnia, that benefit not only pre-school children but also primary and secondary school children as well as teenagers.
There are more than 80 PERMATA Negara centres which provide pre-school education throughout the country.
Speaking to Malaysian media later, Rosmah said the award was not for herself alone but also for all those who had worked for the success of the PERMATA programmes.
The award is not for me alone but also (those) others who have worked hard for the programmes, she said.
Asked what Najib, who was sitting next to her, said after she got the award, Rosmah said the prime minister told her, ‘Congratulations. I am proud of you’.
– BERNAMA
