A nationwide initiative is revolutionising STEM education for Tamil National-Type Schools (SJKT) in Malaysia. The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Literary Empowerment Initiative, known as Ariviyal Ainthiram has already benefited nearly 79,000 students from 525 SJKTs, igniting a growing interest in science and innovation among Tamil school students.
The programme implemented by the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC) and funded by a RM698,227 grant from the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA), is designed to foster a deeper understanding and passion for STEM subjects through engaging educational materials and nationwide competitions.
MITRA Special Task Force Committee chairman P.Prabakaran shared that the initiative is being carried out in two major phases, running from October 2023, to July 2025. The first component includes the distribution of Petri Dish newspaper, a science, focused publications to all SJKTs, complete with a Tamil-language STEM literacy insert, aimed at making complex scientific concepts more accessible and relatable to students.
One of the programme’s standout features is the “Who Wants to Be a Scientist?” competition, which drew over 2,000 participants nationwide. The final round, held at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), featured 90 top-performing students competing in an interactive science quiz judged by academic experts from local universities. The contest not only challenged the students knowledge but also showcased their critical thinking and enthusiasm for science.
YB Prabakaran noted that the success of the initiative reflects the importance of proper grant application and execution. There were many who failed to secure the MITRA grant as they did not follow the basic guidelines, but he stated that MABIC has proven that when application process is done in the right way, the programme is implemented effectively, the results can be impressive.
MABIC’s Executive Director, Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan, expressed her gratitude to MITRA for their support and stressed the broader vision of the programme.
“MABC not only aims to deliver the newspaper to Tamil schools, but also want it to be read and fully utilised. From there, we hope it will spark greater interest in STEM and encourage students to seek out other STEM-related resources”, she explained.
“We also want SJKT students to understand that STEM fields are increasingly becoming viable and attractive career choices, and we want to prepare them for that”.
As Malaysia looks to build a future-ready generation equipped with technological knowledge and scientific literacy, the Ariviyal Ainthiram initiative stands out as a shining example for how targeted efforts and strategic collaboration can empower underrepresented communities and drive meaningful change in education.
Sources: Bernama
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