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
Masami Nakata
Technology – UNESCO
+62-21-7399818
Eunice Choy
Science Center Singapore
+65-6425-2372
Donna Garcia/Josh Huin
+65 6221 8045