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Recently, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), in collaboration with Women in Tech Malaysia, BP Malaysia, and Accenture Malaysia, hosted the STEM for Girls Graduation Ceremony; celebrating the successful completion of a STEM development programme involving approximately 360 female students aged 11 to 16 from five schools across the Klang Valley.

The participating schools included Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Serdang Baru 1, SJKC Serdang Baru 2, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Perempuan Taman Petaling, SMK Perempuan Pudu, and SMK Perempuan Methodist Kuala Lumpur.

Led by Ir Ts Subhashini Gopal Krishnan (Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering at APU) and Ms Subaashnii Suppramaniam (Head, Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning at APU, and Senior Lecturer, School of Marketing and Management at APU), with support from lecturers across various Schools within APU, the ceremony brought together students, educators, and industry professionals to encourage greater interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, while providing them with opportunities to explore emerging technologies, innovation, and potential career pathways within STEM-related fields. 

Opening the Way for future STEM Talent

The ceremony commenced with an opening address by Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice-Chancellor of APU, who welcomed participants, while emphasising the importance of empowering young women to pursue opportunities in STEM.

He highlighted the value of providing young learners with meaningful exposure to technology and innovation, particularly in encouraging them to recognise the diverse possibilities available within STEM education and future careers.

This was followed by remarks from Ms Chiang Ching Wan, Vice President of Digital Delivery and Head of Technology at BP Malaysia, and Ms Yuki Aizawa, Asia Pacific Director and Malaysia Country Director of Women in Tech, who shared insights into the importance of digital transformation, innovation, and greater female representation within technology-related fields.

Their messages reinforced the value of initiatives that introduce young women to STEM from an early stage, while encouraging them to develop the curiosity, confidence, and skills needed to explore an increasingly technology-driven future.

Exploring STEM through Hands-On learning

Following the opening session, participants explored interactive demonstrations and innovation displays presented by lecturers across various Schools within APU.

Through hands-on engagement, participants were introduced to areas including robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), digital innovation, and engineering applications.

The activities provided opportunities for participants to see how concepts encountered in STEM education can be applied to real-world challenges, while encouraging them to ask questions, explore new ideas, and develop their interest in technology.

In addition, lecturers across various Schools within APU conducted a series of STEM workshops that provided participants with practical learning experiences.

The sessions encouraged participants to apply problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity when exploring different challenges and developing possible solutions, while gaining a broader understanding of how STEM knowledge can contribute to different industries and areas of innovation.

Industry engagement further complemented the learning experience, with representatives from BP Malaysia and Accenture Malaysia sharing insights into the growing demand for STEM talent across areas such as digital transformation, sustainability, and innovation.

Their involvement provided participants with a closer understanding of how STEM capabilities are applied within professional environments, and the opportunities available to those pursuing technology-related careers.

Encouraging future STEM Leaders

The ceremony concluded with a closing address by Ms Nicole Lee, Managing Director and SAP Business Group Lead at Accenture Malaysia, who encouraged participants to continue exploring opportunities in STEM and to develop the confidence to contribute towards innovation and positive change.

Her message provided an encouraging conclusion to the ceremony, reinforcing the importance of curiosity, continuous learning, and a willingness to explore new possibilities. 

Supporting Greater Participation in STEM

Overall, the ceremony provided a meaningful platform for participants to engage with STEM, while gaining greater awareness of the possibilities available through continued learning and exploration.

By bringing together education, industry, and community partners, the ceremony also demonstrated the value of creating accessible opportunities that can encourage more young people to consider STEM as part of their future; contributing towards broadening participation in STEM and supporting a more diverse pool of talent across technology-driven industries.