MOSTI To Expand Nuclear Advocacy Prog To Primary Schools

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) intends to expand the Nuclear Advocacy Programme to primary school level through collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE), to increase understanding of nuclear technology from a young age.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Chang Lih Kang said early exposure was important to form an accurate understanding of nuclear technology as well as instilling students' interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

He said the public's understanding of nuclear technology needed to be further strengthened to ensure that the technology was evaluated based on its benefits and scientific applications, not just associated with weapons or destruction.

"When nuclear is mentioned, many people immediately imagine risks and destruction, whereas nuclear technology has various benefits and is used in many fields including health, agriculture, industry, energy and the environment.

"That is why we want the community, especially the younger generation, to understand nuclear technology based on facts and knowledge so that inaccurate perceptions can be corrected," he said in a statement issued after the MOSTI Monthly Assembly today.

At the event, he also completed the Nuclear Advocacy Kick Off to Bioeconomy Corporation as a strategic partner, while the Malaysian Nuclear Agency, the Atomic Energy Department and the National Science Centre acted as implementing partners.

He said that to date, the Nuclear Advocacy Programme had been implemented in 12 locations nationwide, while describing the programme as being in line with the National Nuclear Technology Policy (DTNN) 2030 which supports the development and use of nuclear technology in a safe, secure and responsible manner for the well-being of the people, as well as the progress of the country.

-- BERNAMA