Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok (2^nd from left), holding the signed MoU with Mr Yeoh Cheng Poh (2^nd from right), witnessed by Mr Lim Een Hong (extreme left), YB Senator Tuan Chong Sin Woon (3^rd from left), YB Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai (4^th from left) and Mr Skip Smith (extreme right).

Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai delivering his speech.

Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok emphasising TAR University College’s role in this collaboration.

Mr Yeoh Cheng Poh elaborating on the importance of STEM talents

Mr Skip Smith reiterating the call for STEM programmes.

Mr Lim Een Hong giving his closing speech.

All the VIPs with their tokens of appreciation.

A group photograph of all present together with the VIPs.

The VIPs having a Prosperity Toss after the MoU signing ceremony.

TAR University College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (‘MoU’) on 18 February 2016 with CM Asia Learning Pte Ltd (‘CM Asia Learning’) at the Ministry of Transport, Putrajaya, to formally establish a strategic collaboration with CM Asia Learning who is a distributor for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) developed by Robomatter and iCarnegie Global Learning in Asia Pacific. Via this collaboration, two STEM programmes will be made available for school students in Malaysia and they are STEM with Computer Science and STEM with Robotics. TAR University College will play the role of validating the results of assessed work in schools and jointly offer certification to students and to provide the STEM Educator Training and Certification programme to teachers to train them to teach STEM programmes. Eduspec Holdings Berhad is the appointed deployment agent by CM Asia Learning for the delivery of the STEM programmes. The MoU signing was officiated and witnessed by YB Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TARC Education Foundation and Board of Governors of TAR University College, who is also the President of Malaysian Chinese Association and Minister of Transport. Besides YB Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai, the other VIPs who were present to witness the signing ceremony were YB Senator Tuan Chong Sin Woon, Deputy Minister of Education II, Mr Skip Smith, President and CEO of Robomatter Incorporated and Mr Lim Een Hong, CEO of Eduspec Holdings Berhad. Meanwhile, YBhg Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok, President of TAR University College and Mr Yeoh Cheng Poh, CEO of CM Asia Learning, were there to sign the MoUs.

Datuk Dr Tan Chik Heok, the President of TAR University College spoke on the instrumental role TAR University College would be playing in promoting STEM programmes. “The MoU will pave the way for CM Asia Learning to make available STEM programmes by iCarnegie Global Learning and Robomatter to schools in Malaysia while TAR University College will complement by evaluating, assessing and jointly awarding certification with Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy to the teachers and students who have successfully completed the programme”.

Mr Yeoh Cheng Poh, CEO of CM Asia Learning, during his speech, talked about the importance of STEM talents. “In developed countries, companies are looking for STEM talents with critical thinking skills, creativity skills and team player attributes. However, the future of STEM education cannot only happen in the classroom. It is important for a tripartite collaboration between the community, experts and schools to implement a more cohesive experiential learning programme for students”.

In his speech, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai made a point that the MoU signing could not have come at a more opportune time. “This MoU signing will give STEM education a promising head start in Malaysia. Through this MoU, it will make provision for school students to pursue STEM-related certifications and to train teachers to be qualified STEM educators to deliver STEM programmes provided by this collaboration”.

Mr Skip Smith, President and CEO of Robomatter Incorporated, also reiterated the call for STEM programmes. “In the increasingly technical world, students have to be ready to compete in the global world. By bringing the cutting-edge STEM programmes to them, children are prepared to take on the future”.

Towards the end of the ceremony, there was an exchange of tokens of appreciation among the VIPs and a group photograph was taken thereafter. After that, all the guests proceeded for lunch and Prosperity Toss (commonly known as ‘yee sang’) in conjunction with Chinese New Year celebration and also to celebrate the newly-established partnership.