Rosmah to receive STEM Hero award at UN HQ

Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, will be presented with the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Hero Award during the international launch of the Global STEM Alliance at the United Nations headquarters here on Monday.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said the international award was in recognition of Rosmah's contribution to early childhood education and development in Malaysia.

The award will be handed over by the Chancellor of the State University of New York, Nancy Zimpher.

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Academy of Sciences Ellis Rubinstein and President of Global Partnerships Forum Amir Dossal are expected to attend the launch of the Global STEM Alliance.

The Global STEM Alliance is designed to connect students from around the world through a collaborative digital platform and social learning network.

It will bring world-class curriculum and mentoring to students of all ages to meet national needs in the areas of high-skill jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

This initiative aims to meet the critical need for economic development with the creation of STEM literacy and inspire young people to choose STEM as an interest and for employment.

It has been part of the Malaysian government's ongoing efforts since 2000 to transform Malaysia into a high-income economy through enhancing Malaysia’s capabilities in science and innovation.

Rosmah has been spearheading the PERMATA programmes since 2007 by providing quality education in an enjoyable environment for pre-school children from the age of four.

The programmes are based on pre-school education in developed countries, such as the United States, France, Australia and New Zealand, which have been adjusted to the local culture and national education philosophy.

With the concept that every child in Malaysia is a precious gem of the country, the children are aided in exploring their full potential.

There are six programmes under PERMATA – PERMATA Negara, PERMATA Pintar, PERMATA Insan, PERMATA Seni, PERMATA Remaja and PERMATA Kurnia - that benefit not only pre-school children but also primary and secondary school children as well as teenagers.

There are more than 80 PERMATA Negara centres which provide pre-school education throughout Malaysia.

Rosmah will be here accompanying Najib on a working visit from Sept 20 to 28.

She is scheduled to attend a high tea with the PERMATA Pintar alumni at a hotel here on Sunday.

She will deliver a speech at the New York Academy of Sciences here on the same day.

Rosmah is also scheduled to participate in the First Ladies Global Call to Action Conference to be held at the United Nations headquarters here on Thursday.

She will also attend a panel discussion at the Asia Society here on Friday. - Jamaluddin Muhammad