IMCD supports STEM Education in Indonesia
IMCD Indonesia's "Stem4Youth" programme was launched in collaboration with YCAB Foundation, a reputable Non-Government Organisation in Indonesia since 1999 that focused on improving the education of underprivileged youth and the welfare of mothers. This cooperation shows our commitment to promoting STEM education in a six-year programme - education support for 25 students for two years and a 4-year scholarship for the top student.
Indonesia is one of Asia's most populous countries, with more than 250 million people. Even in big cities, providing equal access to all is still a challenge. One of the main problems is the high tuition fee. Parents with low income cannot afford school fees and are more concerned with the needs of their daily lives.
The integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines in schools will provide students with authentic experiences in solving real-world problems. IMCD wants to improve access to quality education for underprivileged children and women and promote STEM education to all. The Stem4Youth programme covers the student's basic education needs, health kits and basic food needs.
The United Nations designated 21 April as World Creativity and Innovation Day to raise awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in all aspects of human development. The concept is open to interpretation from artistic expression to problem-solving in the context of economic, social and sustainable development. In the spirit of World Creativity and Innovation Day, we invited the students from the programme to implement STEM key skills in solving the social or environmental issues around them. Some of it relates to problem-solving, creativity, critical analysis, teamwork, et cetera.
"We are honoured to support the Stem4Youth programme, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education. It's also amazing to see the creativity and innovation from the students to tackle the social or environmental issues around them using STEM education," said Adelia Sia, Managing Director of IMCD Indonesia.
Students in the YCAB learning centre are divided into six groups during the competition and exhibition to create their STEM projects. The projects are varied from aromatherapy candles from used cooking oil to organic pesticides produced from bintaro fruit and mangrove plants originating from tropical areas in Asia, Australia, Madagascar, and the islands of the western Pacific Ocean. We hope the STEM activities can lead the students to cool innovations and real-world applications.