RECSAM News_Jan-Apr 2020

2 RECSAM News Vol. 50 - No. 3 RECSAM Inks MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology Short Courses for Students from Benchamaracharungsarit School, Thailand Workshop on“Sustainability and Ecobricks: How Can You Get Involved?” RECSAM recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Philippines. The signing ceremony was held at SEAMEO RECSAM, Penang on 6 February 2020. The objective of this MoU signing ceremony aims to collaborate on joint research and educational projects; training programmes; exchange of publications, academic materials, and other information; exchange of academic, researchers, technical and administrative staff; and to promote any other co-operation of mutual interest. The MoU document was signed by the Centre Director, Dr. Suhaidah Tahir and Dr. Sukarno D. Tanggol, Chancellor of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology and was witnessed by Dr. Mariam Binti Othman, Deputy Director (Research & Development) of SEAMEO RECSAM and Dr. Amelia T. Buan, Dean, College of Education. Also present in the signing ceremony were the management and professional staff of RECSAM. TWO BATCHES of five-day courses on “ Enhancing 21 st Century Learning through Science and Mathematics ” was conducted by RECSAM for students from Benchamaracharungsarit School, Thailand from 13 to 17 January 2020 and 20 to 24 January 2020 respectively. These short courses were aimed to engage the participants with the various active learning strategies to make sense of science, mathematics, technology and engineering so as to cultivate interest in these disciplines and develop scientific and mathematical/quantitative literacy as well as to motivate them to pursue careers in science, mathematics, technology and engineering. The course was activity-oriented and stressed on active involvement of participants in group discussions and demonstrations on various active learning strategies as well as ICT skills. Some major topics conducted in the workshop included Problem-based learning in Science and Mathematics, Exploring Science and Technology through toy making, Exploring Mathematics through hands- on activities and ICT-based Science and Mathematics learning. These courses received a total of 131 participants, 64 students and 6 teachers for the first batch intake and 56 students and 5 teachers for the second batch intake. A TRAINING WORKSHOP on “ Sustainability and Ecobricks: How Can You Get Involved? ” was held at RECSAM on 16 January 2020. The workshop was conducted by Dr. Choong Jian Ming from Aimpactz Social Enterprise that primarily focuses on sustainability and cerates positive impact. Through this workshop, Dr. Ming introduced the concepts of sustainability and Ecobricks, a simple, low-tech solution that empowers individuals to take charge of his/her own plastics. A total of 31 (thirty-one) RECSAM staff participated in the workshop. Partnership goes on Students during the hands-on activity & group photo session One for the album