Sarawak,Malaysia; Monday.
The launching of our own astronaut in space and his tenure at the International Space Station sparked a national awakening. The awakening is the interest in astronomy, space science and aeronautics.
Even when Sheikh Muszapar [the astronaut] announced that he will continue his practice in medicine there are already various activities lined up for him. These activities and programmes are directly connected with his status as an astronauts. Top of the lists are lectures and meet the people sessions.
The Ministry Of Science, Technology and Innovation under the Honourable Minister, Datuk dr Jamaludin Jarjis, himself a scientist, have stepped up programmes such as providing additional equipments and technologies to various planetoriums nation-wide.
Meanwhile the Education Ministry Of Malaysia has arranged several study visits by students from all Secondary Schools in the Kuala Lumpur area to the National Space Centre. Other steps taken are to provide all secondary schools with tools such as telescopes and others that will enhance the student’s understanding of outer space.
The Education Ministry is also looking at ways to deepen interests in space science even while the pupils are at primary level. There will be minor changes in the syllabus and teachers needed to be given additional instructions.
The Housing Ministry have also chipped in ith its own contribution to make space science a national interests. Housing developers are given incentives such as giving house buyers free telescopes for the unit they bought.
The cabinet are still studying the offer by the Soviet Government to sell the Soyuz Spacecraft. Among the areas studied are the costs and it’s utilization once it is acquired.
Above all, says the government, up till now the Space Programme is money well-spent.
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