Space for all

The Star

7 days ago

Penang was chosen as the location for Malaysia's first cosmonaut school due to its thriving space enthusiast community and facilities like Tech Dome Penang, which will serve as the secretariat of the International Youth Space Academy (IYSA), says Malaysian astrophysicist Tan Sri Mazlan Othman.
'The state is also home to Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), which has its own space engineering programme, so the ecosystem is already ready,' she said.
Building on this, USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed highlighted the need to nurture students' interest and passion for space science and technology from an early age.
Integrating space education at an early stage could inspire students to pursue careers in areas such as aerospace engineering, satellite systems, remote sensing, and other space-related fields, he said.
Prof Abdul Rahman added that it is equally important to recognise space technology as a catalyst for everyday innovation.
'Advancements originally developed for space missions have the potential to benefit various sectors, including healthcare, communication, and environmental management,' he noted.
With new frontiers opening up, he said, space exploration will continue to create a diverse range of career opportunities for young Malaysians in fields such as astrobiology, aerospace engineering and space law.
Ensuring equitable access
While early nurturing is key, Datuk Nonee Ashirin believes that equal access is just as important.
For her, the mission to launch IYSA – a joint effort between the Nonee Ashirin Foundation (NAF) and CWC Enterprise Pte Ltd – is deeply personal.
'As both a mother and a leader, I feel a personal responsibility to ensure that no child is left behind simply because of where they were born.
'To me, it's about making sure that a child in rural Sabah or deep in the interiors of Kelantan has the same spark of opportunity as one in a top-tier school in Kuala Lumpur,' the NAF founder shared.
Nonee Ashirin envisions the IYSA as a pioneering hub where students from diverse backgrounds can see themselves thriving in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), aerospace and exploration fields.
Echoing her sentiments, National STEM Association president and founder Emerita Prof Datuk Dr Noraini Idris said space education must be both a moral and strategic priority for Malaysia.
'Rural and underrepresented communities in Malaysia often face systemic barriers – limited Internet access, under-resourced schools, under-trained teachers, and fewer role models in STEM fields,' she said.
If left unaddressed, she said these gaps will perpetuate inequalities in Malaysia's future workforce, hindering the nation's ability to fully realise its human capital potential.
'Space education should not be viewed as a luxury reserved for elite schools (such as boarding schools, international schools, and private schools), but rather as a national investment in talent development,' she said.
Partnerships with the private sector are vital if we are to level the playing field, Nonee Ashirin added.
'Private sector participation is not just welcomed – it's essential. We are working closely with Safran Helicopter Engines, the Royal Malaysian Air Force and more.
'We are truly looking forward to turning it into a model of how industry and education can come together to spark a national movement,' she said.
Shaping future leaders
Russian cosmonaut trainer Timofey Egorov, who will be helping to develop the IYSA curriculum, said the academy will expose students aged 10 to 15 to modules that combine physical conditioning, science and ethics – all regarded as essential qualities for future cosmonauts.
'In the curriculum, there will be three major modules – basics of a healthy lifestyle; space flight essentials; ethics and cosmism,' he shared.
One of the most transformative parts of the programme, Egorov highlighted, is the summer camp module.
'Living in nature 24/7, without parents, and having to care for yourself and others makes huge transformations in young minds. They become self-reliant, disciplined, and learn that the world around them is connected with them on a deep emotional and fundamental level,' he said.
To Mazlan, the IYSA is also about shaping future leaders who understand that space will be central to all aspects of life.
'This academy is not just about creating future space leaders, but future leaders because space is going to be an integral part of whatever we do in the future,' she said.
Looking ahead, Mazlan sees the IYSA becoming a regional hub for space education.
'We're focused on promoting the academy among Asean countries as it's affordable for families in the region to come to Penang.
'But we are also planning on approaching other countries with established space programmes as they may be interested in diversifying their training venue,' she concluded.