The UK government is overhauling its school curriculum to make science lessons less "Western" focused. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson launched an independent review of the curriculum in July, citing that the current one is outdated. The review aims to reflect the diversity of British society and include non-Western contributions to science. Top science bodies, including the Royal Society of Biology and Institute of Physics, have submitted evidence recommending that pupils learn about the historical context of scientific discoveries and how different cultures contributed to them. They also suggest avoiding a "no more heroes" approach to teaching science, which would focus on local and diverse figures rather than just Western ones. The review is being chaired by Professor Becky Francis, who has researched educational inequalities.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14238989/School-science-lessons-Westernised-highlight-discoveries-cultures-woke-Labour-overhaul-curriculum.htmlThe Thai government is launching several initiatives to enhance digital literacy, bridge the digital divide, and improve safety in digital interactions. The National Digital Economy and Society Commission (BDE) has developed the DE-fence Platform, which identifies suspicious calls and SMS messages in real-time by integrating databases from telecom operators, the Royal Thai Police, and other agencies. The platform also includes a public education campaign to raise awareness about emerging scam tactics and equips citizens with practical knowledge to recognize and avoid online fraud. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is also driving the Paperless Initiative through the Government Central Cloud System (GDCC), which enhances operational efficiency across government agencies, benefiting over one million users. Additionally, National Telecom (NT) is offering New Year promotions, including free calls and SMS across NT networks, broadband discounts, and international call exemptions. The Ministry is also advancing the "1 District, 1 IT Person" project to ensure that every district across Thailand has access to a trained IT professional who can assist with digital tools and problem-solving. The Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) has launched the Smart PDPA application, equipped with features like identity verification through ThaID, cookie management tools, PDF encryption, and secure data-sharing capabilities. Furthermore, the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), Big Data Institute (BDI), and Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) are offering free training programmes on AI Prompt Engineering, digital entrepreneurship, online safety, and advanced digital skills for various sectors. The Meteorological Department has also launched the TMD Weather Application, which provides precise weather forecasts, location-specific alerts, and data covering up to 126 days in advance. These initiatives aim to reduce costs, ensure seamless connectivity during the festive season, and drive Thailand's digital transformation goals effectively.
https://opengovasia.com/2024/12/28/digital-transformation-thailands-nine-key-initiatives-for-2025/The Sime Darby Young Innovators Challenge (SDYIC) 2024 National Championship was held at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), where three teams secured top prizes with innovative solutions to local challenges. Team XVJ Dev from Sabah developed a gamified learning application for mathematics, while Team Epic Production from Melaka created an automatic fire alarm system and Team Innoventures from the Royal Military College designed a water surge warning system using buoy technology. Each team received RM30,000 innovation grants to refine their projects, which aim to address community needs, improve safety, and enhance educational opportunities. The event also awarded special recognitions, including Best Presenter Awards and the Favourite Innovation Award.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2024/11/22/innovative-minds-sabah-melaka-and-rmc-teams-shine-in-national-sime-darby-young-innovators-challenge/157636