Victoria appoints ambassador for STEM education
Victorian Minister for Education James Merlino has signalled a commitment to a science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in his state, through the appointment of Dr Tien Kieu as the Victorian Government Ambassador for STEM Education.
The position was created as part of the government’s Education State reforms, intended to strengthen STEM learning across the state.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr Kieu to the role of STEM Education Ambassador and look forward to him sharing his experience and expertise to help us continue to strengthen STEM education in Victoria,” Merlino said.
Dr Kieu is a respected physicist and Adjunct Professor at the Swinburne University of Technology and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics, in addition to being a Member of the Legislative Council.
The role will see him champion ways to improve STEM opportunities and outcomes for all Victorian students, with a focus on connections between schools and industries, key STEM initiatives and investment in specialist education facilities.
Dr Kieu is keen to use his extensive experience and expertise to guide the Department of Education and influence the future of education.
“I am excited to continue my lifelong advocacy for science, technology, engineering and mathematics as an Ambassador for STEM. I look forward to providing advice and support to the Victorian Department of Education regarding achievement of STEM goals, utilising my experience and passion for the field,” he said.
STEM learning takes in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and starts in early childhood, as well as being taught in all school year levels from Prep through to VCE, VCAL and VET.
It is designed to help deliver improved learnings and outcomes in the STEM fields, with a focus on preparing Victorian students for the jobs of tomorrow.
The Victorian Government is investing in STEM disciplines, including $128 million in 10 new Tech Schools across the state. In addition, the $17.8 million Secondary Mathematics and Science Initiative (SMSI) will fully fund 272 teachers to become qualified maths or science classroom teachers by the start of 2022, while $33 million has been allocated in 2019–20 to train 200 primary school teachers to become specialists in maths and science as part of the Primary Mathematics and Science Specialist (PMSS) initiative.
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