Letters | What Doraemon can teach us about promoting STEM education

Readers discuss how Doraemon can inspire us to solve real-world problems, why Hong Kong should be more selective about mega events and why a politeness campaign should include the city’s motorways

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Passengers take a selfie on a Doraemon-themed MTR train on the East Rail Line in Hong Kong on June 1. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 11:30am, 9 Jun 2024

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The Doraemon drone show last month and the coming major exhibition featuring 135 large-scale models of the beloved character are bringing back our fond memories of this acclaimed manga series. Many Hongkongers grew up reading about the adventures of the robotic cat Doraemon and Nobita Nobi, the bumbling boy Doraemon travels back in time to help.

To say that Doraemon is part of the collective memory of Hong Kong people would be an understatement. He appeals to both young and old. With a pocket that stores an infinite number of gadgets that come in handy when tackling everyday problems and a range of crises, Doraemon is the epitome of artificial intelligence successfully developed to help humans. From boosting Nobita’s memory with a piece of “memory bread” to saving time on transport with the “anywhere door”, Doraemon is the perfect helper in everyday life.

The author Fujiko F. Fujio created a fictional character that embodies the spirit of making the impossible possible, by solving everyday problems with science and technology. Growing up, I have always wanted to have a robot that not only empowers me to cope with challenges, but is also a trustworthy listener I can share with my feelings with.

The inspiration of Doraemon shows that the most effective way of promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education is to highlight how it can be harnessed to help solve the problems of humankind.

To popularise STEM education, we should promote an altruistic and benevolent mindset. When young people are motivated by the purpose of serving others through technology and innovation, a genuine interest in studying STEM and related subjects will naturally develop.