SEBERANG JAYA, August 24, 2024 – The Malaysian Institute of Chemistry Northern Branch recently hosted the Karnival Kimia Malaysia Northern Zone 2024 at the Pulau Pinang Public Library Corporation. The event was designed to inspire students’ interest in chemistry, supporting the government’s initiative to advance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and highlight chemistry as a key driver of innovation and creativity. The program also aimed to raise public awareness, embed scientific culture in society, share chemistry knowledge with stakeholders, and encourage science-related careers, particularly in chemistry.
The half-day event was a lively collaboration between the organiser and several key partners, including Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pulau Pinang Branch, the Ministry of Education Malaysia (especially the Pulau Pinang State Education Department), AIMST University, Universiti Sains Malaysia, the Department of Chemistry Malaysia, NIOSH Pulau Pinang, KHTP Bio Analytical Laboratory Sdn. Bhd., Petronas Chemicals Fertilizer Kedah Sdn. Bhd. (PCFKSB), TDC Holdings Sdn. Bhd., the Pulau Pinang Public Library Corporation, YaPEIM Pulau Pinang, and many others from various industries and NGOs. Together, they created a vibrant atmosphere full of educational activities aimed at inspiring students and promoting chemistry as a dynamic and rewarding career path.
The event kicked off with a joyful celebration, officially launched by ChM Marhayani binti Md. Saad, Director General of KIMIA Malaysia, who is also the Registrar of the Malaysian Institute of Chemistry. The occasion was graced by notable figures such as Dato’ ChM Dr. Hj. Mas Rosemal Hakim bin Mas Haris, Assoc. Prof. Dato’ DCP(R) Dr. ChM Yew Chong Hooi, Prof. ChM Dr. Kathiresan Sathasivam, Prof. Ir Dato’ Dr. Hj. Ahmad Rashidy bin Razali, Mr. Shamsul Azhar bin Haban, Hajjah Norlina binti Haji Ahmad, and Mr. Mohamed Rushdan bin Maidin, making it a memorable and engaging celebration of chemistry and innovation. Other highlights included a performance by Gerak Ilham Silat martial artists, exhibitions from 15 strategic partners, 5 guest lectures on chemistry topics, and a student innovation competition featuring 20 projects from schools in Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, and Perak. Among the lecture topics featured were as follows:
1. Forensic Chemistry in Criminal Investigation, by Assoc. Prof. Dato’ DCP(R) Dr. ChM Yew Chong Hooi.
2. Chemistry: From Curiosity to Innovation, by ChM Damien Khoo Yiyuan.
3. Natural Product Chemistry for Sustainable Happy Living, by Assoc. Prof. ChM Dr. Hjh. Melati binti Khairuddean.
4. Overview of Contaminants in Food, ChM Dr. Nor Shifa bin Shuib.
5. Beyond Laboratories: Skill—Success Beyond Dream, by Dato’ ChM Dr. Hj. Mas Rosemal Hakim bin Mas Haris.
The organizers also received generous support from TDC Holdings Sdn. Bhd. and Yapeim Pulau Pinang. TDC Holdings Sdn. Bhd. contributed 216 boxes of their honey-based product, Nectarmax, along with other items valued at over RM30,000, which were distributed to all attendees. The event received enthusiastic feedback from participants, who expressed their appreciation and hope for similar programs to be held in the future.
By: Nor Aziyah Bakhari & Nor Hanim Abd Rahman