UTAR FSc student honoured with IKM Graduate Chemistry Medal Award

Lee Shao Ken, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Chemistry student from UTAR Faculty of Science (FSc), was honoured with the Malaysia Institute of Chemistry (IKM; Institut Kimia Malaysia) Graduate Chemistry Medal Award 2024, in recognition of his outstanding performance in the 2024 Chemistry Final Year Examination.

The award certificate was presented during MALAM KIMIA 2024 on 6 December 2024 at the Citrine & Ruby Ballroom (Level G), One World Hotel, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Besides receiving the prestigious accolade, Lee was also awarded a cash prize of RM500 for his achievement.

Expressing his delight and excitement, Lee enthused, “Winning the Chemistry Graduate Medal is such a huge honour to me. I feel happy and truly grateful for the recognition. This award not only acknowledges my hard work but also boosts my confidence and motivates me to continue pushing my boundaries, striving for even greater achievement in the field of chemistry.”

Lee also thanked the University for equipping him with useful knowledge. He said, “My experience at UTAR has played a significant role in helping me to achieve this goal. The University equipped me with a strong academic foundation, research skills and practical experience, all of which are very useful and valuable in both academia and the working industry. The support and guidance from experienced staff have definitely helped to shape me into a great chemist and researcher.”

Lee’s remarkable achievement on his journey to becoming an outstanding chemist serves as an inspiration to his peers. It highlights not only his passion towards the scientific study of matter but also the University’s commitment to providing a holistic educational experience to the community, reflecting its vision to become a global university of educational excellence with transformative societal impact.

IKM Graduate Chemistry Medal Award

The IKM Graduate Chemistry Medal Award is an accolade awarded annually by the Malaysia Institute of Chemistry, also known as Institut Kimia Malaysia (IKM), to students who have displayed excellent performance in their chemistry final year examination in any branch of chemistry.

Each year, a few students will be chosen based on the nominees recommended by institutions’ head of the chemistry department or the dean of the school of chemical sciences of the university. Each institution is allowed to nominate only one student who must have a CGPA of at least 3.5.

IKM is a well-established professional organisation recognised both locally and internationally in the field of chemistry. As a statutory professional organisation under the jurisdiction of the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation (MOSTI), it plays a pivotal role in regulating the professional conduct of chemists, ensuring high standards of practice and promoting the development of chemistry education and research in Malaysia.