A
'thumbs up' group photo with Minister of Education II YB Dato Seri Idris Bin
Jusoh (standing centre) at the KLESF 2014 launch
The
inaugural Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF) 2014 was launched by
the Minister of Education II, YB Dato' Seri Idris Bin Jusoh at the Malaysian
Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), Cyberjaya on 25
February 2014. He was accompanied by the President and Chief Executive
Officer of MIGHT and Joint Chairman of KLESF 2014 Dr Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman
and President of ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology (AAET) and the
Chairman of the KLESF 2014 Steering Committee Datuk Ir Hong Lee Pee at the
launch.
KLESF
2014 is jointly organised by Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), ASEAN
Academy of Engineering and Technology (AAET), the Institution of Engineers
Malaysia (IEM), MIGHT and the National Science Center and aims to promote
school children's interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM). It will also complement the Government's Science to
Action (S2A) programme which requires Science and Technology (S &T) to take
a key role to drive national growth and sustainability.
Present at the launch were UTAR Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation
Prof Lee Sze Wei, representatives from the National Science Center were Ms
Phyllis Lam and Ms Norzilawati b md Kamsor, President of IEM Ir Choo Kok
Beng, Fellows of AAET; Prof Yong Hoi Seng and Prof Dr Ho Chee Cheong,
district representatives from Ministry of Education, representatives from
industry sponsors (MDeC, Pizza Hut, FreeScale, Talent Corp, UEM Berhad and
DreamEDGE), teachers and students, UTAR lecturers, staff and other invited
guests.
In his
speech at the launch, YB Dato' Seri Idris Bin Jusoh who is also the Patron
of KLESF said," Science can be fun, and if we promote interest in science
fields among students, we can hopefully reach the objective of having 60% of
students in the sciences." He also added that more people are needed in the
sciences for the development of the country and encouraged all to visit the
KLESF 2014. The fair will be held at the National Science Center from 25-27
April 2014. It will feature science demonstrations and exhibitions and
admission is free.
Datuk
Hong, in his address elaborated on the School Engineering and Science Design
Mentorship (SESDM) programme which has started in the pilot phase in January
with seven schools. UTAR lecturers and student volunteers are presently
guiding the schoolchildren to conduct science experiments, projects and
assignments.
The
launch highlights included the KLESF mini showcase of science experiments
and DreamEDGE's booth display of the robotic solution; Robot Nao at the
lobby of the MIGHT office. Stealing the limelight were science experiments
put up by selected students from SMK Taman Melati under the mentorship of
UTAR Faculty of Engineering and Science (FES) lecturer Chua Kein Huat. Aina
Syamimi Bt Shamsul Bahri and Abdul Latif Bin Abdul Aziz, two of the seven
SMK Taman Melati students at the science booth enthused that it was a
memorable experience to demonstrate the experiments and treasured the
hands-on learning experiences of the SESDM programme.
Chua
praised the participating students for the self confidence and clarity in
explaining the experiments to the Minister and visitors despite being in the
SESDM programme for less than two months. Their accompanying teacher; Puan
Wan Nor Mahizan Wan Mahmud thanked UTAR for guiding the students in the
science experiments and expressed appreciation in placing the school in the
SESDM programme.
The
launch culminated with the presentations of the KLESF 2014 posters to the
principal and teacher representatives from the respective schools; SMK Taman
Melati, SMK Kepong and Kuen Cheng High School.
Senior
2 Science student, Augustine Wang Zhian Zhiow of Kuen Cheng High who was
present at the launch gushed that participating in the SESDM programme has
ignited his interest in science and engineering. He hopes to eventually
pursue a career in these areas.
SMK
Taman Melati students at their science booth with their mentor Chua Kein
Huat (in purple shirt)
The
Minister trying his hand at the science experiment at the SMK Taman Melati's
science booth
Group
photo of the organisers with the Minister of Education II at the launch,
from left; Ir Choo Kok Beng, Datuk Hong Lee Pee, Dato Seri Idris Bin Jusoh,
Dr Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman and Prof Lee Sze Wei
Dato
Seri Idris Bin Jusoh, Minister of Education II delivering his speech at the
launch
A
round of enthusiastic applause for Robot Nano,from left; Ir Choo Kok Beng,
Prof Lee Sze Wei, Dato'Seri Idris Bin Jusoh,Dr Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman and
Datuk Hong Lee Pee
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