Closing ceremony of ASC 2017

Following the successful launching ceremony graced by The Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan, His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-Lah and a series of educational lectures by the distinguished speakers, technopreneurs and entrepreneurs, the curtains were finally drawn for the Asian Science Camp (ASC) 2017 with a humble closing ceremony on 25 August 2017 at UTAR Kampar Campus.

The closing ceremony was accompanied by poster preparation, team presentation, cultural performances and a farewell dinner as parting gestures to all the participants.

Present at the closing ceremony were Chairperson of ASC 2017 International Committee Prof Lin Ming-Juey, UTAR President-cum-ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology (AAET) President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, ASC Steering Committee Chairman-cum-Honorary President of AAET Ir Academician Datuk Hong Lee Pee, ASC 2017 Organising Committee Chairperson-cum-UTAR Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, UTAR Council Member Hew Fen Yee, UTAR staff and students.

Prof Lee extending his gratitude

In his closing remarks, Prof Lee extended his gratitude to everyone and said, “I believe this gathering of scholars and science talented youths has created an opportunity for closer interaction and promoted international friendship and cooperation among the participants. I hope the objective of ASC 2017 has paved the way to more exchanges that can raise the awareness and interests among youths on the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in nation building.” He added,“I would like to express my utmost gratitude to all the sponsors and organisations that have supported the ASC 2017. I also would like to thank Datuk Hong, the Steering Committee Chairperson of ASC 2017 who has been very supportive from the beginning to the end in making this ASC 2017 a reality. I also would like to thank the entire company representatives for bringing your students to UTAR Kampar Campus and I hope you have achieved the objectives of ASC 2017.”

Prof Lin emphasising on the objectives of ASC 2017

In his closing speech, Prof Lin said, “I am honoured to be part of the ASC 2017. The ASC is indeed a valuable opportunity for young participants to be enlightened and inspired through lectures, discussions and dialogues by the world renowned scientists. We hope that you have gained a wonderful experience in Malaysia and learnt so much from the week-long camp. Through ASC you are given chances to stand on the shoulders of science giants so that you can stand higher, see further and think deeper. I would like to state sincere thanks to the organising committees for their hard work in organising this ASC 2017.”

The week-long ASC 2017 saw Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine Prof Sir Richard J. Roberts and Nobel Laureate in Physics Prof David Jonathan Gross delivering their lectures, namely “Why You Should Love GMOs” and “The Frontiers of Fundamental Physics” respectively. Other local and international experts include Professor Emeritus of Neurobiology of University of California, Berkeley Prof Poo Mu-ming, Founder and Group Executive Chairman of Silverlake Group Goh Peng Ooi, Chief Executive Officer of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lee Oi Hian and Emeritus Professor (Genetics and Zoology) of University of Malaya Prof Emeritus Yong Hoi Sen delivering a series of lecture titled “A Study on Mathematical Systems and Its Relationships to Science, Economy, Management and Wealth”, “Palm Oil: God’s Gift to the World” and “Exceptions to the Rule: Gems of Biodiversity” respectively.

Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine Prof Sir Richard J. Roberts

Nobel Laureate in Physics Prof David Jonathan Gross

Professor Emeritus of Neurobiology of University of California, Berkeley Prof Poo Mu-ming

Founder and Group Executive Chairman of Silverlake Group Goh Peng Ooi

Emeritus Professor (Genetics and Zoology) of University of Malaya Prof Emeritus Yong Hoi Sen

Chief Executive Officer of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lee Oi Hian

Honorary Professor of the School of Biomedical Sciences of The University of Melbourne Prof Suzanne Cory

Professor of Molecular Genetics of The University of Melbourne Prof Jerry McKee Adams

Founder and Executive Chairman of Top Glove Corporation Berhad Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai

The camp also saw Professor of Molecular Genetics of The University of Melbourne Prof Jerry McKee Adams presenting his lecture titled “How Understanding of the Control of Cell Death has Led to A Promising New Cancer” and Honorary Professor of the School of Biomedical Sciences of The University of Melbourne Prof Suzanne Cory sharing about “Regulating Cell Life and Death in Health and Disease”. “Manufacturing Excellence for the World” and “Innovation Makes You Fly Higher” were delivered by Founder and Executive Chairman of Top Glove Corporation Berhad Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai, and Datuk Hong respectively.

Camp participants touring the award-winning Kampar Campus and its laboratories

Besides the enriching talks and dialogue sessions, the camp participants also went on an exciting excursion in which the participants were able to visit some main attraction spots in Perak. In addition to that, the participants also had the opportunity to visit UTAR Kampar Campus and its laboratories. The closing ceremony also awarded the poster competition and dialogue session winners.

Cultural performances by camp participants

One of the participants, Iszan Uwais Amer bin Roslizan said, “I have learnt a lot about physics, biology and chemistry, and that inspired me to explore the mysteries of the universe. Through talks about biodiversity and cancer research, I gained a better understanding of biology. Interacting with international participants had also built up my self-confidence and I made new friends. The campus was really beautiful and huge, while the excursion has taught me to appreciate our very own unique Malaysian culture.”

Another participant from Australia, Sara Tanovic enthused, “The camp was professional and the campus was beautiful. The lectures were very informative, especially from Prof Suzanne Cory, who spoke about her cancer research because she has been such a good female STEM role model for me. I was also exposed to many different cultures and made so many new friends, and was able to ask the Nobel Laureates about their respective fields and listened to their ideas.”

The ASC has been held annually in different parts of Asia including Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Singapore, Japan and South Korea since its debut in 2007. The annual youth camp also has been seen as an opportunity for the promotion of international friendship and cooperation among the best young minds of the next generation in Asia. The camp opens doors to more international exchanges among the participants, further elevating the awareness and interest among youths on the importance of STEM in nation building and to the Asian continent.

ASC 2017 is the eleventh edition hosted by the Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF), an initiative promoting interest in STEM among primary and secondary school students, and jointly organised by UTAR, AAET, Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and The Institutions of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM).

The idea of ASC was co-proposed in September 2005 after the Lindau Science Meeting by Prof Lee Yuan-Tseh from Taiwan and Professor Koshiba Masatoshi, a 2002 Nobel Laureate in Physics from Japan. With the Lindau Science Meeting, which has been held in Germany for more than half a century set as a model, ASC invites many Nobel Laureates or world-distinguished scientists as speakers, and devises interesting programmes to attract participants.

The week-long camp saw the presence of two Nobel Laureates and an array of distinguished scientists and technologists sharing their insights and knowledge with over 340 participants from more than 30 economies including Malaysia.

The ASC 2017 was graciously sponsored by Silverlake Group, Grand Kampar Hotel, The HEAD Foundation, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad, Perak State Government, WEIL Hotel, Top Glove Foundation, Little Rain Children Trust and Spritzer.

Camp participants completing their posters

The award presentation ceremony