UTAR Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT) in collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Chemistry (IKM) successfully organised the 3rd Malaysian Chemistry Carnival 2022 and the 9th Professor Goh Lai Yoong Challenge Trophy for the upper secondary school and pre-university students at UTAR Kampar Campus on 1 October 2022. Some 100 students and teachers from a total of 17 government and private schools from Perak took part in the event.

Themed Chemistry and Sustainable Environment, the primary aim of the 3rd Malaysian Chemistry Carnival 2022 was to create awareness among upper secondary and pre-university school students on the importance of chemistry. It was also aimed at cultivating interest and broadening knowledge in the subject by giving them the opportunity to talk about chemistry and put their skills into practice in a friendly competition.

The day-long event was officiated by Chief Assistant Director (Language) of the Perak State Education Department Md Faisal bin Md Yusuf, representing the Director of the Perak State Education Department Aznan bin Haji Alias. Also present to grace the carnival were Chairperson of Perak IKM ChM Khairul Hadi bin Haji Abd Raof, UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, UTAR FEGT Dean Ir Prof Dr Ng Choon Aun, UTAR FEGT Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Ir Ts Dr Leong Kah Hon, Chairperson of the 3rd Malaysian Chemistry Carnival and FEGT academic ChM Dr Wong Lai Peng, UTAR FEGT academics and staff, UTAR staff and students.

Lauding the efforts of the Organising Committee, Prof Choong in his welcome remarks said, “On behalf of UTAR, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to IKM for the trust given to UTAR to be a partner of IKM Perak Branch in organising the 3rd Malaysian Chemistry Carnival 2022, as well as the 9th Professor Goh Lai Yoong Challenge Trophy for the Perak Inter-School Sixth Form Chemistry Quiz. UTAR is indeed proud to be the co-organiser of the event with the theme ‘Chemistry and Sustainable Environment’.

He added, “As we strive towards a better world, we must take initiatives to ensure chemistry’s contributions are realised. Chemistry can help us to understand, monitor, protect and improve the environment around us. Chemists are developing tools and techniques to ensure that we can see and measure air and water pollution. They have helped to build the evidence that shows how our climate has changed over time. And they can be part of the effort to understand and address new problems that we face every day and the potential effects of the different chemicals that we are exposed to. In line with that, I am glad that the 3rd Malaysian Chemistry Carnival 2022 is a well thought and planned event which caters to visitors of different age groups. I am glad to see us, an institution of higher learning, joining hands with IKM in sowing the seeds of love for chemistry amongst the students as well as the public.”

On behalf of IKM Perak, ChM Khairul welcomed all the participants to the 3rd Malaysian Chemistry Carnival 2022, as well as the 9th Professor Goh Lai Yoong Challenge Trophy for the Perak Inter-School Sixth Form Chemistry Quiz. He enthused, “The theme of the carnival ‘Chemistry and Sustainable Environment’ amplified the importance of sustainable chemistry in enhancing the living standards of the people. This carnival provided opportunities for students to demonstrate their creative knowledge in chemistry.” He also emphasised that the main objectives of the carnival are to illustrate the innovative and inventive nature of chemistry, to promote public awareness and appreciation of chemistry, to promote chemistry education in schools and universities, and to encourage the younger generation to take up chemistry as a profession and career.”

While feeling heartened by IKM’s and UTAR’s invitation and commitment in promoting STEM, especially sustainable chemistry to secondary school students via the 3rd Malaysian Chemistry Carnival 2022, Faisal expressed, “As known, our daily lives are surrounded by science, technology and engineering in every corner. The organisation of the Perak State Malaysian Chemistry Carnival can instil students’ interest in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and make them aware of the importance of mastering science, technology, engineering and mathematics in their daily lives. This carnival gives students the opportunity to get involved directly in showing their talent in the field of chemistry. Students who like to do various tests and research to produce new discoveries will make it an important asset for the country to continue to be competitive in the field of STEM. I hope this kind of programme will be maintained and continued in the future so that we can produce more young people who are skilled in science and make an impact on the government’s efforts to make Malaysia a developed and high-income country.” Faisal concluded his speech by thanking IKM and UTAR for their efforts in promoting STEM specifically chemistry to students and people from all walks of life.

The main highlight of the carnival was the Professor Goh Lai Yoong Inter-school Sixth Form Chemistry Quiz Competition. The Professor Goh Lai Yoong Inter-School Sixth Form Chemistry Quiz is a biennial event which was inaugurated in the year 2002. This Inter-school Sixth Form Quiz is the brainchild of the former Chairman of IKM Perak Branch, ChM Hwang Chin Hor, who conceived the idea when Professor Goh Lai Yoong generously donated to the IKM Perak Branch the monetary component of her IKM Gold Medal award (2001), together with her own matching contribution.

Kolej Yayasan UEM won top honours in the Inter-school Chemistry Quiz Competition and walked away with the 9th Professor Goh Lai Yoong Challenge Trophy. The second spot went to Shen Jai High School while SMK Jalan Tasek was third. The winners were awarded trophies and certificates by ChM Khairul.

In addition to the quiz competition, the carnival also saw a line-up of insightful talks delivered by ChM Dr Lim Jun Wei from Universiti Teknologi Petronas and ChM Sriraam Subramaniam from the Department of Chemistry Malaysia, Perak Branch. The two speakers delivered technical talks, titled “Sustainable Fuels Derived from Biomasses” and “Chemist in Department of chemistry Malaysia”, respectively.

The students also had an opportunity to take part in various exhilarating exhibitions and experiments conducted by chemist experts from different fields. The carnival ended with a prize-giving ceremony, a certificate presentation ceremony and group photography.