Nan Hwa High School students explore STEM and university life at UTAR Kampar

On 20 June 2025, 34 students and a teacher from Nan Hwa High School, Ayer Tawar, visited UTAR Kampar Campus for an educational and interactive STEM outreach experience. Organised by the Confucius Institute at UTAR with support from the Division of Programme Promotion (DPP), the visit was part of UTAR’s ongoing STEAM Outreach initiative aimed at promoting science and technology among secondary school students.

The visit began with a warm welcome and a briefing by DPP Assistant Manager Ms Chai Li Wei, who introduced the students to UTAR’s history, academic programmes, and campus environment. This was followed by a briefing session conducted by a teacher from the Confucius Institute at UTAR on Unlocking New Opportunities in Chinese Learning: Confucius Institute and the HSK Examination (解锁中文学习新机遇：孔子学院与HSK考试).

The students then toured the campus, gaining a closer look at the university’s facilities and daily student life.

A major highlight of the visit was the hands-on Microbiology workshop conducted by Faculty of Science (FSc) academic Dr Lee Kok Chang. Students explored scientific techniques in the laboratory and engaged in active learning. This was followed by a guided tour of the UTAR Agriculture Park, where FSc Head of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Agricultural Science Programme, Dr Clement Wong Kiing Fook, explained key concepts in agronomy. Students also visited the Greenhouse, Aquaculture Farm, and goat breeding facility, where FSc academic Assoc Prof Ts Dr Teoh Chaiw Yee introduced aquaculture practices and livestock care.

The visit concluded at the UTAR Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) Centre, where students were introduced to alternative healthcare practices and their relevance in modern society.

This outreach initiative not only enriched the students’ academic curiosity but also inspired them to envision their futures in higher education and beyond.