NextGen Science 2025 sparks curiosity and inspiration in the next generation

The universe holds vast and enduring mysteries that continue to inspire curiosity and exploration. From constellations that influenced early civilizations to the unseen dynamics of quantum phenomena, each aspect of reality invites scientific inquiry. Science serves as a crucial framework for understanding the natural world and pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

Despite significant progress, many fundamental questions remain unanswered. Whether the ultimate laws of the universe will ever be fully uncovered is still unknown. Nonetheless, it is imperative that we foster a culture of inquiry, empowering future generations to carry forward the torch of discovery into the vast unknown.

Driven by its mission to ignite interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) among secondary school and pre-university students, the NextGen Science 2025 brought together curious minds at UTAR Kampar Campus on 24 and 25 April 2025. It was organised by UTAR Centre for Foundation Studies (Kampar Campus), in collaboration with the Confucius Institute at UTAR.

Themed Foundation to Future, the two-day science fiesta gathered students from seven institutions in Kampar, including UTAR, and provided them with an opportunity to explore various disciplines of science through practical and interactive activities, aiming to enhance their understanding and interest in STEM.

The list of participating secondary schools is as follows:

• SMJK Pei Yuan
• Pei Yuan High School
• SMK Sentosa
• SMK Methodist (ACS) Kampar
• SMK Seri Kampar
• SMK Kampar

Among the featured activities were exhibitions, talks, workshops, competitions, and games, designed to spark students’ curiosity across the science disciplines. Besides scientific exploration, NextGen Science 2025 also featured a booth by the Confucius Institute at UTAR, where visitors enjoyed relaxing activities of Chinese cultural heritage such as calligraphy, Xiangqi (Chinese chess), and wooden slips carving.

Some of the fiesta’s highlights were the workshops and competitions, which offered students an interactive experience to develop new skills and showcase their talents. From dabbling in the imaginative world of infographics via Canva (Canva Workshop & Infographic Competition) to flexing their scientific knowledge in a battle of word guessing (WordFlex: Scientific Edition), the excitement and vibrance celebrated not only the participants’ spirit of learning beyond the classroom, but also their display of creativity and critical thinking.

The winners of the competitions are listed below:

Besides providing opportunities to display their skills and talents, NextGen Science 2025 also featured a series of talks, where students gained valuable insights from industry experts and researchers on a range of topics, including cognitive memory, human microbiome, and AI (artificial intelligence).
The series of talks is as below:

• “Unlocking the Power of Memory in a Tech-Driven World”
• International Master of Memory (IMM) Teo Kim Foo, Chairman of Malaysia Memory Sports Organisation

• “Tiny World of Gut Bacteria”
• Mr Ong Zhu Hong, Yakult Malaysia

• “The Foundation and Future of AI-Powered Visual Intelligence”
• Assoc Prof Ts Dr Chai Tong Yuen, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT), UTAR

• “Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) Challenges”
• Assoc Prof Ir Ts Dr Joshua Jaya Prakash, Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology (FEGT), UTAR

Everyone is a lifelong learner — including the educators who will shape and inspire the next generation. NextGen Science 2025 featured the Empowering Education with Generative AI (ChatGPT) workshop on its second day, inviting educators to discuss the concepts of and applications of generative AI in education. Through the workshop, the participating educators gained fresh knowledge as well as hands-on experience in utilising ChatGPT efficiently, enhancing their teaching and learning experience in the AI era.

The Organising Chairperson of NextGen Science 2025, Ms Rachel Tham Jia-Hui, said, “The theme Foundation to Future reminds us that every breakthrough begins with a question. From a calculation by yesterday’s pioneers to the experiments of today’s innovators, science has always built forward. This event is a celebration of a journey — of how the grand works made by researchers, engineers, and dreamers. We have a launching pad for discoveries that will shape our own tomorrow. Whether it is exploring new frontiers in AI, sustainability or space, we are here not just to imagine the future, but to build it. STEM is not just a collection of subjects, but a way of thinking, asking questions, solving problems, and having the curiosity to explore the unknown, from trying to understand the mysteries of the universe to finding smart solutions to everyday challenges.”

Ms Rachel Tham encouraged the young learners to nurture their own curiosity, highlighting the importance of pushing boundaries and driving the future.

CFS (Kampar Campus) Director Ts Tan Lee Siew said, “At UTAR, we are committed to empowering the next generations by equipping them with essential skills in STEM. As a university founded with the principle ‘by the people, for the people’, we extend our passion for STEM beyond the classroom. CFS (Kampar Campus) has actively championed science fairs and outreach activities to make STEM more accessible and engaging to the wider community.”

She highlighted that CFS (Kampar Campus) has been actively organising STEM activities since 2018, including past initiatives such as Science Connect 2022 and Science of Tomorrow 2023. “Through our past initiatives, we have seen how hands-on learning and curiosity spark a passion for discovery. NextGen Science 2025 shows our commitment to help students build strong skills that will prepare them for the fast-changing technologically developed world,” she remarked.

Also present at the opening ceremony of NextGen Science 2025 were CFS (Kampar Campus) Deputy Director for Student Affairs and Development Mr Lim Khiew Loon, Deputy Director for Academic Ms Phang Ying Ning, Head of Department of Science and Engineering Ms Ooi Siew Fong, Head of Department of Arts and Social Science Ms Pakialetchumy Antoni, Head of Department of Management and Accountancy Ms Tsen Tzu Yee, representative from the Confucius Institute at UTAR Ms Liu Xiaoli, Rxsolute Health and YMCare Supplies Sdn Bhd Sales Manager Ms Alice Moo (sponsor), Polydamic Holdings Sdn Bhd Sales Manager Mr Desmond Khor (sponsor), school teachers and students, and UTAR staff and students.

Although NextGen Science 2025 may not have delivered systematic textbook knowledge to young minds, it ignited curiosity and enthusiasm towards the wonders of science, bringing them onto the same wavelength as innovation itself. The university understands that STEM is an indispensable core to our daily lives and, not to mention, the advancement of civilisation. Hence, through initiatives such as this fiesta, UTAR remains committed to nurturing future thinkers by providing holistic, accessible, and engaging educational experiences. Whether through classroom learning or beyond-the-classroom initiatives, it strives to cultivate a posterity that has not only the skills to adapt to the future, but also shape and transform it.