MIRI: The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Student Chapter of Curtin Malaysia recently organised a two-day community outreach programme to highlight the importance of a good education up to tertiary level to the children of Kampung Lembah Hijau in Riam near here.
30 children aged 10 to 12 years participated in the programme, which involved participating in educational workshops and other activities relating to engineering and science and an overnight stay at the campus.
The workshops were conducted by lecturers from the Chemical Engineering and Foundation of Engineering and Science Departments of the university’s Faculty of Engineering and Science.
During the activities, the children were taught to apply the basic concepts of science and critical thinking skills and demonstrate leadership qualities.
The activities included chemistry and physics lab projects, solving online quizzes, a programming and mathematics programme themed “Fun Time Session”, and a “mBot Session”using educational programmable electronic robot kits.
Academic advisor to the student chapter, Dr. Bridgid Chin also gave a short talk in which she introduced the children to Curtin Malaysia and the world of engineering.
Organising chairperson, Gibson Tan Yao Sheng said the programme was a great success due to the strong support of the Kampung Lembah Hijau villagers and the involvement of SK Kampung Luak Miri, Tech T<h>inkers and iM4U (1Malaysia for Youth).
Tan also thanked those who sponsored the programme, including Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who is also chairman of Curtin Malaysia’s Management Board, Broadway Wedding House, Dessert Master , Vision Pharmacy, the academic staff and student facilitators for their assistance.
The principal of SK Kampung Luak, Raja Badrul, said he looked forward to more collaboration with Curtin Malaysia on such programmes, especially to encourage the children to communicate in English and motivate them to excel in their studies.
Meanwhile, in a separate event, the Curtin Malaysia IChemE Student Chapter organised a membership talk to highlight the roles of IChemE, the benefits of joining the student chapter, and the importance of gaining chartered chemical engineer status to staff and students of Curtin Malaysia. The talk was delivered by Regional Manager of Southeast Asia IChemE, Mohan Balasingam.
Membership benefits for students include digital subscription to “The Chemical Engineer” magazine, online access to “Knovel” e-library, access to a network of contacts in regional and technical special interest groups, and opportunities for personal and career development.
Dr. Chin, who was also present at the talk, encouraged chemical engineering students of Curtin Malaysia to apply for IChemE membership, saying that it provided an excellent international platform for students to obtain information on the latest research and technologies in the field of chemical engineering.
She said Curtin Malaysia had a very strong association with IChemE in the areas of course accreditation, student activities and professional membership.
Curtin, she added, collaborated with the world body on hosting the 29th Symposium of Malaysian Chemical Engineers (SOMChE 2016) here in December last year.
