Sowing the seeds of science

FOR all the heavy emphasis on science in the Malaysian education system, there seems to be a shortage of Malaysian scientists.

According to Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Zaini Ujang, many science-based graduates do not opt to go into research.

"Doing research and being a scientist is not widely seen as a career option, and many do not even know how they can get into research and development," he says.

Based on this observation, UTM is on a mission to nurture young intellectuals through its Outstanding Scientists Programme (known by its Malay acronym PSC for Program Saintis Cemerlang).

The programme will identify and coach 200 secondary school students throughout the country each year.

Prof Dr Halimaton Hamdan, who heads the PSC project, explains that the programme started in 1999 with a batch of Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) students.

"Our main aim is to address the dwindling number of scientists in Malaysia.

"So we not only coach academically excellent students, but also focus on students who wish to do serious research."

Prof Zaini says that although the programme has been in place for 10 years, it is only now that results of the effort are taking shape.

"We monitored the first batch of students throughout their tertiary study right up to the doctorate level.

"All 32 students managed a minimum cummulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.5 for their degrees, with half obtaining first-class honours.

"Six have successfully completed their doctorates at UTM, while the rest are currently pursuing their postgraduate qualifications in foreign institutions."

PSC graduate Dr Mohd Bakri Bakar cites the programme's focus on personal and career progression that spurred him to return and work at UTM.

"During my undergraduate studies at UTM, the university's pool of top-notch staff and sound academic environment greatly enhanced my learning process," says the organic chemistry lecturer.

"It was because of the support I received in the early stages of my education that I wanted to become part of the UTM hub for the source of knowledge and new discoveries."

Fellow PSC pioneer Dr Che Rozid Mamat says that the programme's research-driven nature helped with his doctoral studies.

"We were exposed to research work even at the undergraduate level; even semester breaks were filled with research.

"Furthermore, the 'personality grooming' sessions we went through also motivated our academic excellence," he says, adding that a personal example of inspiration was the batch's trek up Mt Kinabalu in Sabah upon completion of the programme.

Dr Mohd Bakri is now researching photodynamic cancer therapy, which uses light to destroy cancer cells, while Dr Che Rozid is aiming to specialise in the area of liquid crystals.

Prof Zaini says that the current phase of the programme has been tweaked to reach out to more students and allow more room for other areas of science.

"Among the changes are the inclusion of applied sciences. The previous programme only covered fundamental sciences."

The applied science areas are namely; nanotechnology, architecture, robotics, information technology, telecommunications, photonics, renewable energy and bioscience.

The updated PSC targets 14- to 15-year-olds who have yet to sit for the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examinations.

UTM representatives will head out to schools across Malaysia to brief teachers and students about the programme.

Interested students will be invited to a camp where they will be exposed to the various fields of science.

"The camp will also focus on nurturing the non-academic skills a scientist needs, such as leadership, communication skills and the ability to work in teams," says Prof Halimaton.

The pool of participants will then be narrowed down to 2,000 students, based on PMR results as well as a series of apptitude tests and workshops.

These students will then have to maintain good grades right up to the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations and successfully gain entry for UTM courses.

Thereafter, a total of 200 students will be shortlisted through IQ and EQ tests, such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) and the Self-Directed Search (SDS).

ANN/The Star