M’sian wins spot in international competition
Science communicator crowned champion for mangrove project
A DESIRE to protect mangrove forests has led to an environementalist representing Malaysia in an international science competition.
Atteleth Don will be heading to the United Kingdom later this year to compete at the FameLab International Final.
Don beat 11 other science communicators from across the country to be crowned the FameLab Malaysia National Final 2020 champion, allowing him to win the UK trip – worth RM11,500 – sponsored by MIGHT, One Team Networks and the British Council.
He also received a RM3,000 cash prize, the Euraxess Asean Prize 2020 worth £600 (RM2,954), which offers the unique opportunity to visit a research lab or university anywhere in the UK or the 27 European Union member states; and a visit to Cardiff and Eureka Robotics Lab sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University worth £1,000 (RM5,469).
Don’s winning talk was titled Save our Homes by Saving our Mangroves.
“Mangrove forests form a dense barrier along our coasts and become our first line of defence against natural disasters such as tsunamis as they absorb and reduce impact, saving lives and homes,” he said.
After eight years of studying in the field of marine science and oceanography, Don took an interest in science communication to engage people through interactive approaches. Through jokes, stories and even drama, he uses everything in his arsenal to build public awareness and understanding of the environment.
“Mangrove forests don’t just save lives and our homes, but various plants and animal species living within them, too.
“Through conservation and proper forest management, we can coexist with nature for generations to come,” he added.
British Council Malaysia director Sarah Deverall said: “Through our work in science communications and FameLab, the British Council taps on international networks to support researchers to use their skills in bridging the gap between science and society and enhancing equality and diversity in science.”
FameLab was started by the Cheltenham Science Festival in 2005 and has grown into a global phenomenon in partnership with the British Council since 2007.
The competition is aimed at finding, developing and mentoring young science and engineering communicators.
Participants are required to engage audiences in a three-minute presentation on scientific topics and concepts.
Every presentation is judged according to the golden rules of the three Cs: content, clarity and charisma.
The competition consists of national heats and finals, followed by an international final in the UK at the Cheltenham Science Festival.
The British Council collaborates with MIGHT to deliver FameLab in Malaysia, with sponsorship partners One Team Networks Sdn Bhd, Euraxess Asean, Eureka Robotics Lab, Cardiff School of Technologies, and Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Supporting partners are the Higher Education Ministry, The Petri Dish, and Science Media Centre Malaysia.
Dr Siti Khayriyyah Mohd Hanafiah was crowned the 2018 FameLab International champion at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK. She followed in the footsteps of Professor Dr Abhimanyu Veerakumarasivam, who was the first Malaysian to win the title World’s Best
Science Communicator in 2016.
This year’s competition in Malaysia attracted 53 applicants, with a total of 12 finalists selected from the regional heats held in January and February.
The finalists were equipped with science communication skills through a two-day masterclass organised by the British Council and delivered by Quentin Cooper, who is one of the most familiar and popular UK voices of science and technology. He is a hugely experienced moderator, interviewer, trainer and lecturer, and is the host for FameLab International.