Experts urged to share knowledge, expertise
KUCHING: Sarawak welcomes academics and professionals in chemistry to assist the state in sustainable socio- economic development and improving the quality of its people’s lives, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
“Please share your knowledge and expertise with our local educators and scientists in making Sarawak an advanced economy with the highest standard of living in the near future.
“I would also like to invite you to do some collaborative work with our Malaysian educators and scientists, or even make Malaysia the base for your work and research,” he said in his speech that was read by Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian who represented him in officiating the 24th IUPAC International Conference on Chemistry Education ( ICCE) 2016 and the International Symposium on Pure and Applied Chemistry (ISPAC) 2016 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching ( BCCK) yesterday.
Adenan also recorded his
Please share your knowledge and expertise with our local educators and scientists in making Sarawak an advanced economy with the highest standard of living in the near future.
appreciation to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry ( IUPAC) Committee on Chemistry Education for giving the state opportunity to host the event.
He also congratulated the Chemistry Institute of Malaysia ( IKM) Sarawak branch for organising the ISPAC 2016 in conjunction with its 30th anniversary.
“I also pledge the support of the Sarawak government in your effort to advance chemical knowledge and technology in Sarawak for sustainable development and improving the quality of life in Sarawak,” he said.
Meanwhile, IKM president Dato Dr Ong Eng Long in his address earlier, pointed out that investment in science will spur economic growth and that today’s investment in chemical sciences will ensure tomorrow’s success.
“Effective chemistry teaching will therefore play a pivotal role in providing the talented workforce of chemists that the nation needs. The country must have a proper chemistry education system to provide the well-trained manpower for the development of chemical and petro- chemicals, oleo-chemicals and rubber product industries.
“Effective chemistry education is imperative to attract students at the primary and secondary levels to have an interest in science and the topics of chemistry. At universities, the chemistry education system must empower students to identify and grow their passions in chemical science rather than just scoring As in examinations,” he said.
ICCE is a major international chemistry education conference that is held biennially all over the world. It usually attracts a large number of chemistry and science educators, practitioners and researchers, as well as education decision and policy makers.
ICCE and ISPAC 2016, happening from August 15 to 20, are attended by a total of 423 delegates from 34 countries, with the largest contingent of 201 from Malaysia and 108 from Japan.
One of the highlights of the event this year is the presence of Nobel Laureate in Chemistry 2010 Professor Eiichi Negishi from Purdue University, United States. The other highlight is the global launch of a new Electronic Interactive IUPAC Periodic Table.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, Chief Minister