KDN: PQ/PP100-0/14/18 2017 Issue 4 02 Collaborations at Work 10 Special Feature 13 In Search of Excellence 15 R&D 16 Students in Action 17 From Talks to Forums 18 拉大视 野 20 Sudut Utarian Graduates at UTAR's 25th Convocation www.utar.edu.my www.facebook.com/UTARnet www.twitter.com/UTARnet www.youtube.com/UTARnet plus.google.com/+UtarEduMy www.linkedin.com/company/universiti-tunku-abdul-rahman 02 Collaborations at Work 03 TAR Kampar UCampus was the venue for the Asian Sultan of Perak officiates ASC 2017 Science Camp (ASC) 2017 from 20 to 26 August 2017. Held for the first time in Malaysia, the annual science camp aimed to deepen Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) interests among Asian youths and give them the exposure to the importance of STEM via close interaction with STEM luminaries. From left: Prof Cory, Prof Yong, Prof Gross, Datuk Talib, Prof Lin, Hew, Dato’ Amin, Tan Sri Zahidi, Dato’ Seri Ong, Dato’ Seri Zambry, His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin, Prof Chuah, The ASC 2017 opening ceremony on Datuk Hong, Dato’ Seri Puhat, Tan Sri Lee, Tan Sri Zakri, Datuk Yusoff, Ir Tan, Prof Roberts, Prof Poo and Prof Adams 21 August 2017 was graciously presided time ever to be a scientist, as ever-more economy will continue to evolve regardless, instead of instigating more inequality among over by its Royal Patron His Royal astounding advances are being made along with technological innovation. There the people. He said scientists should play Highness Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah in so many fields. Advances in artificial are many dire predictions of the likely impact an important role in policy development and Ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin intelligence (AI) and robotisation are pushing of the coming wave of technological change regulation of scientific and technological Shah Al-Maghfur-Lah, The Sultan of Perak boundaries in directions that are both on employment and the workplace. One advances to ensure they were effectively Darul Ridzuan. Upon the arrival of His expected and unpredictable. The speed study suggests that at least 50 percent controlled and managed for the benefit of all. Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Shah, he and extent of change is such that some of seven hundred different current job On another note, Tan Sri Zakri presented was cordially received and welcomed by futurists believe that we are reaching an categories may be fully automated in the a keynote address, titled “Science, the Menteri Besar of Perak Darul Ridzuan historical tipping point, which will transform coming years. At the same time, large Technology and Innovation as Drivers of Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr Zambry bin Abd Kadir, our world beyond recognition. This creates productivity gains will be generated by the Malaysia’s Growth and Competitiveness”. Minister of International Trade and Industry extraordinary opportunities for the world, new technologies. But the costs and benefits In relation to Science, Technology and II of Malaysia and UTAR Council Member and for yourselves, as both the beneficiaries of the coming transformation are unlikely Innovation being the driving force of Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan, UTAR President- and architects of some of these advances. to be evenly distributed, and this could Malaysia’s growth and competitiveness, Tan cum-ASEAN Academy of Engineering Sultan Nazrin hitting the ‘gong’ to mark the opening of ASC 2017 But the acceleration of technological change contribute to worsening inequality. Combined Sri Zakri mentioned about the successful and Technology (AAET) President Ir Prof also presents major challenges for us with mass unemployment, this could result structural changes that Malaysia has Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik and in STEM projects but also utilise STEM for all, as we navigate through this turbulent in political and social upheaval on a massive gone through; from once an agriculture- ASC Steering Committee Chairman-cum- development and sustainability purposes. I and unpredictable world. Advances in AI, scale.” based economy, to a manufacturing-based Honorary President of AAET Ir Academician strongly believe it is a platform that will bring robotisation and biotechnology are already Therefore, The Sultan has called for economy, and now to a service-based Datuk Hong Lee Pee. to light the importance of developing talents allowing innovations such as genetically sufficient policy-making; regulation and economy. However, he also spoke of the Prof Chuah in his speech thanked in STEM.” modified insects and artificially enhanced education in the fields of science, technology, Fourth Industrial Revolution as being a His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Shah Also present at the opening ceremony or manipulated humans. These are very engineering and mathematics to ensure new transformation that will change society’s way for taking the time to grace the opening were the Orang Kaya Bendahara Seri welcome for their medical and humanitarian technologies are used for the greater good of living, working and relating to one another. ceremony of ASC 2017 and said, “We are on Maharaja Dato’ Seri DiRaja Tan Sri (Dr) contributions. But such developments also the opening page of a promising new chapter Mohd Zahidi bin Haji Zainuddin, Science raise deep and challenging questions about in international cooperation and collaboration Advisor to the Prime Minister of Malaysia even what it means to be human.” with regards to STEM education. We can use Prof Tan Sri Zakri Abd Hamid, Orang Besar His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin also this event to discuss and examine in depth Jajahan Kampar Toh Sedewa Raja Datuk said, “Beyond such difficult philosophical issues close to our hearts and hopefully find Abdul Talib bin Abdul Fahmi, Perak State questions lie the more immediate and equally common grounds for us to explore solutions Secretariat Dato’ Seri Abdul Puhat bin Mat challenging issues of the future of work that will benefit all of us, and open doors Nayan, Chairperson of the Committee and the workplace in an era of increasingly to more exchanges that can elevate the of Education, Science, Environment and capable AI and robotics. The impacts of awareness and interests among youths on Green Technology of Perak State Dato’ Dr recent advances will probably be felt more the importance of STEM in nation building.” Muhammad Amin bin Zakaria, Chairperson quickly in this area, driven by the economic Datuk Hong in his speech said, “It gives of the Committee of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sultan Nazrin delivering his royal address logic of investment for profit. This area also me great pleasure to welcome His Royal Multimedia and Communications of Perak has very direct implications for yourselves, Highness Sultan Nazrin Shah, the Sultan of State Dato’ Nolee Ashilin binti Mohammed High Technology (MIGHT) President Datuk whose working lives may look very different Perak Darul Ridzuan as the Royal Patron of Radzi, Chairperson of the Committee of Dr Yusoff Sulaiman, The Institutions of from those of previous generations. This ASC 2017 to grace the opening ceremony. Health, Public Transport, Non-Islamic Affairs, Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) President Ir Tan transformation of employment patterns will Today is a very significant day for us, as National Integration and New Villages of Yean Chin, UTAR Council Member Hew Fen also have broader political implications, as we kick-start the ASC, which for the first Perak State Dato’ Dr Mah Hang Soon, Yee, Chairperson of ASC 2017 International society tries to adapt to the new realities. The A group photograph with Sultan Nazrin time, is held in Malaysia. I am hopeful that Chief Executive Officer of Kuala Lumpur Committee Prof Lin Ming-Juey, ASC 2017 ASC 2017, through its rich array of keynote Kepong Berhad and UTAR Board of Trustees Organising Committee Chairperson- address and lectures, will in some ways not Member Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Lee Oi Hian, cum-UTAR Vice President for R&D and only inspire people to be actively involved Malaysian Industry-Government Group for Commercialisation Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Prof Ir Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Members of the Cabinet, other Perak State Executive Council Members, the Heads of the Perak State agencies, dignitaries, government agencies, the ASC international committee, distinguished guests, participants, UTAR staff and students. His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin said, “This is an extremely exciting time to be a young scientist, as you are, in the many areas covered under the rubric of STEM, the theme of this year’s science camp. It Sultan Nazrin at the bronze sculptures with (from left) Prof Ewe, Dato’ Seri Zambry, Prof Chuah and Dato’ Sultan Nazrin visiting the UTAR Gallery accompanied by Dato’ Seri From left: Prof Chuah and Datuk Hong may possibly even be the most exciting Seri Ong Zambry, Dato’ Seri Ong and Prof Chuah 04 Collaborations at Work 05 To further stimulate discussions and exchanges of ideas, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine ith the vision to Prof Sir Richard J. Roberts and Nobel Laureate in Physics Prof David Jonathan Gross delivered their Wpromote mental lectures, namely “Why You Should Love GMOs” and “The Frontiers of Fundamental Physics” respectively. literacy and create 13th Malaysia Festival of the Mind Other local and international experts include Professor Emeritus of Neurobiology of University of California, awareness about the Berkeley Prof Poo Mu-ming who spoke of the cognitive functions of the brain, Founder and Group human mind and its unlimited Executive Chairman of Silverlake Group Goh Peng Ooi, Tan Sri Lee and Emeritus Professor (Genetics and potential, the Malaysia Festival of the Zoology) of University of Malaya Prof Emeritus Yong Hoi Sen delivered a series of lecture titled “A Study on Mind (MFotM) started this year with its Mathematical Systems and Its Relationships to Science, Economy, Management and Wealth”, “Palm Oil: first session at Tunku Abdul Rahman God’s Gift to the World” and “Exceptions to the Rule: Gems of Biodiversity” respectively.