Many education systems are judged by the extent and how students learn, as well as the students’ abilities to develop and communicate their ideas. In Malaysia, the Ministry of Education has aspired to be developing education with a holistic perspective, concerning with the development of students’ intellectual, emotional, and social potentials based on international benchmarks in curriculums and assessments. In line with this mission, the Faculty of Chemical & Natural Resources Engineering (Fakulti Kejuruteraan Kimia & Sumber Asli, FKKSA), with assistance from the Chemical Engineering Student Society (CHEST), Corporate & Quality Affairs Department (Jabatan Hal Ehwal Korporat & Kualiti, JHKK), and Industry Partnership & Community Relation Department (Jabatan Jaringan Industri & Masyarakat, JJIM) at Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP), have successfully organized the 4th Intensive QGen 2018 on July 13–15, 2018 at Chempaka Resort Camp, Pantai Sepat, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Rusllim bin Mohamed, the Director of Centre for Academic Innovation & Competitiveness (Pusat Inovasi dan Daya Saing Akademik, CAIC) at UMP launched the program withwitnesses by 98 students, who were doing either Form Four or Form Five studies at five clustered schools in Kuantan and Muadzam Shah, Pahang, Malaysia. According to Dr Nur Hidayah Mat Yassin, the program director, this program was meant to build up and develop leadership and team work skills, as well as moralism among the young generation. Most importantly, the students were exposed to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), which if being introduced at an early age would ensure the students’ readiness to pursue the higher levels of educations. In these regards, this program was presented as a community service responsibility from UMP.
In one of the nine modules:‘Dye Adsorption Process’, the participants were requested to creatively design the adsorption column from recyclable materials. The winning team was selected based on several criteria such as adsorbent retention time and reliable column design. “I learned new things about STEM and I am very happy to meet new friends in this program”, said Muhammad Syamil ‘Adli Muhammad Shukri, a student who joined the program. Meanwhile, Nur Husna binti Shamsuddin Azmi, another participant, said that the program gives her an opportunity to explore her talent in STEM and also gain her confidence in communication.
As a summary, the 4th Intensive QGen 2018 has offered benefits to the students in terms of STEM, personal development, and soft skills. The students were also overwhelmed with educational exposures to Chemical Engineering courses, non-academic activities, hospitality and the pleasant ambience throughout the program.
By: Dr Nor Khonisah Binti Daud & Dr Sunarti Abd Rahman, the Secretary of the the 4th Intensive QGen 2018.