CHEM-E EXPO 2026 USM BOOSTS SCHOOL STUDENTS’ INTEREST IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY

NIBONG TEBAL, 11 April 2026 - The Chemical Engineering Students Society (ChESS), School of Chemical Engineering, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), today organised the Chem-E Expo 2026 programme as part of an initiative to strengthen the culture of science, technology and sustainability among school students and the local community.

The closing ceremony of Chem-E Expo 2026, which successfully attracted approximately 400 participants, was officiated by the Campus Director, Professor Ir. Dr. Mariatti Jaafar @ Mustapha.

In her speech, she said that the organisation of Chem-E Expo reflects the strong commitment of the organisers in fostering interest in engineering, particularly chemical engineering, while highlighting the curiosity and active participation of attendees.

She emphasised that such programmes play a vital role in strengthening the campus’s position as a hub for innovation and research, while also providing early exposure to school students on the real-world applications of engineering in daily life.

“The programme is also expected to cultivate awareness of sustainable practices, while creating opportunities for out-of-classroom learning that are both impactful and value-adding for students,” she said.

She added that participation in interactive activities, along with opportunities to engage with experts from the school, can help nurture a generation that is not only technically competent but also equipped with critical and creative thinking skills.

She also expressed hope that such programmes will continue to be strengthened as platforms to spark ideas, build confidence and bridge the gap between academia, schools and the community.

Meanwhile, the Dean of the School of Chemical Engineering, Professor Ir. Dr. Zainal Ahmad, emphasised in his speech the importance of continuously promoting engineering to the younger generation through approaches that are more engaging and relatable.

According to him, engineering should be viewed from its true perspective as a discipline that shapes critical thinking and problem-solving skills, rather than merely being seen as a difficult academic field.

He also expressed hope that Chem-E Expo 2026 would serve as an early exposure platform to broaden students’ perspectives on the vast opportunities within science and technology, ultimately encouraging them to pursue this path in the future.

“While the world is rapidly advancing with technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the need for human insight and thinking in engineering remains irreplaceable,” he said.

He also encouraged students to view engineering as an exciting journey rather than a difficult or burdensome path, while expressing hope to see more students pursuing this field at USM in the future.

Among the participating schools were Kolej Tingkatan Enam Kulim, Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi Gopeng and MRSM Pendang, along with several other schools from Kedah and Penang, bringing the total number of participating schools to 12.

Text and Photo: Courtesy of The Chemical Engineering Students Society (ChESS)

Editing: Siti Faizah Abdul Halim