University of Malaya (UM) and Pusat Sains Negara (National Science Center) jointly organized a “Meet the Scientist” session at Pusat Sains Negara on the 24 September 2014. The session featured a UM Academic Icon, Professor Dr George T.F. Wong, who spoke on “The Ocean in the Brave New World”.

Professor Wong is a visiting professor from Academia Sinica in Taiwan. With his immense experience of 38 years in Oceanography, Professor Wong shared his research work, findings and effects of the rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide on the oceans. While in Malaysia, Professor Wong is attached to the Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), University of Malaya. IOES is a Center of Excellence (CoE) and functions as a research, academic training and technology development institute focusing on marine and maritime related fields. Since 2013, IOES has operated a marine research station in Bachok, Kelantan.

Students from Sri Cempaka School listening to an explanation by Dr Chew Li Lee from the Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), University of Malaya

About 150 secondary school students participated in the half day program. Apart from the presentation by Professor Wong, and an opportunity to interact with a real life Scientist, the students were also given a chance to learn about IOES and the type of research done at the institute; as well as a tour of the galleries in Pusat Sains Negara. The main goal of such a program is to afford students first-hand exposure to science. Pusat Sains Negara aims to spark interest among school students and hopefully inspire them to pursue careers in science.