By: Noor Eszereen Juferi
Photo By: Saleha Haron
NILAI, Sept 18 – The Section of Intervention Services, Registrar Office, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) organised the ‘Jelajah Komuniti’ (Tour with the Community) Series, “Hands of Hopes Programme” for 300 students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Nilai Impian, Nilai to foster interest in science.
Head of Section, Intervention Services, Registrar Office, UPM, Siti Fatimah Abdul Ghani said the programme was a collaborative effort with the Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences (FBSB), UPM, is in line with the university’s function as a ‘Tower of Knowledge’ in contributing towards knowledge transfer to secondary school students.
“This activity was significant in having UPM experts go over to schools to provide exposure to students as well as an element of motivation so that they understand their role when seeking knowledge at a university,” she said.
The SMK Nilai Impian, Nilai, Co-curriculum Senior Assistant, Pu’at Mohd Haron said the programme can directly foster school students’ interest to favour and love the science subject.
“This early exposure can become a guide for school students to obtain information and open the minds of students to choose a science major at a higher level later,” he said.
Form 1 student of SMK Nilai Impian, Nilai, Nurul Syaqirah Iman, said she was happy that UPM held such a programme because she could directly gain new knowledge in the field of science.
“I hope UPM will continue this programme because it gives the basic understanding that science is not difficult, but rather fun when applied in everyday life,” she said.
Among the programmes conducted was a sharing session with UPM Polar Scientist, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siti Aqlima Ahmad and ‘The Role of Biochemistry in Life’ by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Syahida Ahmad and students too had the opportunity to conduct science experiments through the science exhibition and experiment slots provided by the UPM FBSB, together with other UPM students who participated.
In the meantime, the programme was an extension of the involvement of the Section of Intervention Services, Registrar Office, UPM in Putra Bakti UPM, where a tour with the community series will be held to provide an opportunity to create collaboration through comprehensive involvement of UPM experts.
Previously, the ‘Jelajah Komuniti’ Series was held in 2022 at Sekolah Kebangsaan Desa Cempaka, Nilai, and the third series will be held on 10 October 2023 at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Serdang, Selangor.
