The Tutong Sixth Form Centre (PTE Tutong) held the 4th Youth Science Symposium recently, an annual fixture of the college’s Science department. In her opening remarks, the Head of Science, as chairperson of the organising committee, Cikgu Nurdiyanah Goh Abdullah said, "this (symposium) provides a platform for students to do research and introduce them to the demands of the higher education. This kind of competition also helps to develop students in honing their public speaking skills to communicate science effectively."

Three Year 13 students presented confidently to a panel of three external adjudicators on the topic of their choices revolving around the main theme of the symposium this year – World-changing ideas. Following each presentation, the adjudicators questioned the presenterson their knowledge of current issues related to the topics and how much their research has covered the field of that particular topic.

Dr. Siti completed her DPhil (PhD) at the Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford in May 2017. She was a UBD Chancellor Scholar and iscurrently a lecturer from Biomedical Science Institute of Health PAPRSB IHS, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). Dr. Siti has published a number of peer-reviewed publications (reviews, research articles and book chapters) relevant to her research in international journals. Her research interest is in reproductive medicine, specifically infertility in both male and idiopathic factors.

Cikgu Yani is currently the coordinator for the Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan’s signature Mumtaz Programme since its inception in 2013. This is a Science and Mathematics Talent Development Programme for Year 9 and 10 students of the college. The programme teaches students the foundation of carrying out a scientific research. At the end of the programme the students produce an original group science research project and article.

Dr Andery Lim completed his PhD in Energy Studies (2016) from Universiti Brunei Darussalam, focussing on the use of potential natural dyes found in Brunei Darussalam for Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells (DSSCs). He has co-authored and published several research papers in renowned international Journals, with more than 160 citations and Scopus h-index= 7.

Muhammad Asyraf bin Zulkipli emerged as the best presenter of the symposium. He convinced the adjudicators and wowed his audience by explaininghow the invention of satellite communication has been one of the most significant world-changing ideas to our quality of life. Not only did he twist his words cleverly to convince the audience, he even simulated body gestures to further illustrate his justification.

As the first runner-up presenter, Nurul Afiyah Huang Binti Mohammed Faiz Nabil, talked about Induced Pluripotent Stem (IPS) cells that werediscovered first by two Japanese scientists. She touched on the claims thatthe method is one that could solve several ethical issues that arise from using embryonic stem cells or adult stem cells. She believes that the use of IPS cells is a good alternative of treatment without affecting others.

Equally well presented, Zulfah Zuhairah Binti Haji Abdul Rani settled as the second runner-up. Globally used in significant amounts, fertilisers help farmers and fruit growers to increase crop yield and provide partial solution to ending world hunger. She explained the importance of nitrogen content in plants, touching on advantages and disadvantages of using organic and inorganic fertilisers. Its growing cost of course was attributed to rising energy costs for the Haber process, and that has inevitably led to increase in food prices worldwide also.

This year’s symposium pays a special tribute to Cg Bryan David Haysum, a Biology tutor of the college who would be much missed once he retires in a few months time. He was the Head of Science when the inaugural symposium was held in 2014. His favourite singer, Bruce Springsteen once said you can’t start a fire without a spark, but Cg Bryan believes that you actually can with science. This passionate spirit for science continues to drive the college’s Science department as part of its A-Level programme.

The event was supported by student volunteers who are part of the college’s signature organization, the PTET Youth Science Forum (PTET YSF). The student-run organization delivers lunchtime lectures and also publishes bimonthly newsletters covering science stories amongst other interesting original articles. More information regarding the symposium can be found on www.ptetyouthscienceforum.wordpress.com.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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