Two Malaysian Students Take Part In CERN Summer Programme In Switzerland

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- Two Malaysian students are among 150 young scientists from across the globe selected for the CERN Summer Student Programme (CSSP), taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from June to August.

The programme, organised by the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), offers selected participants the opportunity to take part directly in particle physics research alongside world-renowned scientists.

Felicia Houng Teen Teen, 28, a Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) student pursuing a Master of Science in Nuclear Science, said she would use the golden opportunity to strengthen nuclear-related research in Malaysia.

“Being at CERN and working alongside some of the brightest minds in the world is an incredible experience. As a physics student, this is the most amazing and inspiring place.

“I hope that programs like this will inspire younger generations of Malaysians to dare to dream and strive towards excellence in the field of science,” she said in a statement issued by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) today.

Muhammad Aiman Zulkipli, 21, a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Theoretical Physics student at Lancaster University, United Kingdom, said he never imagined his dream of joining the programme would come true.

“Representing Malaysia in the CSSP programme is an incredible honour. A few years ago, this opportunity felt like a distant dream. Here, I not only get to work with experts from all over the world, but I also have the opportunity to deeply understand the latest technologies and experiments in particle physics,” he said.

Since 2012, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) have served as the official nominating bodies for Malaysian students to the CSSP. To date, 27 students, including this year’s participants, have represented the country in the programme.

According to MOSTI, the programme offered the country’s young scientists the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in world-class research and apply theoretical knowledge acquired at university in a real-world research setting.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Chang Lih Kang described the participation as part of efforts to strengthen science diplomacy and support human capital development.

“MOSTI is committed to providing more international platforms for young Malaysian scientists to build global networks and contribute to world-class innovation.

“Their participation is in line with the MADANI Daya Cipta core, which contributes to the renewal and empowerment of human capital to generate more sustainable creativity for the global good,” he said.

According to the CSSP website, the programme provides a unique opportunity for bachelor’s and master’s degree students in physics, computing, engineering and mathematics to participate in daily research assignments with CERN research teams.

Throughout the programme, participants not only work directly with research teams but also attend a series of lectures by experts in theoretical physics, experimental particle physics and computing from various countries.

Participants will also visit particle accelerator facilities and experimental areas, in addition to discussion sessions, workshops, and poster presentations of research findings.

--BERNAMA