By: Dr. Mohd Noor Hisham Mohd Nadzir, Anna Karrenina Suryanadi, Aishah Perkins, Nawwar Syazana Ariffin, Muhammad Syamim Jairi
SERDANG – A total of 641 students from various public/private institutes of higher learning (IPT), including from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), have participated in the BioChallenge 5.0 2022 programme organised by the Biology Student Club (KMB), Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, UPM.
The student participation was higher than the BioChallenge 4.0 2021 programme because two new activities - “BioPOETRY” and “BioCOMICS” - were introduced, in addition to the activities - “BioTALK”, “BioINFOGRAPHIC”, “BioINNOVATE”, “BioESSAY”, “BioPHOTO” and “ BioVIDEO ”.
The programme was held from January 10 to 16, 2022, and themed 'Dive Into Biology with New Excitement'. It was held through a new online method through various social media platforms, aimed at increasing participants' knowledge in the field of biology.
Among the educational institutions involved were Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Penang Matriculation College, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Universiti Malaya, SMK Raja Perempuan Ipoh, Perak, SMK Bukit Sentosa, Matriculation College Johor, Melaka Matriculation College, Pahang Matriculation College, Perak Matriculation College, Labuan Matriculation College, Kedah Matriculation College, Human Genius College, National Smart Genius College, and Sultan Alam Shah College.
Programme adviser, Dr. Mohd Noor Hisham Mohd Nadzir, said the programme aimed to encourage students to explore biology with a more interesting and effective method, in accordance with the new norms.
"This programme proves that learning techniques do not only depend on the face to face teaching and learning (PdPR) in the classroom but instead utilise existing technology to explore knowledge with a new and more efficient method," he said.
He said the programme encouraged students to sharpen their minds to think outside the box and instil curiosity in themselves.
BioChallenge 5.0 2022 is one of UPM's initiatives, especially from the Department of Biology towards producing students who are capable, responsible, knowledgeable, able to think critically and competitive in the future, "he said.
Programme director, Anna Karrenina Suryanadi, hoped the programme would increase knowledge and provide a space to highlight students' talents in various fields, such as photography, videography, writing, painting, speaking, and innovation.
"This proves that science is not a field that can only be studied and explored by Science students only because we as human beings are part of Science," she said.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, students have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of biological sciences, which can indirectly increase creativity and innovation and critical thinking in solving challenges for each competition they participate in.
The programme received sponsorship and support from the Faculty of Science, UPM, and KMB with a total fund of RM1,623 successfully collected and donations in the form of goods from Argania, a local business product based on facial skincare. - UPM
