PENANG, 24 October 2015 –The students of SMK (P) St. George and Penang Free School were presented with a rare opportunity of learning science together with the students of Yokohama Science Frontier High School (YSFHS), Japan at the Chancellory Conference Hall, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) recently.

This knowledge transfer programme and sharing of research results to the school students in Penang is an annual event of YSFHS which began five years ago.

According to the former Dean of School of Humanities, Abdul Rahim Ibrahim, such a programme is very important in the field of education today because it allows sharing of ideas and students’ work which should be expanded to the international level as exemplified by the YSFHS students.

"Students should go in-depth when presenting their research results similar to the presentations we see at international seminars and conferences," said Abdul Rahim to more than 100 school students, including those from YSFHS.

"There are many similarities between Japan and Malaysia and the students should make full use of the opportunity today to exchange views and interact with each other so that the ties established today will bring forth benefits in the future," said a Visiting Professor to the Centre for Policy Research and International Studies (CenPRIS) USM, Professor Emeritus Omar Farouk Sheikh Ahmad.

"Japan is very famous for its rapid economic growth and technological expertise, and at the same time, they also embrace culture and traditions in their daily lives. Such a virtue should be emulated by all of us," added Omar Faroukwho had lived before in Japan for more than 20 years.

A total of 21 YSFHS students presented their science research projects in various fields including Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Environmental Science.

Speaking on behalf of the YSFHS students, Momoko Kubota said that they were very thankful to be given the opportunity to visit USM which is among the leading universities in Malaysia and this region, and present their work here in the campus.

“I am sure this occasion will provide a memorable experience for all YSFHS students and also the SMK (P) St. George and Penang Free School students who were present here today,” added Momoko Kubota.

Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe

Text: Nor Rafizah Md Zain

Photos: Zamani Abd. Rahim