Eight Students to represent Malaysia at Intel ISEF 2012

Malaysian students to tackle environmental issues on global stage

KUALA LUMPUR, May 10, 2012 – Eight Malaysian students have been selected to represent the country at this year’s Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The students have developed different solutions to global environmental issues, including global warming, marine pollution and green energy.
The annual Intel ISEF provides an opportunity for over 1,500 students from around the globe to share ideas, showcase cutting-edge science projects, and compete for international recognition and over US$4 million in awards and scholarships.

“The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair is a great platform for Malaysian students to showcase their talents in innovation with their peers and compete with other students on a global stage. This annual event underlines our continued commitment to cultivate the next generation of scientists and innovators and is in line with the Ministry of Education’s declaration of 2012 as the Year of Innovation,” said Prakash Mallya, country manager, Intel Malaysia.

Malaysia’s student representatives will be vying for awards at Intel ISEF, with projects aimed at addressing current environmental issues. The student group project by Nurul Nadiah bt. Rusli, Sufi Syahadah bt. Mohd Ali and Norain bt. Kambali of SMK Maokil, Segamat, searches for a substitute for polystyrene using the soft spongy material obtained from tapioca stems. Commonly used as food packaging due to its insulation properties, polystyrene may impact the environmental from its usage and disposal.

An individual student project by Wan Muhd Syafiq b Wan Mohd Zairuddin from Mara Junior Science College Taiping, Perak will showcase Kenaf, a tropical fibercrop closely related to cotton and jute, as a natural, renewable option for absorbing oil waste and as a source of green energy.
Participating students from all over the world are set to compete in a diverse range of categories, including computer science, engineering, energy and transportation, environmental management and environmental science.

Intel ISEF finalists are selected annually from 443 affiliated fairs around the world. Their projects are then evaluated onsite by hundreds of judges from diverse scientific disciplines, each typically with a Ph.D or the equivalent of six years of related professional experience in one of the scientific disciplines. The Intel ISEF 2012 is funded jointly by Intel and the Intel Foundation with additional support from other corporate, academic, government and science-focused sponsors.

More information about the Intel ISEF 2012 can be found at http://www.societyforscience.org/intelisef2012.