Kuala Lumpur, 24 April – FameLab Malaysia 2018 National Final, a competition to find talent in communicating science, technology, engineering, medicine and mathematics (STEM) to the public, will be held at Mandarin Oriental Hotel on 3 May evening in conjunction with Going Global Conference.
The competition, jointly organised by the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and the British Council Malaysia, requires its participants to engage and entertain audiences in a three-minute presentation on their chosen STEM concept. It is open to all Malaysians who are 21 years old and above, study or work in science, engineering, technology, medicine or mathematics and are passionate about public engagement.
The following guests of honour will attend the event: Professor Tan Sri Zakri Abdul Hamid, Science Advisor to the Prime Minister and Joint-Chair (Government) of MIGHT; Professor Jo Beall, Director Education and Society, Executive Board, British Council; Sarah Deverall, Director Malaysia, British Council; and Datuk Dr Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman, President and Chief Executive Officer, MIGHT.
A total of 10 finalists were shortlisted during Regional Heats held in March 2018 and will compete in the National Final on 3 May 2018. The finalists were equipped with stage performance and public speaking skills through a weekend Communication Masterclass organised by the British Council on 7 and 8 April 2018. It was delivered by Dallas Campbell, a British television presenter, actor and also a science communicator.
The winner of the National Final will receive RM3000 cash prize and represent Malaysia in a battle with national winners of more than 25 other participating countries for the title of FameLab International Champion. The FameLab International will be held on 7 June 2018 in the UK during Cheltenham Science Festival (5-10 June 2018).
Presentations will be assessed on the three following main criteria – content, clarity and charisma. The panel of judges for the National Final will be Professor Sir Martyn Poliakoff CBE FRS FREng, Research Professor of Chemistry, University of Nottingham; Prof. Dr Wan Wardatul Amani, Research Professor of Biosensors and Bio-Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (Bio-MEMS), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM); and Dr Liz Alexander, Consultant and Trainer on Thought Leadership and Strategic Communication.
FAMELAB
FameLab was founded in 2005 by Cheltenham Science Festival in the United Kingdom and has since grown into a global competition in partnership with the British Council. It was brought to Malaysia in 2015 by the British Council in collaboration with MIGHT through MIGHT Academy Platform with the objective of addressing the communication gap between scientists and the public. Communicating science in an attractive and comprehensible manner to non-scientific audience promotes science education and inspires future generations of scientists whilst increasing public understanding of complex scientific information concerning their daily lives.
In 2016, Malaysia National Champion, Dr. Abhi Veerakumasivam went on to become FameLab International Champion defeating national winners from more than 25 different countries. He was the first FameLab International Champion for Malaysia and also for Asia region.
Globally, FameLab is a successful model in identifying, training and mentoring young scientists and engineers to share their enthusiasm for the subjects with the public. As one of the biggest science communications competitions in the world, FameLab reached out to more than 5500 scientists and engineers from more than 30 different countries who have competed in FameLab worldwide since 2007 and earned around 22 million media views each year. It is truly an international event where scientists and engineers from around the world meet, network and engage international audiences whilst broadening their views of what it means to be working in science today.
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We work with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Last year we reached over 65 million people directly and 731 million people overall including online, broadcasts and publications. We make a positive contribution to the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust.
Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government.
www.britishcouncil.org
The British Council in Malaysia
We celebrate 70 years in Malaysia in 2018. Our work range from teaching English to adults and young learners, teacher and corporate training, providing assessment and examinations services, promoting British education, and demonstrating the innovation, creativity and excellence of British arts, literature and design.
We teach around 5,300 students a month in our three centres in Kuala Lumpur, Damansara, and Penang. Our programmes in the arts develop connections and networks, and reach diverse audiences. This year, Malaysia will join two regional programmes to support the future of craft and the development of creative hubs.
www.britishcouncil.my
Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT)
The Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) is a government implementation agency under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Department. MIGHT plays a key role in developing Malaysia’s high technology for business through its role as a think-tank, private-public consensus building and business nurturing platforms. It is an organisation built on the strength of public-private partnership with more than 100 members, both local and international, from industry, government and academia.
www.might.org.my
Cheltenham Festivals
Cheltenham Festivals is the charitable organisation behind the town’s internationally acclaimed jazz, science, music and literature festivals. Through cutting-edge creative programming, Cheltenham’s four inspirational festivals have been at the forefront of the UK’s cultural scene since the inaugural music festival in 1945.
For more information, please visit: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com