Malaysia's Definition of creating history

I want throught this feature at BERNAMA about Najmil Creates History By Presenting Studies In British Parliament.

Congratulations, and also to this other chap, Ahmad Harraz, who did something very advanced for his age;Ahmad Harraz juara pertandingan sains AS, not a normal 11-year old Malaysian Malay kind of feat, if he is studying at a Malaysian SRJK, Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan, IMHO!

This starts people talking, everywhere, and this also include at Jeff Ooi's Screenshot.

The Jeff Ooi's blog permalink is here, while some conversations related to it there, is here. Good reading of comments there!

Which bring us all to my points of contentions, namely:-
01. What is wrong with national education if an 11-year old Malaysian, Ahmad Harraz can do it in the US of A, but not locally in Malaysia.
02. Why can't Malaysian universities' faculties do the same as the faculty at Universiti Wyoming did to Ahmad Harraz.
03. Why did Najmil, when asked about his resolution, said "he hoped to produce more graduates who are capable and confident in KUiTHHO to enable them to continue their studies overseas and taste the experience of being away from home just like him." Can't he keep teaching them at KUiTHHO to the highest and advanced level instead?
04. Following that, can't you just take vacation to a foreign land if you just need to experience being away from home?
05. How long still do Malaysian have to keep going abroad for advanced technology, as well as when do local universities be able to offer advanced technologies to those foreigners instead?

Okay, enough questions for the time being, any answers? Feedbacks appreciated. I do have some answers of my own, I'll talk about it the next time around.



In any ways, if you missed the Bernama's article, as well as the Utusan's, below are the pasted documents:-
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Bernama.com
Malaysian National News Agency

Najmil Creates History By Presenting Studies In British Parliament
Features
March 23, 2005 01:00 AM
By Roslan Ariffin

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) -- Najmil Faiz Mohamed Aris is an example of a young intellectual who raises Malaysia's image at the international level.

Having been selected as among Asia's best students, Najmil, 25, who is studying for a doctorate in engineering at the Leeds Metropolitan University, opened the eyes of the industry in the United Kingdom (UK) on the capability of a Malaysian through his innovation.

At the same time, he became the first Malaysian student who was given the honour to present his studies to the Members of Parliament (MPs) in London on March 14.

Najmil did not disappoint his audience who were very interested in his ideas and also encouraged him to continue with his studies about the Nano and Micro-Machine Process.

After presenting his high quality studies, British Industry Minister Brian Edden gave him a once-in-a-lifetime offer to present his studies at the House of Commons, the Lower House of the British parliament.

The Ipoh-born Najmil went to the UK in 2000 to pursue a bachelor's degree in engineering and is undergoing a post-graduate study.

He is expected to return home in March next year with his PhD and begin his career as a lecturer at Kolej Universiti Teknologi Tun Hussein Onn (KUiTTHO) in Batu Pahat, Johor.

Najmil, when met after receiving an excellent academic award from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Manchester recently, said he was selected to present his studies to the MPs on the recommendation of his university.

"I used that opportunity to prove that Malaysians are comparable with students from other countries, in fact in certain cases, we are better than them.

"That opportunity made be proud and I did not waste it to enhance the country's image," said Najimil who is the second of six siblings.

He said his studies, which had won the Best Research of Good Prospect award, was about a technology that reduces friction and able to reduce costs and enhances efficiency in the manufacturing industry.

Less friction would minimise wear and tear in machines used in industry, hence enabling industry to reduce costs by billions of ringgit worldwide.

"Many manufacturers are interested in the idea as it saves operational costs and time, enhances machine lifespan and gear efficiency," he said.

It could also be used by the health sector in helping to raise the success rate of spine and hip bone surgery, he said.

In carrying out his studies, he received the support and advice of the teaching staff of the university and other students.

He wished to share the knowledge and technology he had obtained with other Malaysians including KUiTTHO students upon his return as a lecturer.

"What is important to me is to learn in-depth the technology used in Britain especially in the fields of friction and lubrication. After this, I will compile all the technologies to be brought home and share them with the students back home," he said.

When asked on the possibility of him not returning home like other good students who had opted to stay back after completing their studies, Najmil said he had not thought of following in their footsteps.

"I will not forget my country of birth. It has been very good to me, including the government who sent me here," he said.

"Although there are many offers here, I will return home as soon as I have completed by studies."

When asked about his resolution, Najmil said he hoped to produce more graduates who are capable and confident in KUiTHHO to enable them to continue their studies overseas and taste the experience of being away from home just like him.

-- BERNAMA

Copyright © 2005 BERNAMA. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form except with the prior express permission of BERNAMA. Disclaimer

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Ahmad Harraz juara pertandingan sains AS

Oleh SAIFUL HAIZAN HASAM

KUALA LUMPUR 22 Mac - Seorang rakyat Malaysia, Ahmad Harraz Mohd. Reza, 11, murid sebuah sekolah rendah di Amerika Syarikat mengharumkan nama negara apabila muncul juara pertandingan sains melalui penyelidikannya bertaraf universiti, 7 Mac lalu.

Murid pintar dari Sekolah Rendah Spring Creek di Laramie, Wyoming itu menghasilkan penyelidikan mengenai kunyit sebagai agen untuk mencegah kanser ovari.

Penyelidikan peringkat junior kategori Perubatan dan Kesihatan itu bertajuk Can Curcumin, an Ingredient Found in Turmeric, Inhibit the Growth of Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Line SKOV-3 in Vitro?

Bapanya, Mohd. Reza Razali berkata, pada pertandingan itu, Ahmad Harraz berjaya menewaskan 12 peserta yang lain dalam kategori tersebut.

Ahmad Harraz, 11, dipilih menyertai pertandingan itu di bawah Program Kecerdikan dan Berbakat (G.A.T.E) sekolahnya.

Katanya, kemenangan Ahmad Harraz itu amat membanggakan kerana dia adalah peserta termuda dalam kategori yang dikhususkan untuk peserta berusia antara 11 hingga 14 tahun.

``Penyelidikannya telah dibantu oleh dua orang kakitangan Universiti Wyoming iaitu Pengarah Jabatan Biologi Molekul, Prof. Dr. Dale Isaak dan Penyelia Makmal di jabatan yang sama, Carole Hertz.

``Isaak juga membenarkan Ahmad Harraz menggunakan makmal peribadi beliau malah turut membantu mencari dan menyediakan sel kanser ovari bagi tujuan penyelidikan tersebut,'' katanya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia, di sini hari ini.

Berikutan kemenangan itu, Harraz telah menerima pencalonan untuk menyertai pertandingan peringkat nasional Cabaran Saintis Muda Discovery Channel di Washington pada Oktober ini.

Kata Mohd. Reza, pencalonan itu hanya diberikan kepada 10 orang peserta peringkat junior bagi seluruh negeri Wyoming.

``Ahmad Harraz yang mempunyai cita-cita untuk menjadi pakar bedah otak juga aktif di dalam sukan renang dan ski.

``Baru-baru ini, dia memenangi tempat kedua di dalam acara renang 50 meter gaya bebas dan kuak kupu-kupu untuk kumpulan B peringkat Wyoming dalam satu kejohanan yang disertai 600 peserta dalam kumpulan umur lapan hingga 15 tahun,'' ujarnya.

Katanya lagi, dia tidak berniat untuk bermegah atas pencapaian Ahmad Harraz tetapi beranggapan kejayaan itu sebagai bukti anak Melayu mampu untuk cemerlang dalam pelbagai bidang tidak kira di mana dia berada.
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