STEM - Missing the Roots for the Branches: Keynote Address at the International Science & Nature Congress 2015 (ISNaC 2015)

The Opening Ceremony.  At the table are from left Tan Sri Salleh Mohd Noor, Chairman of the Steering Committee; YB Datuk Madius Tangau, Minister of MOSTI; Datuk Dr Soon Ting Kueh, Chairman Organising Committee

Section of the participants - with Dato' Dr. Abdul Rashid Ab. Malik, CEO Pulau Banding Foundation

 Cutting the Anniversary Cake to signify the Official Opening of the Congress

With Prof. Mashhor Mansor of USM

1.  Introduction:  The International Science &  Nature Congress 2015 (ISNaC 2015) was held from 21 to 23 September, 2015 at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur.  It was jointly organised by four scientific-related organisations, who were celebrating their anniversaries - Malaysian Nature Society (MNS 75th), Malaysian Scientific Association (MSA 60th), Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM 30th) and the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM 20th), to discuss the latest findings in scientific research, technological development encompassing materials science, nanotechnology, organic chemistry, forest product development and technology, and, nature and biodiversity conservation. These four organisations: FRIM has been in the forefront of tropical forestry research; MNS, an NGO who has been a long time champion of the conservation and protection; ASM, an organisation that 'undertakes strategic STI studies and delivers programs that mobilise a wide spectrum of expertise through its local and international partners to bring scientific community to a common consultative platform with stakeholders to provide timely, relevant and credible STI inputs to address issues of national and global importance'; MSA, an NGO that promotes science to the public; has been brought together by a dynamic, versatile academician who has been involved in all the four organisations serving in different capacities and currently President of the Malaysian Scientific Association and also served as Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Conference, Academician Tan Sri Dr. Salleh Mohd Nor.  The Congress was attended by close to 600 delegates from 20 countries including 50 Japanese scientists, senior professors and other academics.  It was officially declared open by YB Datuk Madius Tangau, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). The opening ceremony was followed by a keynote address at the plenary session of the Congress.

2.  Keynote Address:  The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Tan Sri Dato' (Dr) Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, FASc, Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia; Chair of Islamic Leadership, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia and President of the International Association Universities.  Prof. Dzulkifli, in discussing the topic 'STEM - Missing the Roots for the Branches' where STEM refers to Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, pointed out that the Second Machine Age, through science and technological development, has brought prosperity, which is associated with excessive consumption. This has subsequently brought serious consequences, as the population increases, the demand for such natural resources as forest products, biodiversity, water, energy etc escalates. Our environment and the ecosystems - terrestrial, marine and atmospheric - are destroyed and development becomes unsustainable and there is erosion of wisdom.  This, according to Prof Dzulkifli, is development brought about by an arrogant mind and when science loses its soul, leading to a society that is machinistic, dehumanising, utilitarian, externalised, hollowed-out and tech-dependent. He suggested a different approach where economic development is metaphorically regarded as development of the tree of knowledge where the tree is linked to the roots i.e mind and heart. The roots can change and different trees have different types of roots. Nevertheless, these vital roots can nourish relationship, collaboration and trust building that will provide the soul to the living tree via STEM.
  The 21st century, Prof. Dzulkifli added, is an Age of Biology and also an Age of Enlightenment where there is a shift from Mechanical to Organic; Technology-based to Nature-based; Arrogant mind to Humility mind;where things are undertaken with the heart of love, justice, mercy and loyalty. Instead of STEM where economic needs and technology are emphasised,  the scientific community has to adopt the acronym STREAM where R refers to Religion (spiritual needs), E to Ecology, A-Arts, M-Management. Ultimately, the ROOTS have to be anchored strongly where the considerations are maintaining balance, humanity focused, quality of life, high purpose of life, believe in karma and connected to MICROCOSMOS.  and Technology has to be looked at as fit for the purpose, user-friendly and sustainable.  Development in the Malaysian context is INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE, COLLABORATIVE and CULTURALLY-SENSITIVE.

3.  Other Scientific Programmes. There were four concurrent sessions of the Congress covering:

      3. 1 Conference of Forestry & Forest Products Research which covered, among others, such                      topics as :
             - An Effective Future Forest Management Approach for the Protection of Environment
             - Forestry and Environment R & D
             - Tourist Carrying Capacity Assessment for Ecotourism Development
             - Evapotranspiration in a Small Forested Catchment
             - Forestry in the Post 2020 Climate Change Regime: Role of Science
             -  National and World Heritage Sites
             - Forest Biotechnology
             - Forest Biodiversity
             - Natural Products
             - Forest Economic and Social Sciences

         3.2 Symposium on Materials Science and Nanotechnology touched on Functional                                      Polymer, Nanotechnology, Composite and Other Materials, Advanced Materials.

         3.3 Symposium on Organic Chemistry discussed Synthesis, Mechanism and Reactivity,                              primarily studies undertaken by the Japaneses scientists

         3.4 Symposium on Biodiversity and Nature attracted environmentalists who highlighted the                      serious threats to our biodiversity such as fireflies, sea grass in the Straits of Johor, tigers,                    birds in Setiu Wetlands, montane flora in Cameron Highlands, seabirds in the East Coast                      Malaysia, Sunda pangolin in Peninsular Malaysia, elephants.  MNS, the organiser of the                      Symposium, took the opportunity to report on the conservation achievements during the 75                  years of its existence and its partnership with the corporate sector in the various                                    conservation projects.

       

       

In the Symposium on Biodiversity and Nature with from right Dato' Ghazaly Yusoff, member of BOT MNS; Mr. Vincent Chow, Chairman MNS Johor Branch; Mr. Henry Goh, President MNS 

Group photo with participants at the Symposium on Biodiversity and Nature

4. Concluding Remarks  There is so much information one can get from the Congress of this nature within the short space of time.  However, there were too many sessions to cover in this Congress.  I was particularly interested on issues pertaining to many aspects of forestry from its effect to climate change, rehabilitation, selective logging; on biodiversity and nature and conservation efforts; also on some aspects of nanotechnology.  I could manage a few presentations on biodiversity and nature.  At the same time the Congress provided me the opportunity to catch up with old friends as I am involved in various capacities in three (ASM, MNS, MSA) out of the four organisations associated with the Congress.  I too have many friends in FRIM.

Written and posted on 13/10/2015