Callum Tan represents Curtin Malaysia at ACS event in the United States

Miri – 2 October 2017 – Third-year mechanical engineering student Callum Tan Dai Lim of Curtin University, Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) had the opportunity of a lifetime to represent the university at the 254th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting & Exposition in Washington DC recently.

The ACS National Meeting & Exposition is held twice a year in various cities around the United States. It offers scientific professionals a legitimate platform to present, publish, discuss and exhibit the most exciting research discoveries and technologies in chemistry and its related disciplines.

The scientific meeting with the theme ‘Chemistry’s Impact on the Global Economy’ was attended by nearly 13,000 participants from around the world. 29 technical divisions and five committees were involved in staging the 5-day event, and over 9,300 papers and 2,700 posters were presented.

According to Tan, who is the president of the ACS Student Chapter at Curtin Malaysia, the event was a fascinating experience as he got to meet and exchange views on chemistry with participants from all over the world during the event’s networking sessions.

“I was really moved by the passion and commitment of the chemists and chemists-to-be at the event, all working together towards a better future for future generations regardless of race or nationality. The presentations given by some of them were really inspiring,” said Tan.

“A simple idea can spark massive change, much like the ACS which was initially just an idea and became the world’s largest scientific society. I learned at the event that everyone can be an agent of change, which has encouraged me to work harder to become one to change the future,” added Tan.

In addition to attending the meeting and several related seminars and expos, Tan also participated in ACS’s attempt at breaking the Guinness Book of World Records’ record for ‘Largest Chemistry Class’.

Tan (far left, 2nd row) with US National Medal of Science Laureate Dr Mostafa A. El-Sayed (2nd left, front row) and students from other countries.