UM student sole Malaysian representative to CSSP

KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Malaya student Vincent Tee Ming Han is the country’s sole representative to the European Organisation for Nuclear Research’s (CERN) Summer Student Programme (CSSP) in Geneva, Switzerland, which begins today.

In a statement yesterday, the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) said 22-year-old Tee, a Bachelor of Science (Physics) undergraduate, will be in Geneva for at least eight to 13 weeks, which will give him the opportunity to meet young scientists from around the world.

This will also give Tee the opportunity to share his knowledge in the field of particle physics and computing, both theoretical and experimental.

Tee was quoted as saying that his participation in the CSSP is a stepping stone towards his goal of becoming a particle physicist and contributing to the advancement of the field in Malaysia, Bernama reported.

“I am grateful to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation as well as ASM for giving students in Malaysia the opportunity to participate in programmes such as the CSSP,” according to the statement.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang was quoted in the same statement as saying that the participation of students like Tee in the programme would open up their potential to become excellent researchers and help improve the lives of the community.

“The opportunity for students to participate in a programme like the CSSP is a valuable experience, especially through exposure to a dynamic research environment, where they can share knowledge and ideas and engage in challenging experiments and projects,” he said.

Meanwhile, ASM president Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen Tengku Ibrahim said the students’ participation in the CSSP would promote excellence among the young researchers to conduct cutting-edge international research and build a wider network of collaboration.

“This experience will definitely have a great impact on their career development in the field of science and technology,” he said.

ASM has opened nominations for the CSSP to all students from public and private universities every year since 2012. So far, 23 people have been nominated for the programme.

ASM is responsible for shortlisting candidates for Malaysia, while the final selection is made by the CSSP committee members. All participants are funded by the CSSP and they will attend meetings, including a visit to European Organisation for Nuclear Research or CERN.

They are also required to write a report at the end of their participation in the programme.