Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur — On 12 and 13 April 2025, IMU University in Bukit Jalil came alive with excitement and discovery during Karnival Kimia Malaysia (K2M) 2025, a national science carnival themed “Exploring the Wonders of Science.” Jointly organised by IMU’s School of Pharmacy and Institut Kimia Malaysia (IKM), and recognised under Minggu Sains Negara, the event welcomed over 300 secondary school and pre-university students, teachers, and members of the public from across Malaysia.
The two-day event aimed to spark interest in science, promote hands-on learning, and demonstrate the importance of chemistry in everyday life. It also served to inspire students to consider careers in chemistry and other science-related fields.
A Lively Opening Ceremony
K2M 2025 opened with an inspiring ceremony graced by Prof Dr Ian Martin Symonds (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, IMU University), Prof Dr Ong Chin Eng (Dean, School of Pharmacy, IMU University), Prof ChM Dr Juan Joon Ching (IKM Council Member), DCP (R) Dato’ ChM Dr Yew Chong Hooi (IKM Council Member), ChM Dr Li Hui Ling (Advisor, K2M 2025 & IKM Council Member), and Prof ChM Dr Phang Sook Wai (IKM Council Member). The launch featured engaging speeches, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and an energetic performance by the IMU Pharmaceutical Chemistry students.
Event Highlights: Workshops, Competitions, Interactive Booths & Forums
Malaysia Schools’ Analyst Competition
A key feature of K2M 2025 was the Malaysia Schools’ Analyst Competition, held in collaboration with the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK). The competition began with an online round on 23 March 2025, followed by a Grand Finale at IMU on 12 April 2025, where high school and Pre-University finalists across Malaysia solved real-world analytical chemistry problems in a lab setting.
Hands-On Workshops
Students took part in a series of immersive hands-on workshops, engaging in activities such as soap and lip balm preparation, hydrogel making, chemical extraction from painkillers, computer-aided drug discovery, ELISA testing, bacterial microscopy, and various other laboratory techniques. These sessions provided valuable opportunities for students to explore scientific principles through practical application, enhancing both their understanding and confidence in the lab.
Interactive Booths
A variety of interactive booths highlighted disciplines in chemistry, pharmacy, and health sciences—including pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacy, biotechnology, dietetics, nutrition, biomedical sciences, and nursing. Visitors explored these fields through mini-experiments, interactive quizzes, and live demonstrations, sparking curiosity and promoting interdisciplinary learning.
Poster and Video Competitions
Students demonstrated their creativity and scientific insight by presenting posters and videos based on the themes “Pharmacy for the Planet: Sustainable Innovations in Practice” and “Turning Green: Reducing the Environmental Impact of Drugs!”
These competitions encouraged critical thinking, effective science communication, and innovative ideas to promote sustainability in pharmacy practices and pharmaceutical development.
Forum Sessions
Two engaging forum sessions offered students valuable perspectives on future careers in chemistry and pharmacy:
- “Chemistry: A World of Endless Possibilities” featured experts from academia, government, and industry—who shared their experiences and insights into the diverse career paths available within the chemical sciences.
- “Pharmacy: Bridging Science and Patient Care” brought together professionals from community and hospital pharmacy, as well as healthcare innovation, to explore how scientific knowledge is translated into meaningful patient care solutions.
From Hesitation to Inspiration: Pre- and Post-Event Insights
A pre-event survey involving 281 participants aged 16 to 19 revealed that while 71.2% expressed a strong interest in chemistry, only 33.1% felt confident in their understanding of the subject. Interestingly, 60.5% were attending a science carnival for the first time, underscoring K2M’s role as a critical entry point into the world of science education and outreach.
Post-event feedback showed a significant positive shift. A total of 77.5% rated the event as either “engaging” or “very engaging,” while 93.1% gave the overall experience a positive rating. The hands-on workshops emerged as the highlight for 70% of attendees. Most importantly, nearly 70% of participants reported an increased interest in chemistry, and an impressive 96.4% indicated they gained a better understanding of its relevance in everyday life. Students commended the workshops, booths, and competitions for making complex scientific concepts more accessible, enjoyable, and inspiring.
Conclusion: A Catalyst for the Future of Science
K2M 2025 successfully fulfilled its mission of making science accessible, engaging, and inspiring. As the flagship outreach programme of IKM, it continues to ignite curiosity and empower Malaysia’s next generation of scientists through immersive learning and career exploration.
Acknowledgements
Karnival Kimia Malaysia (K2M) 2025 was made possible through the generous funding support of Institut Kimia Malaysia (IKM), IMU University’s School of Pharmacy, and the Student Representative Council (SRC). The Royal Society of Chemistry (UK) also provided valuable academic collaboration through its co-organisation of the Malaysia Schools’ Analyst Competition. In-kind contributions from Xepa-Soul Pattinson (Malaysia), Health Lane Pharmacy Group, and Mamami Shoppe Sdn Bhd further enhanced the event experience. Together, their support played a vital role in delivering a vibrant, enriching, and impactful outreach programme for all participants.
Organising Committee Reflections
The success of K2M 2025 was the result of unwavering dedication from IMU School of Pharmacy faculty members and a passionate team of student volunteers from the Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacy programmes. From event planning and logistics to facilitation and programme design, students were actively involved in every stage—ensuring a seamless, inclusive, and enriching experience for all participants.
For the IMU Pharmaceutical Chemistry student organising committee, the journey was nothing short of transformative. Beyond managing operations and public engagement, they took the lead in coordinating scientific sessions and hands-on activities, gaining invaluable experience in leadership, collaboration, and science communication. Under the guidance of Organising Chair, A/Prof ChM Dr Lee Choy Sin, the students not only delivered a successful national-level event but also deepened their appreciation for chemistry outreach and the power of community-based science education.
The organising committee also extended their appreciation to the many departments whose behind-the-scenes efforts were essential—particularly MDL, FMA, ITS, and others whose operational and technical support enabled the smooth execution of the event. Special appreciation goes to the event collaborator, the School of Health Sciences, whose contributions to the hands-on workshops and interactive booths added depth, diversity, and excitement to the participant experience.
Thoughts Shared