RAPT ATTENTION: (third from left onwards) Dato' Peter Ng, UCSI University founder; Prof Dr Lee Chai Buan, Deputy Vice Chancellor (International Relations), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chan Hor Kuan, dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences during the opening cer

THE MAGIC OF SCIENCE: (left to right) Dato' Peter Ng, UCSI University founder and Prof Dr Lee Chai Buan, Deputy Vice Chancellor (International Relations), officiating the 2nd Applied Science week as Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chan Hor Kuan.

HAEMOPHILIA QUIZ: UCSI's biotechnology student Alan Ng explaining the hereditary trend of the haemophilia disease using the European royal family tree.

THINK LIKE A BEE: UCSI's biotechnology student explaining the science of genetics to two students from SMK Petaling.

RAPT ATTENTION: (third from left onwards) Dato' Peter Ng, UCSI University founder; Prof Dr Lee Chai Buan, Deputy Vice Chancellor (International Relations), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chan Hor Kuan, dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences during the opening cer

KUALA LUMPUR: UCSI University's Faculty of Applied Sciences students showcased their innovation in food science and understanding of genetics with the recent 2nd Applied Science Week held at the university's Kuala Lumpur campus. 

The event was officiated by Dato' Peter Ng, UCSI University founder; Prof Dr Lee Chai Buan, Deputy Vice Chancellor (International Relations), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chan Hor Kuan, dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences. 

Held annually since 2007, the event was renamed after the faculty, when the biotechnology programme students participated along with the food science and nutrition students in 2012. 

This year's event included activities such as the W.O.W Food Fair, Biotech Showcase, various workshops for secondary school students, Malaysian Institute of Food Technology (MIFT) Roadshow, Oratory Competition, and public lecture. 

The event serves as a platform for applied sciences students to utilise the theories learned in the classroom in real world settings while making a difference in the lives of the underprivileged as well as raising the public's understanding of biotechnology. 

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chan, the students have benefited greatly from this yearly event, as the quality of the food creations and biotechnology displays have continuously improved. 

"I am very proud of them, as they have really gone the extra mile to produce their 'products' whether it is food by the food science students or the genetics display by the biotech students," she said adding that she was also impressed by the teamwork shown by the students. 

Some of the unique food products created by the students included the tomyum kimchi made from watermelon rinds, a unique three layered fruit jelly with refreshing lemon juice between the layers, dumplings with chia seeds, and muffins made from black okara (black soybeans). 

All proceeds from the food fair will be channeled towards Rumah Shalom, a home for orphaned and underprivileged children. This, according to lecturer Ms Carolyn Loong, serves to teach the students to develop an outward looking perspective and look at the bigger picture. 

To raise the public’s understanding of genetic diseases, the biotechnology students came up with various games and displays for the Biotech Showcase. 

"It is important for everyone to understand genetic diseases like haemophilia and Down Syndrome, as it doesn't just affect biotech students," said Alan Ng, a third year BSc (Hons) Biotechnology student. 

Various workshops were also held for high school students to introduce them to the importance of nutrition, biotechnology and microbiology. 

According to Muhd Alif and Nur Anisah, 17, from SMK Petaling, the workshops were interesting, especially since they were given their own DNA samples in a sterile bottle to bring home.