KUALA LUMPUR, 5 November 2024 ― Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Berhad (AMB) proudly served as a main partner for Science Castle in Asia 2024, Japan's largest student science conference, held on October 19-20 at Dewan Tun Canselor, Multimedia University (MMU) in Cyberjaya. Organised by Leave a Nest Malaysia, the event drew an impressive attendance of over 1,500 young researchers, parents, and teachers from nine countries, marking it as the largest Science Castle event to date.

Through this partnership, which aligns with the Ajinomoto Group's Creating Shared Value (ASV) initiative, AMB aims to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and encourage youth involvement in scientific research and innovation. This commitment supports Science Castle's mission to empower the next generation of scientists and engineers.

The conference was officiated by the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Malaysia, Chang Lih Kang, underscoring the government's commitment to fostering scientific innovation among youth. The two-day Science Castle in Asia 2024 event showcased 205 research teams presenting innovative projects across various scientific fields.

Students shared their work through oral and poster presentations, receiving valuable feedback from peers and experts. The event also featured hands-on workshops, networking opportunities, and a teacher-focused programme, setting a new standard for nurturing future STEM leaders in the region.

Additionally, an exhibition offered engaging activities, including the Smart Umami Wheel to promote Smart Salt, a Fun Quiz highlighting the science behind AJI-NO-MOTO Umami seasoning, the aminoVITAL® Ringfit Fitness Game to encourage an active lifestyle, and tastings of AJINOMOTO Gyoza and Seri-Aji® soup.

The Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Berhad Oral Award was won by the Indonesian School of Kuala Lumpur for their project titled, "Utilization of Rastrelliger sp and Durio Zibethinus Seeds to Make Nutritious and Delicious Lekor Biduan." This innovative project combined unique ingredients to create a healthy and appetising version of a traditional delicacy.

The Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Berhad Poster Awards recognized two outstanding projects: SMA Progresif Bumi Shalawat from Indonesia for their project, "Micro-OPS: Microplastic Detection and Monitoring System Based on Photodiode and Charge Coupled Device (CCD) Sensors." The Micro-OPS system uses advanced sensors to detect and monitor microplastic pollution, supporting environmental protection.

Another award went to the University of the Philippines Visayas - High School in Iloilo for their research on "Efficacy of Green Mussel (Perna viridis) Shell Scraps as an Adsorbent in Crude Coconut Oil Refinement." This project investigates the use of green mussel shells as a natural, cost-effective method for purifying crude coconut oil.

With its vibrant atmosphere and successful turnout, Science Castle in Asia 2024 once again proved to be a crucial platform for youth-led scientific discovery and knowledge exchange. As the event concluded, participants left with new connections, fresh ideas, and a renewed motivation to continue pursuing their passions in science and technology.
For more information about the Science Castle Grant 2024, please visit https://s-castle.com/en/grant/ or follow Ajinomoto Malaysia's social media platform: Facebook @ Ajinomoto Malaysia; Instagram @myajinomoto.