Materials Lecture Competition (MLC) 2020 made history as the first-ever virtual edition of this prestigious event. Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic, the competition successfully united young researchers from across Malaysia to showcase their presentation skills and technical expertise in the field of materials science and engineering.

Hosted and co-organised by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Norkhairunnisa Mazlan, the competition was supported by Institute of Materials, Malaysia (IMM) and Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), UK. Held via Zoom and streamed live from UPM’s Infocomm Development Centre (IDEC), the virtual MLC attracted over 1,000 online viewers nationwide. Virtual Format and Participation Thirteen participants—their universities’ respective MLC champions—competed by submitting 10-minute pre-recorded videos followed by a live Q&A; session with the judges.

The event was officiated by Prof. Dr. Mohd Roslan Sulaiman, Vice-Chancellor of UPM, and evaluated by a distinguished panel: Prof. Ts. ChM. Dr. Chan Chin Han (IMM Honorary Secretary, UiTM), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jariah Mohamad Juoi (UTeM), Ir. Dr. Azmi Mohammed Nor (PETRONAS Research Sdn Bhd), and Mr. Kang Kim Ang (Corrtrol Synergy Sdn Bhd). The event was proudly sponsored by IMM, Dyna Forming Engineering & Technology Sdn Bhd, Bumi Engineering & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, and Budiman Inspection Sdn Bhd.

Ms. Tan Kai Xin from Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) was crowned the Champion with her presentation entitled “A Step-Transition Mechanism of the Dehydrogenation Process of Titanium Hydride.” She will represent Malaysia at the Young Persons’ World Lecture Competition (YPWLC) 2020, organised virtually by IOM3 UK in November 2020. Ms. Nur Sofina Mohamad Johari (University of Malaya) and Mr. Mohamad Fakhru Ridwan Samsudin (Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS) were named second and third prize winners, respectively. Consolation prizes were awarded to Ms. Nur Fatikah Tajul Arifin (UTM) and Mr. Yong Hsin Nam Ernest (University of Nottingham Malaysia). Cash prizes of RM3,000, RM2,000, and RM1,000 were awarded to the top three winners, with additional prizes and certificates for the consolation winners. The event concluded with closing remarks by Dato’ Dr. Ir. Ts. Mohd Abdul Karim Abdullah, President of IMM, who announced Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) as the host for MLC 2021.