Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) proudly hosted the Materials Lecture Competition (MLC) 2023, with Dr. Norah Md Noor serving as the Organizing Chairperson. The competition was held in collaboration with the Institute of Materials, Malaysia (IMM) and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, UK (IOM3-UK).

Both the semi-final and final rounds took place online via Webex on 2 August 2023 and 28 August 2023, respectively, and were livestreamed on UTM’s School of Postgraduate Studies Facebook page. Continuing the format adopted since 2020, the online mode ensured accessibility and safety amid the ongoing pandemic.

The MLC aims to provide a platform for young talents to showcase their knowledge and presentation skills in materials science and engineering. The semi-final was officiated by Dr. Nor Akmal binti Fadil, Chairperson of the IMM-MLC Committee, while the final was officiated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noor Hazarina Hashim, Chair of the School of Graduate Studies, UTM.

Judging panels comprised academia and industry experts, ensuring competition standards aligned with international benchmarks. Fourteen universities participated in the semi-final, from which five outstanding finalists were selected for the national final round.

After an engaging competition, Kugambikai Vangetaraman from UTM emerged as the Champion of MLC 2023, followed by Jerome Liew from Universiti Malaya and Harivalagan Siva Kumar from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia as first and second runners-up. The winners received cash prizes of RM 3,000, RM 2,000, and RM 1,000, respectively, while the remaining two finalists received consolation prizes of RM 500 each, sponsored by IMM.

Representing Malaysia, Kugambikai Vangetaraman went on to compete in the Young Persons’ World Lecture Competition (YPWLC 2023) organized by IOM3-UK in November 2023.