When science meets passion, a distance of 3,000 kilometers is no obstacle. The “Chemistry On The Go” program, jointly promoted by the Department of Chemistry and the Science Education Center under the College of Science at Tamkang University, officially expanded beyond Taiwan to Malaysia this April. On April 18, President Huan-Chao Keh led the Tamkang delegation to jointly host the launch ceremony of the “Chemistry Mobile Lab” with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) during the 30th anniversary celebration of the Tamkang University Alumni Association in Malaysia. The event symbolized the sharing of academic resources between the two universities and attracted significant media attention, including extensive coverage by Malaysia’s Sin Chew Daily, generating enthusiastic local responses.

Launched in 2011 during the International Year of Chemistry, the “Chemistry On The Go” initiative has now entered its 15th year. The program’s name was originally coined by Tamkang University Chairperson Flora Chia-I Chang and has since become a well-known mobile science outreach brand. Through the collective efforts of the Department of Chemistry team, industry partners, the Alumni Association of Tamkang University in Malaysia, and educational foundations, a dedicated Chemistry Mobile Lab was built for UTAR. The vehicle is expected to tour the Chinese independent high schools throughout Malaysia to promote hands-on science education. Professor Bo-Cheng Wang, founder of the project and a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry, emphasized that the initiative represents not only the continuation of science education but also the passing on of the philosophy of “learning through enjoyment.”

The launch ceremony was filled with excitement as President Keh presented a model of the Chemistry Mobile Lab to UTAR President Dato’s Ewe Hong Tat, symbolizing the official launch of “Chemistry On The Go” in Malaysia. President Keh noted that the collaboration would not only inspire students to experience the joy of learning science but also help them become more familiar with Tamkang University and explore future opportunities for higher education. President Ewe expressed gratitude for the partnership, describing it as the first international collaboration for the “Chemistry On The Go” initiative. He also expressed hope that this STEAM-oriented educational activity could eventually expand across all 11 ASEAN member states.

The science outreach initiative attracted substantial media attention in Malaysia. Sin Chew Daily, the country’s largest Chinese-language newspaper by circulation, dedicated a half-page feature to the event. The report praised the “mobile laboratory” model as highly appealing to schools in rural areas, noting its potential to bridge educational resource gaps between urban and rural communities while stimulating enthusiasm for science education.

In an interview with Sin Chew Daily, Academic Vice President Hui-Huang Hsu stated that UTAR is one of Tamkang University’s key sister universities. Discussions on collaboration had already begun in 2017 under Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy, though the initiative was temporarily postponed due to the pandemic before being relaunched in 2024. Last April, a faculty delegation from UTAR visited Taiwan and joined the Chemistry Mobile Lab team on visits to local high schools to observe the operation of science outreach activities firsthand. Hsu explained, “Based on a shared educational philosophy, the two universities hope to transform the traditionally dull image of science learning through fun and interactive approaches, cultivate more scientifically literate talent across Southeast Asia, and fulfill the social responsibility of universities in advancing international engagement. The program also plans to send students to Malaysia to travel with the Chemistry Mobile Lab throughout the country to promote science outreach education, allowing them to gain international experience through service while creating greater benefits from the collaboration.”

Department of Chemistry Chair Chih-Hsin Chen expressed appreciation to Vice President Hsu for supporting the project, including chairing preparatory meetings for the “Chemistry Mobile Lab to Malaysia” initiative and coordinating assistance among university offices. Chen also thanked Vice President for International Affairs Hsiao-Chuan Chen for inviting principals from several Chinese independent high schools in Malaysia to participate, thereby enhancing the initiative’s outreach impact. Chen further revealed that, in addition to science outreach promotion, the delegation also discussed substantive academic and student exchange collaborations with UTAR’s Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering. Plans include utilizing Taiwan’s Ministry of Education “Taiwan Experience Education Program” to provide UTAR senior students with three-month research internships at Tamkang University. The initiative is expected not only to strengthen students’ research capabilities and academic development, but also to encourage outstanding students to pursue graduate studies at Tamkang University, further deepening bilateral talent exchange.