For students who recently received their SPM and STPM results, it signified the end of a phase in their lives and the beginning of a new chapter. They would now leave behind their schooling years, and those who did well would proceed to further their studies in their chosen fields based on the results that they achieved.
Having said that, what is critical is the quality, not quantity. A nation like Malaysia requires scientists who can innovate and invent in order for the nation to further progress. In other words, we need thinking scientists who are problem-solvers. But how can we develop quality scientists?
To produce quality scientists, we have to obtain good students who, not only excel academically in science, but also students who are able to observe and think analytically as well as critically.
Science is not a subject that one simply memorises its facts and formulae. Science requires understanding of the workings of the world that scientists keenly observe. We can learn much from history about the qualities of erudite scientists.
Jabir Ibn Hayyan, who by many accounts attributed him the title of “Father of Chemistry”, was an 8th century chemist. One of his greatest contributions was to bring out “alchemy” from the realm of superstitious beliefs into the realm of trusted knowledge.
Jabir Ibn Hayyan was one of the earliest to describe the modern scientific method with four meticulous steps: Observation, rationalisation, confirmation, and falsification. This clearly illustrates that science is more than just memorisation.
One has to get his hands dirty by doing science. On this, Jabir Ibn Hayyan wrote, “The first essential in chemistry is that you should perform practical work and conduct experiments, for he who performs not practical work will never attain the least degree of mastery.”
As such, it is important for students who wish to pursue their studies in science develop a new mindset. They need to be interested in practical work because reading and attending lectures are not sufficient.
They also need to develop thinking skills so that they would be observant and alert to minute details as well as be able to analyse, synthesise, compare and evaluate. All these are some of the notable attributes of a quality scientist. These qualities would require one to be disciplined as there is no short cut around it.
As highlighted by Professor Dr. Harith Ahmad of University of Malaya, who was recently named Distinguished Professor, it is important for a scientist to have “the willingness to work hard, commitment, and an interest” in what he or she is doing.
A quality scientist should also have a sense of mission in the things that he or she does. A scientist observes nature because he or she has a mission to understand. In other words, a scientist endeavours to seek for answers that can provide the truth to the inner workings of the world.
Nevertheless, as noted by Ibn al-Haytham, a 10th century Muslim physicist, “Finding the truth is difficult, and the road to it is tough.” That is why a scientist must always persevere and be prepared to face failure. Failure is part and parcel of being a scientist.
At this juncture, it is worthwhile to note Thomas Edison’s oft-quoted saying regarding this matter, “I haven’t failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that don’t work.” Essentially, failure can become a spur to improve and become better. It should not be taken negatively. Instead failure can be the energy to forge success.
Are our students strong enough to face failure? Or, are they simply so focused on the number of A’s that they target that they lose focus on the true meaning of learning. Is failure defined merely as the inability to obtain A’s?
However, one wonders at the quality of the string of A’s that a student obtains. Is it a result of continuous prepping and rigorous exercises that a student undergoes at schools and tuitions?
Does the student actually understand what he or she is doing? Or, does the student merely memorise in order to ace the exams? It would be unfortunate if students merely memorise without having any understanding on the things that they are supposed to be learning.
If they are merely memorising, then they would spew out the facts and figures during examinations, and after which, they would forget what they have memorised. Memorising and learning are not the same.
Memorising is a part of learning, but it is not learning per se. Learning is more than just memorising, as it also involves elements of understanding and experiencing. Memorisation can be regarded as a supportive tool of thinking, with the latter requiring some elements of the former in order to materialise.
It is therefore unfortunate that we have students who memorise but do not have the ability to think. These are students who rely almost entirely on the teachers. When these students, who do well in their SPM and STPM examinations, go to universities, there is a tendency for them to continue their heavy dependence on lecturers.
These days, many lecturers use power point notes in their lectures. Many students unfortunately only depend on these power point notes to revise. They do not actually bother to look up for extra references, which in this day and age, are easily obtained.
Such lackadaisical attitude does not make a quality student, and if the student is a science student, this would not contribute towards the making of a quality scientist. This student may not even see the value of practical work in science as emphasis is placed on memorisation of lecture notes.
Most of us may not be scientists, but we definitely need scientists for us to be able to tackle the many problems that we face in our world. That is why it is pertinent that the nation endeavours to develop quality scientists in all fields who can think analytically and critically in order to provide solutions to problems.
Science is important because in essence, it is an “art” of discovery. We need quality scientists because we require quality discoveries in order for us to further advance and develop. These discoveries should better our lives by solving the situations that we face, and not create more problems for us.
Equally important is for quality scientists to pay attention to ethical issues. This is crucial so that discoveries which are made and technologies which are developed would not damage or destroy the only world that we live in.
Ethics and science have to go hand-in-hand; and quality scientists should realise this from the onset. Science should not be done for its own sake instead science should be looked at from a wider perspective.
The fact is that science is a social institution that affects everyone. A true scientist – with all the best qualities – would realise this. A scientist does not work in a silo. What he or she does will have its impacts – good or bad – to society.
If we have quality scientists who are ethical, we could at least be reassured that ethical implications would be taken into consideration. This is one of the major challenges that we face today.
Are students who choose science as their fields of study willing to take up this challenge? Do they have the ability to develop their selves to be quality and ethical scientists?
This is also a challenge for Muslim students who aspire to become scientists. Being a Muslim scientist is not just about doing science, but also involves great responsibility. It is important for Muslim students who pursue science to understand that they have a collective responsibility to contribute to society as a whole.
Their quest for the truth in science should also lead them closer to God, and not lead them astray. This closeness or taqarrub would be the ethical safeguard within themselves that would ensure that whatever that they do in science would not be unethical or corrupt.
Having an ‘A’ in science may be a prerequisite to further one’s studies in science, but this in essence is not enough. When all is said and done, it is pertinent that everyone sees the need to develop quality thinking scientists who are responsible, ethical and knowledgeable who could contribute significantly to the society and nation.
That is where the ‘A’ is really valued and counted.