The American Chemical Society (ACS) has bestowed its prestigious Outstanding Student Chapter Award for the 2022-2023 academic year upon the ACS International Student Chapter at LUMS (ACS-LUMS)

Spearheaded by D. Muhammad Zaheer (advisor) and Dr Ghayoor Abbas (Co-advisor), from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, ACS-LUMS’ exceptional achievement was primarily driven by two major goals. Firstly, their mission was to ignite interest and curiosity among school students by presenting chemistry in a fun and engaging manner. 

The chapter set up an enthralling "Crime Lab" during the Lahore Science Mela 2022, where they conducted hands-on forensic experiments using everyday items. The live demonstrations of latent fingerprint development, bloodspot testing, and DNA extraction captivated and fascinated visitors, drawing in a significant number of attendees from across Pakistan. Many students expressed a newfound interest in pursuing a career in chemistry after experiencing the captivating demonstrations.

The "Crime Lab" was a resounding success, hailed as one of the busiest stands at the exhibition. Impressively, it garnered national attention, with coverage by a leading TV channel, Express News, amplifying its impact on numerous students and fostering a greater interest in the fascinating aspects of chemistry.

In addition to the "Crime Lab," ACS-LUMS organized the distinguished "Ahmed Zewail Seminar Series," which comprised three engaging in-person seminars held at LUMS. These seminars not only provided a platform for academics to share their research on national and global scientific challenges but also facilitated broader participation by allowing external registrations. The idea was to effectively promote scientific culture and facilitate networking among participants.

The chapter's achievements were commended by the American Chemical Society (ACS), emphasizing the exceptional execution of their set goals:

“Your goals for this year were well thought out and executed. Your "Crime Lab" stand sounds like it built up that interest in chemistry that was your goal. I'm impressed that it was such a busy stand and that you reached so many students! Your "Ahmed Zewail Seminar Series" reached an audience both on your campus and externally, which is an amazing success. It is wonderful that you considered how this event would not only increase knowledge of chemistry but also would provide a networking opportunity for your membership.”

ACS also praised the LUMS chapter for their effective communication strategy leveraging platforms like WhatsApp and the clear distribution of work among members.

Looking ahead, the American Chemical Society – LUMS chapter has outlined objectives for the upcoming year, intending to build on their successes. Their plans include organizing more events akin to the impactful "Crime Lab," expanding into Green Chemistry initiatives, enhancing project management abilities, and promoting a safety culture in educational institutions.

Are you interested in joining the American Chemical Society’s LUMS chapter?    
Submit your CV and cover letter to APPLY HERE. 

The deadline for applications has been extended until November 7th, welcoming undergraduate students at SBASSE to take part in their mission of inspiring curiosity and engaging future generations in chemistry.