In its 12th year, the annual L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship 2017 recently awarded three women scientists in Malaysia for their research that tackles global challenges while potentially saving the lives of millions.
Shukri, Minister in the Prime Minister Department, Dr Teh Su Yean, Dr Jasy Liew Suet Yan, Dr. Ho Weang Kee, and Mr. Malek Bekdache, Managing Director of L’Oréal Malaysia.
Other than honouring scientific excellence, L’Oréal Foundation and its partners aim to boost
awareness and interest in science among Malaysians in line with the nation’s vision of becoming a knowledge economy by 2020.
“A k-economy relies on human resources with strong foundation in sciences. As Year 2020
closes in, it is more urgent than ever for us to cultivate a rich pool of knowledge talents in
science, technology, engineering and mathematics, otherwise known as STEM, to take our
country to the next level. The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship supports this vision. It not only inspires more Malaysian women to pursue science as a career, but also fuel interest in science, which is waning among secondary school and higher tertiary students,” says Datuk Seri Hajjah Nancy Shukri, the minister in the Prime Minister Department overseeing the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT).
The Ministry of Higher Education has also warned of a shortage in STEM graduates due to the declining interest in science subjects among upper secondary school students, coupled with the upswing of students taking arts-related courses in higher tertiary institutions.
As such, Malaysia lack STEM students to power its k-economy drive. The National Council for Scientific Research and Development estimated that the country will need 493,830 scientists and engineers by 2020. But the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation is looking at a shortfall of 236,000 technical personnel.
The dwindling interest in STEM, according to Nancy, underscores the importance of awards like the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science to foster scientific enthusiasm. She congratulated the award winners for their exemplary achievements in the male-dominated
field, which “shows that science can be a thriving ground for all genders to pursue excellence.”
One of them is Dr. Ho Weang Kee from the University of Nottingham Malaysia. The 35-year- old has clinched the award for her development of a risk prediction model for breast cancer, which uses DNA and lifestyle information to identify those at risk of cancer for early detection.
Another winner, Dr Jasy Liew Suet Yan from Universiti Sains Malaysia, is recognised for building a system that detects signs of depression by analysing emotional patterns on social media. The 32-year- old hopes that the emotion-sensitive technology will encourage early diagnosis and treatment.
Working on sustainable resource management, Dr Teh Su Yean netted the award with her
unification of science, engineering, technology and mathematics to protect coastal resources in Malaysia. The 36-year- old associate professor of the School of Mathematical Science at Universiti Sains Malaysia is building a model that will conserve groundwater, which may become crucial when other water sources are depleted due to global climate change.
“This year, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship saw the highest ever number of submissions, with an increase of 66% from last year. The heightened
excitement for this scientific award gives hope that interest in STEM among the next generation will climb along,” Mr. Malek Bekdache, Managing Director of L’Oréal Malaysia.
He also congratulated the University of Nottingham Malaysia for emerging as the first private university to have won the award.
This year, on top of receiving a RM30,000 grant to help pursue their research, each winner also developed capacity in idea presentation. All three received training to present a summary of their research on stage during the award ceremony, in a manner similar to the world-renowned TED Talks.
The sought-after award was opened to all Malaysian women researchers or scientists under the age of 40 years, who are PhD holders or currently pursuing research studies in any scientific field.
Submissions from various scientific disciplines totaled up to 208 this year. The panel of jury this year was led by one of Malaysia’s first astrophysicist, Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Mazlan Othman, Program Director, Academy of Science Malaysia. Each entry was deliberated based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including project significance in terms of its merit and value contribution, originality and purpose, contribution to science, methodology, academic achievements and overall project quality.
“At L’Oréal, we hope that this award will help pivot the crucial work of women researchers in progressing our societies, as well as fan the passion in science among our next generation of nation builders to carry Malaysia towards its goal of becoming a high income developed economy,” says Bekdache.
Founded in 1998, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science partnership was created to recognize and promote women in science. Over RM900,000 in research grants have been presented to 38 outstanding women scientists since the inception of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship in 2006.
For more information on L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science, visit Forwomeninscience.com , Facebook.com/forwomeninscience, or Instagram @forwomeninscience .
Read also: L’Oréal Malaysia Celebrates Its 11th L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award
