Five Individuals Secure Prestigious 2023 Merdeka Award Grant For International Attachment - Press Releases

10 September 2023

FIVE INDIVIDUALS SECURE PRESTIGIOUS 2023 MERDEKA AWARD GRANT FOR INTERNATIONAL ATTACHMENT

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 August 2023 – The 2023 Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment has been awarded to five outstanding individuals who will embark on enriching learning experiences at renowned institutions in England, Mexico, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United States of America.

The recipients of the 9th edition of the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment are:

● Masni A/P Mat Dong, Lecturer, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology who plans to further her work on Reimagining Inclusive Socio-Economic Development for the Orang Asli In Malaysia.

●Syaza Soraya binti Sauli, PhD Candidate, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia who plans to expand her body of work on Empowering Environmental Sustainability Values In Preschool Children In Malaysia Through Comprehensive Nature-Based Learning Modules.

●Amaziasizamoria Jumail, Research Officer, Danau Girang Field Centre who plans to further pursue her study on Tropical Forest Ecology Restoration within a Global South Context.

●Dr. Kong Xin Ying, Postdoctoral Fellow, Nanyang Technological University who plans to advance her work on Photocatalytic Upcycling Plastics as a Sustainable Energy Alternative.

●Dr. Ng Chuck Chuan, Assistant Professor, Xiamen University Malaysia who plans to further his work on Phytoremediation - A Nature-based Solution (NbS) for Soil Heavy Metals Pollution.

With the addition of these five individuals, the total number of Merdeka Award Grant recipients has reached 29, since it was first introduced in 2012. Over the years, grantees have been supported in more than 30 of the world’s top-ranked host institutions in diverse fields such as education, arts, sports, community/social work, environment, health, science and technology.

Congratulating the recipients on their exceptional achievements, the founders of the Merdeka Award Trust, PETRONAS and Shell, expressed their pride in coinciding this recognition with Malaysia's 66th Independence Day and the upcoming 60th Malaysia Day celebrations.

PETRONAS President and Group Chief Executive Officer and Merdeka Award Trust Board of Trustee, Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik said, "The Merdeka Award Grant was established to enable and empower our next generation of leaders, movers and shakers. We trust that the wealth of experiences and insights that they will gain from their time among the world’s best and brightest minds will effect positive change in our communities, and indeed, propel Malaysia towards greater heights.”

He added, “The Merdeka Award Trust is privileged to play a part in advancing the ambitions of the grantees. Many recipients from past cycles continue to inspire with their transformative work. By continuously nurturing these talents and supporting them with this Grant, the Trust is investing in the future that promises infinite possibilities for both Malaysia specifically and the world at large."

Shell Malaysia Country Chair and Senior Vice President Upstream Malaysia, and Merdeka Award Trust Board of Trustee, Siti Hurairah Sulaiman said, "We are happy to be able to recognize and support the important work conducted by our Grantees in their respective fields, and urge our Grantees to seize the development opportunities that the Merdeka Award Grants provide. We look forward to hearing of further successes from them, that will contribute towards a better future for Malaysia."

The Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment offers Malaysians between the ages of 22 and 35, the opportunity to engage in short-term collaborative projects and programmes with international institutions as well as foster growth in various disciplines.

The recipients will gain experience that would enable them to enhance their expertise, refine their work and achieve more significant accomplishments, during their three-month attachment programme.

They will also collaborate with distinguished scientists, academics and industry professionals, as well as acquire best practices that can be replicated in Malaysia. The Grant covers all expenses related to the attachment including logistics, accommodation and allowances.

The application and selection process, which commenced in January this year, attracted over 160 high-calibre individuals across Malaysia. The finalists were chosen based on the sustainable impact of their work for the environment and in community development.

This year’s Grant received applications from a wide range of fields including visual and performing arts, sports, culture and heritage as well as environment.

The Merdeka Award Press Kit is available here.
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ABOUT THE MERDEKA AWARD

The Merdeka Award Trust was established by PETRONAS and Shell on 27 August 2007, to recognise and reward excellent individuals and organisations whose works and achievements have not only contributed to the nation’s growth but have also inspired greatness in the people of Malaysia in the following categories, namely Education and Community, Environment, Health, Science and Technology, Outstanding Scholastic Achievement and Outstanding Contribution to the People of Malaysia. In 2022, Anugerah Harapan Merdeka was introduced as a new Award category, recognising the efforts of Malaysians aged 40 years old and below or Malaysian organisations less than 10 years in inception in the areas of Education and Community, Environment and Health, Science and Technology.

The choice of name, Merdeka Award, reflects the Founding Members’ aim to commemorate the true spirit of independence, which transcends the conventional definition of national sovereignty. It explores the liberation of the mind and spirit – factors that foster the realisation of human potential and the pursuit of excellence.

Through the Merdeka Award’s other initiative, the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment aims to promote thought leadership and innovation, foster a culture of excellence and encourage a world view, thereby enhancing Malaysia’s standing as a dynamic, competitive 21st Century Global Player in all key sectors from science and technology to the arts.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Nadia Izuddin nadia.shaikmizuddin@petronas.com | +60 12 229 9314
Christine Ong christine.ong@ceria.asia | +60 12 375 2852

Health, Science and Technology

Dato' Professor Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman

Recipient for Year 2022

Something that is worth doing is often tough, but the rewards can be big.