Five Malaysians Awarded 2025 Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment - Press Releases

29 August 2025

Five Malaysians Awarded 2025 Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment

Record Number of Applications Received for 10th Edition

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 August 2025 – The Merdeka Award Trust today announced five outstanding recipients of the 2025 Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment, selected from a record number of over 200 applications—underscoring the growing prestige of the grant and the rising ambition of Malaysia’s youth to drive national progress

Five outstanding young Malaysians have been awarded the 2025 Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment. From left: Dr. Rasyidah Rehir, Nur Hafizah Annezah Utuh, Keisheni Ganeson, Dinesh Sangarran Ramachandram, and Calvin Shee Yin Ming.

The recipients of the 2025 Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment are:

Calvin Shee Yin Ming, Founder & President, United For Global Antimicrobial Stewardship (UGAS) and Student of Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya (UM) who wants to further his research on Exploring the Microbiome of Pitcher Plants to Serve as Natural Compounds for New Antibiotics

Dinesh Sangarran Ramachandram, Lecturer, School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia who aims to advance dementia care in Malaysia through culturally sensitive education and practical medication tools

Keisheni Ganeson, PhD Researcher, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) who intends to further her work on Developing a Smart, Biodegradable Microneedle Patch made with Butterfly Pea to Treat Wounds

Nur Hafizah Annezah Bt Utuh, PhD Researcher, Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) who will extend her research on DNA-guided heart medication for personalised treatment to improve outcomes for heart disease patients

Dr. Rasyidah Bt Rehir, Trainee Medical Lecturer, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) who aims to expand her work on Transforming Medical Training Through Body Donation and Advanced Cadaver Preservation

His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-Lah, Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan and Royal Patron & Chairman of the Merdeka Award Trust delivering his welcome address and announcement of the 2025 Merdeka Award Grant recipients.

The Grant, now in its 10th edition, continues to provide a platform for young Malaysians to pursue short-term international attachments that enhance their research and leadership capabilities.

Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik, President and Group CEO of PETRONAS, and member of the Board of Trustees, Merdeka Award Trust, said: “For almost two decades, the Merdeka Award Trust has honoured and celebrated accomplished Malaysians who have dedicated their careers to enriching the lives of local communities and contributed to the progress of this nation. The Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment seeks to further extend this recognition to young Malaysians who have not just the vision but also the resolve to pursue greatness in their own fields.

“Past recipients of the Grant have gone on to create lasting impact for Malaysia through their work in education, healthcare, science and technology. As these five outstanding recipients join the illustrious roster, we look forward to the game-changing solutions that they have conceived and will soon refine and bring to fruition for the benefit of all Malaysians.”

To date, the Grant has supported 33 young Malaysians in pursuing short-term international attachments at more than 40 world-class institutions. With more than a decade of impact, it continues to catalyse the next generation of nation builders—those committed in shaping a more equitable, sustainable, and inspired future

Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of PETRONAS, and Merdeka Award Trust Board of Trustees delivering his welcome address.

His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-Lah, Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan and Royal Patron & Chairman of the Merdeka Award Trust, pictured with the Merdeka Award Trust Board of Trustees and the five recipients of the 2025 Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment.

ABOUT THE MERDEKA AWARD TRUST

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 Outstanding Contribution to Education and Community, Outstanding Contribution to Environment and Planetary Health, Outstanding Contribution to Science, Technology and Innovation, Outstanding Scholastic and Academic Achievement and Anugerah Khas Merdeka. In 2022, Anugerah Harapan Merdeka was introduced to recognise the efforts of Malaysians aged 40 years old and below or Malaysian organisations less than 10 years in inception. In 2026, the Trust will introduce a new category, Outstanding Contribution to Humanities, Arts and Sports.

The choice of name, Merdeka Award Trust, 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.

ABOUT THE MERDEKA AWARD GRANT FOR INTERNATIONAL ATTACHMENT
Launched in 2012 by the Merdeka Award Trust, the Grant is an extension of the prestigious Merdeka Award. It enables outstanding Malaysians between 22 and 35 years old, to engage in short-term international placements of up to three months at globally renowned institutions, with the goal of supporting their research, studies, or professional projects that align with the Merdeka Award’s ideals of excellence, integrity and service to the nation.

For further information and the latest updates on the Merdeka Award, please visit our:

Website : www.merdekaaward.my
Facebook : http://j.mp/merdekaaward
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/merdekaaward/
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/merdekaaward
TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@merdekaaward
YouTube : http://bit.ly/merdekaawardyoutube

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.