Assalamualaikum,
hey loves!
Phewww, I just
got back from Penang and yes, I heard about the poor weather condition that
hype all over Internet and news about it. Al-Hamdulillah, ALLAH bless me to not
experience all those because the place I visited during my Penang trip is not
affected and I still can attend beauty workshop/visiting some friends/food
hunting too! Before I went further with
that, I wanna publish an appreciation post regarding with an event that
inspiring the next generation of Malaysian (Go, Malaysia peeps!) women (girl power!) scientists that has won L’Oreal-UNESCO
Women in Science Fellowship to three respected and talented women that do some
deep research while challenging themselves to strive for the solution, thus
saving the lives of millions!
Based on the photo
above, I would like to emphasize three lucky ladies that stand in middle group
shot about their development in research that made them to win the title.
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
the 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
source are depleted due to global climate change.
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. Big congrats
again to these lovely ladies!
Big
shout out to my sayang for coming to the event on behalf of me and yes, the
event is indeed formal and no simply photos can be taken. The event focus that
L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship was created to recognize and
promote the contribution of women scientists. The partnership was perfectly
match in heaven between L’Oréal, founded by scientist Eugene Schueller, has
been celebrating women’s confidence for over a century and UNESCO, the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has also advocated
for gender equality in the cultivation of scientific knowledge since 1945. Other
than honoring scientific excellence, L’Oréal Foundation and its partners aim to
boost awareness and interest in science among Malaysians. This is in line with
the nation’s vision of becoming a knowledge economy by 2020.
According
to YB Dato Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, the
minister in the Prime Minister Department overseeing the Malaysian
Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) mention that,
“The
L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship supports the vision that it is 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,”
She
added in her speech that:
1) It is only 21% of those in upper secondary chose to study
science subjects in 2014 from the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.
2)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.
Last
but not least, 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.”
For
the next speaker, Mr. Malek Bekdache, Managing Director of L’Oréal Malaysia, offers a silver lining.
“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,”
He
also added that,
“At
L’Oréal, they hope these kinds of incentive will help pivot the crucial work of
women researchers in progressing current societies, as well as fan the passion
in science for next generation of nation builders to carry Malaysia towards its
goal of becoming a high income developed economy.”
Some
goodies that I received (technically, my sayang receive it, but of course he’s
not wearing any makeup LOL) during the event that day. To my surprise, I am
really glad and happy with the achievement that those amazing ladies achieve
and I really hope that in future, all of us can work together in team and no
bias among both gender because I know, we all super good and we know our bad/good side of ourselves. You know it, don't hide it! Unleash the supernatural power within you, you gonna be so fine loves!
Lots of love,
Miss A :)