Thought leaders: (From left) Prof Looi, Prof Khatijah, Prof Asma. Prof Awg Bulgiba and Prof Dr Ramesh T. Subramaniam.
KUALA LUMPUR: Distinguished academician Prof Datuk Dr Looi Lai Meng and four other Malaysians have been conferred a Fellowship by the International Science Council (ISC) for 2023.
Besides Dr Looi, who was honoured with the inaugural “Profesor Ulung Negara” in 2010, the other four are Prof Datin Paduka Dr Khatijah Yusoff, Prof Emerita Datuk Dr Asma Ismail, Prof Datuk Dr Awg Bulgiba Awg Mahmud and Prof Dr Ramesh T. Subramaniam.
The Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), in a statement yesterday, said they were among 100 new ISC Fellows globally comprising established scientists and thought leaders from the research and science policy spheres who had significantly contributed to furthering the understanding, use and engagement of science for the wider good.
ASM president Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen said the acknowledgement by ISC underscores the invaluable contributions and capabilities of Malaysia’s expert network.
“One of ASM’s missions is to be a thought leader in science, technology, innovation and economy (STIE), nationally and internationally.
“The affirmation by ISC is a testament to our achievements and serves as an inspiration for us to strive harder in the pursuit of scientific excellence,” he added.
The Fellowship recognises individuals for their outstanding contributions to the promotion of science as a global public good and is the highest honour that can be conferred on an individual by the ISC.
The ISC works at the global level to catalyse and convene scientific expertise, advice and influence on issues of major concern to both science and society.
Prof Looi was among the 50 Founding Fellows of ASM in 1995 and received the Merdeka Award (Health, Science and Technology Category) in 2016, while Prof Khatijah, a Senior Fellow of ASM, is vice-president of the Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS).
Prof Asma, an immediate past president of ASM, was Malaysia’s first female Higher Education director-general and the first woman to be appointed chairman of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency.
Prof Awg Bulgiba is the first Malaysian doctor to gain a PhD in Health Informatics and was ASM secretary-general from 2019 to 2023.
Prof Ramesh, an ASM Fellow elected in 2016, is a materials scientist experienced in preparing, developing and characterising polymers and polymer electrolytes as a source of energy for various electrochemical devices.
In June 2022, the ISC announced the creation of a Fellowship and appointment of 66 Foundation Fellows including ASM Senior Fellow Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid.
ASM, the nation’s thought leader for matters related to STIE, and the academy’s network of experts, currently has 1,000 members across eight scientific disciplines.
