KUALA LUMPUR, 21 November 2025 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) academic, Professor Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai was formally honoured at the recent MWECC Global Awards & Gala Dinner 2025, in recognition of her exceptional contributions to science, community development, and social entrepreneurship.

The prestigious ‘MWECC Entrepreneur Global Award 2025’ acknowledges her distinguished career in translating scientific knowledge into practical, high-impact solutions that would directly benefit communities and strengthen local economies.

The Malaysia Women Entrepreneur Chamber of Commerce (MWECC) is a leading platform dedicated to empowering women through enterprise development, leadership cultivation, and inclusive economic advancement.

 

Guided by its mission to nurture resilient, ethical, and socially responsible women leaders and its vision to build a vibrant ecosystem of women-led enterprises with meaningful societal impact, MWECC continues to champion excellence across sectors under the leadership of its President, Ms Avagrace Law.

In her previous capacity as the Director of the USM Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Aileen Tan is widely recognised for her ability to translate scientific research into real-world applications, particularly in coastal and community-based settings. She was also involved in developing frameworks that uplift livelihoods, enhance community resilience, and promote inclusive economic participation.

Her work reflects the highest standards of impact-driven leadership. Her contributions include cultivating social entrepreneurs, mentoring communities and emerging leaders to transform environmental and scientific knowledge into sustainable livelihoods.

Her award represents not only individual excellence but a strong alignment with MWECC’s mission in empowering women as transformative changemakers. Aileen Tan’s leadership stands as a powerful example of how scientific rigour, strategic vision, and social purpose can converge to deliver long-term, scalable impacts.

Text: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Photos: Professor Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai, CEMACS, USM