USM PENANG, 13 April 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is celebrating a proud achievement as one of its PhD students has been selected for the prestigious Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), a flagship programme of the United States government that nurtures emerging leaders across Southeast Asia.

Puteri Nur Atiqah Bandira, a doctoral candidate at the School of Humanities and recipient of the Khazanah Nasional scholarship, earned her place in the highly competitive fellowship.

Her research focuses on the Impact of Solar Radiation Modification on Flood–Drought Risk in the Malaysia's Muda River Basin, under the supervision of Associate Professor Dr. Tan Mou Leong, Coordinator of Geoinformatic Unit at the School of Humanities. 

As part of the fellowship, Puteri is undergoing a six‑week professional attachment with the City of Roanoke Stormwater Utility in the United States, from 9 March to 15 April 2026.

“I am truly grateful for this opportunity. During my placement, I gained valuable exposure to urban stormwater management, including flood resilience planning, water quality monitoring, and community engagement strategies to strengthen climate resilience at the city level,” she said.

Tan highlighted the significance of her achievement: “Her participation reflects USM’s commitment to producing globally competitive scholars and underscores the importance of geospatial innovation in tackling environmental challenges, especially in the context of climate change and sustainable urban development.”

Text & Photo: School of Humanities, USM/Editing: Tan Ewe Hoe