PENANG, December 2014 - Four Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) research scientists were conferred the Top Research Scientist Malaysia (TRSM) award by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) in a ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month. At the same ceremony, another USM top scientist in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology, Professor Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed from the School of Chemical Engineering was selected to receive the ASM Fellow award.

The four USM scientists were lecturers Professor Datuk Dr. Abdul Khalil Shawkataly (School of Industrial Technology), Professor Dr. Hazizan Md Akil and Professor Dr. Mariatti Jaafar @ Mustapha (School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering), and Professor Dr. Ahmad Zuhairi Abdullah (School of Chemical Engineering).

“I am thankful to be selected among the recipients of this prestigious award and will continue to strive to generate new knowledge and make discoveries that will have meaningful and impactful outcomes to benefit the society,” said Abdul Khalil.

According to ASM Fellow, the recognition will further spur him to work harder in his research field and continue to make significant contributions to the nation.

“I am honoured and blessed to be selected for this award, and I am appreciative of the continuous support provided by USM in my research work all this while,” said Abdul Rahman who is also the Director of USM Industry Collaborative Centre.

The TRSM initiative aims to identify and recognise the contributions of top-notch Malaysian research scientists, and showcase them as experts in respective fields through the TRSM comprehensive database.

Since 2012, a total of 96 active research scientists who were experts in respective fields such as medical and health sciences, engineering sciences, environmental sciences, biological sciences, biotechnology, agricultural sciences and humanities have been selected to receive the award.

Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak gave away the awards. - Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe/Text: Nor Rafizah Md Zain/Photos: Contributed by Professor Datuk Dr. Abdul Khalil Shawkataly