PUTRAJAYA, 23 September 2015 – Recipient of the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Professor Emeritus in 2007, former Dean of the School of Chemical Sciences USM who is also a National Scientist, Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Augustine Ong Soon Hock received the National Academic Award (AAN), the nation’s highest accolade for academicians who excelled in the field of educational development.

The award, along with seven other awards were presented by the Minister of Higher Education, Dato' Seri Idris Jusoh at the 9th National Academic Award (AAN) Ceremony here recently.

Augustine received the award together with three other lecturers from USM who had excelled in three categories, namely Award for Innovation and Product Commercialisation: Professor Dr. Rahmah Noordin, Award for Publication of Article in a Journal (Social Science & Arts): Associate Professor Dr. Lean Hooi Hooi and Award for Most Promising Academician: Associate Professor Dr. Lim Jit Kang.

Representing the Prime Minister, the Minister of Higher Education said that, all the major categories contested presented a holistic combination reflecting the country’s academic excellence and in raising the standards and the quality of all aspects of knowledge.

"I propose that all academicians, in particular the award-winners, to utilise the available advantages to become the guide, the drive and the catalyst (3P - Pembimbing, Penggerak, Pemangkin) towards promoting academic excellence at the higher levels," added Idris.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman congratulated Augustine and hoped that he would continue making contributions to USM and share his vast experiences in academics and in the palm oil industry.

"He began his career at USM and was awarded Professor Emeritus in 2007, thus his contributions and sacrifices are truly significant for USM as well as for the country," added the Vice-Chancellor.

"I also would like to congratulate the other award recipients and hoped that the success can serve as a motivation to other fellow academicians.”

"The success achieved by the academicians in the fields of engineering and social science served to prove that USM is truly deserving to be in the top 100 of the world’s best," said Omar.

AAN was introduced in 2006 and to date, 49 academicians have been acknowledged as recipients of the award, and they are still actively contributing in their fields of knowledge and expertise.

Three other awards presented were the Book Publication Award (Anugerah Penerbitan Buku), Arts and Creativity Award (Anugerah Seni dan Kreativiti) and Award for Teaching (Anugerah Pengajaran).

Others who were present to celebrate the success of USM in AAN include the USM Pro-Chancellor Tan Sri Datuk Mustafa Mansur, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Dato' Dr. Muhamad Jantan along with other academicians.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Teks: Nor Rafizah Md. Zain

Foto: Dzulfikar Azmi Muhamad Aripin