DISTINGUISHED academic Prof Dr Looi Lai Meng, together with four other Malaysians, received the International Science Council’s (ISC) highest honour for 2023.

Apart from Dr Looi, who was honoured as the first “Profesor Ulung Negara” in 2010, the other four academicians are Prof Dr Khatijah Yusoff, Prof Emerita Dr Asma Ismail, Dr Awg Bulgiba Awg Mahmud and Prof Dr Ramesh T. Subramaniam.

A statement from the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) said that they are among the 100 new ISC Fellows worldwide. These are established scientists and thought leaders in the fields of research and science policy who have contributed significantly to advancing the understanding, utilisation and engagement of science for the global public good.

ASM president Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen said the recognition underscores the invaluable contributions and capabilities of the distinguished network of experts and solidifies the country’s position on the global stage.

“One of ASM’s missions is to be a national and international thought leader in science, technology, innovation and economics (STIE). The endorsement by the ISC is a testament to our achievement and an inspiration to strive for further milestones in the pursuit of scientific excellence,” he added.

The ISC Fellowship recognises individuals for their outstanding contributions to the advancement of science as a global public good. It is the highest honour the ISC can bestow on an individual.

Dr Looi is one of the 50 founding members of the ASM in 1995 and received the Merdeka Award (Health, Science and Technology category) in 2016, while Dr Khatijah, senior fellow of the ASM, is vice president of the Islamic World Academy of Sciences.

Dr Asma, the former president of ASM, was Malaysia’s first female director-general of Higher Education and the first woman to be appointed as the chairman of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency, while Dr Awg Bulgiba is the first Malaysian female doctor to hold a PhD in Health Informatics and was the secretary-general of ASM from 2019 to 2023.

Dr Ramesh, who was elected ASM Fellow in 2016, is a materials scientist with expertise in the fabrication, development and characterisation of polymers and polymer electrolytes as an energy source for various electrochemical devices.

In June 2022, the ISC announced the establishment of a fellowship and the appointment of 66 foundation fellows, including ASM senior fellow Emeritus Prof Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid.

ASM is the national thought leader on STIE and the Academy’s network of experts currently comprises 1,000 individuals across eight scientific disciplines. – Bernama, 20 December 2023