Aimed at inculcating a culture of excellence in the fields of science, engineering and technology in Malaysia, this programme is at the core of many of the activities undertaken by the Academy.

It has therefore become extremely vital for Malaysia to produce a critical pool of scientists, engineers and technologists on whom the nation can depend for major advances in research, development and innovation in these areas of specialisation, commitment, capacity and capability building are de rigueur building blocks for excellence in science.

Given the need to benchmark against the best and to learn from the very best to develop excellence, ASM has been organizing annual orations by Nobel laureates, beginning with the inaugural oration in 1996 by Sir Aaron Klug, President of the Royal Society. It also initiated a series of public lectures by renowned overseas scientists as well as the ASM Inaugural Lectures by its own Fellows beginning 2002. Given by newly elected Fellows, the objective of these lectures is to provide a platform for new Fellows to highlight their achievements and contributions and share their experiences on how they had achieved pre-eminence in their chosen fields of scientific endeavour. It is also an undeniably good way to introduce new fellows to the public and the SET community. Its "Eminent Persons Lecture" series has drawn favourable response from both the east and west.

Science capacity building and excellence must be nurtured in the young. Having garnered input from the first Conference in 2001, the Academy together with the Ministry of Education Malaysia organized the Second International Conference on Science and Mathematics Education for Primary and Secondary Schools in Kuala Lumpur, with the more ambitious objective of providing a platform for science and mathematics educators to share creative and innovative teaching and learning practices, and also to promote and disseminate R&D findings on innovative teaching practices in science and mathematics education. The Conference brought together international knowledge and experience to assist South East Asia generally and Malaysia specifically. Among the distinguished speakers was Prof Carl Weiman, Nobel Laureate in Physics.

In its steadfast aim of nurturing science among the young, the Academy also participated in SEAMEO's search for young scientists in 2004. The general objectives of the Congress was to promote scientific attitudes, awareness and to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences among students in the SEAMEO Member Countries. The Congress encourages research and development among young people within and beyond the SEAMEO Member Countries and the Region. It is becoming increasingly important that young scientists be aware of the relationship between science/ technology and environment/society, and in particular better understand the tensions or conflicts between social interests and environmental interests in the context of sustainable development.

Exposure to excellence is generally recognized as a good strategy to build commitment, hence beginning 2004, the Academy took the step of sponsoring several young scientists to Lindau Germany where since 1951, Nobel Laureates in physics, chemistry and physiology/medicine have annually convened, to have open and informal meetings and dialogues with students and young researchers from around the world. In this year's meeting, some 560 international students from 21 countries gathered to participate in activities relating to physics. The Lindau Meeting is an excellent forum for building commitment and capability deemed vital for the development of science within the country. A corollary advantage to bonds of friendship and scientific cooperation between developing countries is the establishment of mutual field of study, among the world's best contemporary minds.