Young Scientists Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM)

The Young Scientists Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM) has developed and nurtured the resilience and agility of prominent young scientists in implementing, advancing, and creating awareness of science in the community. YSN-ASM bridges institutions, industries, and organisations to implement impactful programmes and other engagements throughout the year, virtually and physically. At its standing members of 225, YSN-ASM is proud to represent the young voices that are committed to educate society on STIE.

In line with YSN-ASM’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021, this pool of talented young scientists is actively involved in research collaborations, policy consultation, and other activities at the national and international levels. Throughout its nine years of operations, YSN-ASM has reached a significant milestone by having strategic collaborations with other prestigious entities in championing STI. YSN’s credibility was proven when organisations such as L’Oréal-UNESCO, Petrosains, Merck Sdn Bhd, National STEM Centre, and Palestine Young Academy chose to collaborate with YSN-ASM. This momentum needs to be sustained to achieve higher impact and visibility in the society.

YSN-ASM’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021

SP1: Researchers

Empowering young researchers as strategic partners and agents of change in shaping the national research agenda.

SP2: Research Ecosystem

Fostering integrity and research excellence support network throughout the ecosystem.

SP3: Progressive Society

Building a progressive society that embraces Science, Technology and Innovation as a way of life.

SP4: Glocalisation

Playing a prominent role in international and local alliances to tackle national and global challenges.

YSN-ASM Chrysalis Award 2021 – Take Flight: Transformation Above and Beyond PhD

Chrysalis Award is one of YSN-ASM’s flagship programmes. This award is organised specially for young researchers in their final year of PhD to empower and align them to the Malaysian STI ecosystem. This leadership programme provides the opportunity for them to gain relevant transferable skills and fortify their networking with outstanding local scientists. The programme features a series of online skills development workshops. These young researchers were also given the opportunity to obtain a gainful placement at prestigious fellowships or internships.

Several of these young researchers’ aspirations in building their career were materialised through their involvement in Chrysalis Award. The 2020 Chrysalis Award finalist Dr Tan Li Vern successfully embarked on his career as a researcher at Vitrox Corporation Berhad. In the same year, two other finalists Dr Wan Arif Aziz Japar and Dr Lam Jia Yong have been selected to participate in 2022 Global Young Scientists Summit. This shows that the Chrysalis Award is a programme that allows talented researchers with enormous potential to gain a foothold in the global arena.

Science Café

As one of YSN-ASM’s signature programmes, this programme presents fascinating science topics to the comfort of Malaysians’ home through Facebook Live. This programme has expanded its accessibility by having newer offshoots like Science Café Penang and Johor alongside the main Science Café conducted in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia Grand Challenge (MGC) Symposium

The Malaysia Grand Challenge (MGC) Symposium was conducted from 9 to 18 November 2021 for YSN-ASM members and affiliates to promote interdisciplinary research collaborations and create a fertile research ecosystem. The symposium aimedming to promote impactful and high-quality research in line with the 10-10 MySTIE and the development of 30 niche areas.Following this, YSN-ASM researchers will have better understanding should they interested to apply for MOSTI’s MGC Grant.

Junior Science Artist Competition

The Junior Science Artist Competition is a drawing competition that was organised from 7 September to 15 October 2021. This competition encourages children to express their creativity and innovative ideas through art. With the theme ”After Pandemic, My Future with Science and Technology”, this competition engaged primary school students to show how the pandemic changed their perspective of science and technology in shaping their dreams.

2021 YSN-ASM Virtual Colloquium – Science: The Nation’s Hope for a Better Tomorrow.

The 2021 YSN-ASM Virtual Colloquium was conducted from 10 to 12 December 2021 to reinforce YSN-ASM’s influence and visibility as a young scientists’ platform. In anticipation of its 10-year anniversary in 2022, YSN-ASM members brainstormed various impactful programmes that align with ASM’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025.

During the Colloquium, an MoU signing ceremony has formalised ties between ASM, Petrosains Sdn Bhd, and Merck Sdn Bhd. This ceremony highlights a continuous collaboration between these strategic partners to materialise opportunities of achieving common goals in supporting ASM’s vision to become a changemaker in the STIE landscape.

Collaboration with International Parties

This year, YSN-ASM has initiated a collaboration with the Palestine Young Academy, formalised with an MoU signing in October 2021 to foster STI collaboration between the young scientist networks.

YSN-ASM INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC VIRTUAL CONFERENCE (ISVC)

The inaugural YSN-ASM International Scientific Virtual Conference (ISVC) 2021 held from 30 March to 1 April aims to:

• Provide a platform for interdisciplinary knowledge sharing, learning and collaboration between local and international scientists.
• Identify emerging research niches/areas that the global research community should champion to address local needs and global challenges.
• Develop strategies to improve capacity and access to resources to harness the potential of the global research community.
• Promote sustainable research leadership among emerging researchers in the country.

With “Resilient in the New Norm” as a recurring theme across six tracks, the virtual conference has gathered numerous accomplished researchers around the world. ASM Honorary Fellow and Nobel Laureate Professor Dr Lee Yuan Tseh was the plenary speaker on the opening day, sharing his thoughts on the topic “Survival of Humanity on Earth”. Professor Lee highlighted the importance of collective global efforts to curb the effects of climate change as well reminding the younger generation to focus on being good scientists and work together to produce impactful research for society.

Apart from that, a panel discussion was held on the topic “COVID-19 Pandemic Transformed the Way the World Does Science Together and the Way Forward” that gathered four researchers from different regions of the world. Despite unprecedented challenges, all of them agreed that scientists are now doing research by adapting nimbly with the new norm. The pandemic also showed that science communication plays a crucial part in educating the public.

There were Young Investigator Awards given within the six conference tracks; selected young speakers presented their research to be evaluated for this award. This award resonates with YSN-ASM’s ethos to nurture more young promising researchers. The conference plans to organise its second edition in 2023.