The top 15 finalists of the 2021 YSN-ASM Chrysalis Award have delivered their final pitches at the Final Pitch programme held virtually on 23 November 2021.
Leong Wai Hong from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS claimed the top spot as an individual awardee; the second place went to Teoh Ai Ni from UCSI University. Meanwhile, Tan Yue Dian from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) placed third.
Team 2 scored a double win with the Best Team Award and the Special Chrysalis Poster Award. The team comprised Muhammad Ameerullah (UKM), Teoh Ai Ni (UCSI University), and Tan Yue Dian (UTM).
Teoh Ai Ni’s excellent performance during the Final Pitch seemed to have caught the attention of the judges, as she also took home the Best Presenter Award.
Consolation Prizes went to the following finallists:
- Chong Ho Phin (Universiti Malaya)
- Nur Diyan binti Mohd Ridzuan (Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS)
- Maimunah binti Mohd Ali (Universiti Putra Malaysia)
- Khoo Kuan Shiong (University of Nottingham Malaysia)
- Sim Yan Yi (UCSI University)
- Nur Vaizura Mohamad (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)
- Hii Ling Wei (International Medical University)
- Muhammad Ameerullah (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)
- Aishah Bin Mohd Marsin (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia)
- Muhamamad Raznisyafiq bin Razak (Universiti Putra Malaysia)
- Mak Kit Kay (International Medical University)
- Teoh Xin Yi (Universiti Sains Malaysia)
The YSN-ASM Chrysalis Award is a flagship leadership program of YSN-ASM since 2020. The term “Chrysalis” refers to “a transitional stage of life when undergoing a transformation between the immature and mature stages”, in analogy to the process that postgraduate students (pupal) undergo that culminate in successful graduation as competent researchers (butterfly).
Selected finalists will also experience continued support and mentoring for the next five years. This step is to ensure that these finalists are groomed to be outstanding researchers who will contribute towards Malaysia’s STI ecosystem.
The Chrysalis Award aims to identify and nurture promising PhD candidates to be the future pillars of the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) ecosystem.
In recognition for their talents, cash prizes will be awarded to the top three winners to advance their professional development. Suitable candidates will also be recommended to prestigious fellowships or internships at reputable institutions and establishments.
The objectives of the YSN-ASM Chrysalis Awards are:
- To identify and recognise the talents of promising future researchers in Malaysia.
- To develop and nurture these future researchers to fulfil their potential.
- To empower these future researchers in alignment with the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) outlook of Malaysia.
The participants went through four stages during the YSN-ASM Chrysalis Award programme. First, fifteen young scientists were shortlisted as YSN-ASM Chrysalis Award Finalists. Then, the finalists underwent a development programme through training modules organised by YSN-ASM to bolster relevant transferable skills and networking with outstanding local scientists.
This was followed by recognising the top three winners of the YSN-ASM Chrysalis Award. These finalists were shortlisted based on their demonstration of knowledge, enthusiasm, leadership, creativity, teamwork, presentation skills, and performance throughout the workshops and pitching programme.
Finally, the finalists and winners were invited to contribute to the STI ecosystem through YSN-ASM activities in the following years.
Watch the Final Pitch here.