CCM STEM UP CHALLENGE 2019
May 27, 2019
YSN-ASM Stakeholder Engagement Workshop on The Malaysian Science Communication Module
May 27, 2019
Five ASM Fellows were part of eight illustrious persons to be awarded by the Malaysian Scientific Association (MSA) during the 5th Tan Sri Dr BC Sekhar Memorial Lecture.
Academician Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Mustaffa Babjee FASc, Academician Dato’ Ir Lee Yee Cheong FASc, Datuk Dr Mohinder Singh FASc and Academician Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Lam Sai Kit FASc received the Senior Member Certificate of Recognition for Science & Technology Excellence.
This award was presented to members of MSA above 80 years of age for their lifetime achievement and excellence in science and technology. Also, Dr K Inder Singh was the fifth recipient of this award.
Meanwhile, Professor Datin Dr Zuriati Zakaria FASc was given the MSA Meritorious Service Award, in recognition of her exemplary service to the MSA Council.
The awards were presented by the Minister of Primary Industries Malaysia, YB Mdm Teresa Kok.
The annual Tan Sri Dr BC Sekhar Memorial Lecture was initiated in 2007 by the MSA Council as part of the effort of the Tan Sri Dr BC Sekhar Foundation to promote the advancement of science and technology in Malaysia.
The fifth of such programme was held this year, which featured Professor Denis J. Murphy as the keynote speaker. Professor Murphy is the Chair of the Biology Advisory Committee at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board.
In his address titled “Addressing Challenges Confronting the Image of the Palm Oil Industry”, Dr Murphy provided a historical context of the oil palm plantation industry in Malaysia.
His keynote elaborated on the progress of the palm oil industry in Malaysia, which flourished with genetic engineering despite facing fierce competition from other commodity crops of other countries.
He addresses the issues that have plagued the industry since then up until now and outlined the long-term measures to ensure the sustainability of this highly valuable crop that feeds billions of people and provides economic stability.
A Panel Discussion was held following Professor Murphy’s address, titled “Future Viability and Sustainability of Plantation Crops”.
The discussion was chaired by Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohd Bakke Salleh, Executive Deputy Chairman & Managing Director of Sime Darby Plantation Berhad.
The panel featured Dato’ Dr Zairossani Mohd Nor (Director General, Malaysian Rubber Board), Professor Sayed Azam-Ali (CEO, CFF Research Centre), Ms Denise Westerhout (Leader, Sustainable Markets Programme, WWF Malaysia), Mr M.R. Chandran (Senior Advisor, 27 Advisory Sdn Bhd) as well as Professor Denis J. Murphy.
In addition to the above mentioned awards, MSA also recognised two bright young students that evening, who have excelled in SPM and STPM or equivalent examinations: Ms Julia Natasya Datuk Ahmad Khushairi (8A – SPM) and Mr Shyam Singh Butler (7A – O Level).