SCHOLARS and intellectuals in Malaysia will be able to help build a stronger culture in Malaysia with their talent and skills, said Higher Education Minister Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh.
The minister, who paid tribute to these academicians, said their capabilities were not just confined to exploring the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Their high capacity, he said, would mean that they could help enhance a culture that is based on humility and integrity in everyday lives.
“They would be able to form a high value culture and a new civilisation,” he added.
Idris singled out several achievements seen in the country which were due to the contributions of Malaysian scholars.
Such contributions from them had led to the creation of a base that allowed for ideas, discoveries and innovations to thrive in a dynamic ecosystem of the country, he said.
“All the plans, strategies and planning which are being done should be directed towards creating a world that is more humane.
“Scholars and intellectuals have a role here. They are capable of influencing this direction,” he said in his speech at the Anugerah Akademik Negara 2017 (National Academic Awards) in Putrajaya recently.
Among those present were Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Mary Yap Kain Ching and Higher Education Department director-general Datin Paduka Ir Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir.
The prestigious Anugerah Akademik Negara (AAN) is the highest recognition given out by the Government to scholars whose achievements have put Malaysia in a good standing in various fields.
This AAN is into its 11th edition this year. The recent ceremony in Putrajaya was held to simultaneously give out awards for the 11th AAN, plus last year’s recipients as well since AAN 2016 was not held last year.
During the ceremony, Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Khoo Kay Kim from Universiti Malaya (UM) was named the recipient of the “Anugerah Tokoh Akademik Negara ke-10”.
Prof Ulung Tan Sri Dr Mohd Kamal Hassan from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) and Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) were honoured as the recipients for the 11th “Anugerah Tokoh Akademik Negara”.
Recipients of the “Anugerah Tokoh Akademik Negara” are given RM200,000 cash prize besides a trophy and certificate.
Other recipients were Prof Ir Dr Srimala Sreekantan from USM and Prof Dr Mohamad Roji Sarmidi from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Both were awarded the “Anugerah Inovasi dan Pengkomersialan Produk”.
Dr Mohd Yusof Saari from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM); Dr Mohamad Saleeh Rahamad @Ahamad from UM, and Assoc Prof Dr Lim Hong Ngee (UPM) were given “Anugerah Penerbitan Makalah Jurnal, Anugerah Penerbitan Buku dan Anugerah Ahli Akademik Harapan”.
Other recipients were Syahrul Nizam Junaini from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Prof Dr Debra Sim Si Mui (UM), Assoc Prof Dr Azidah Abu Ziden (USM) and Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Makmor Bakry from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Each of them were given the “Anugerah Pengajaran”.
Assoc Prof Dr Tazul Izan Tajuddin from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) was honoured with the “Anugerah Seni dan Kreativiti”.
All these winners received RM50,000, a trophy and certificate.
The minister also launched a coffee table book on “Cendekiawan Terbilang” during the Putrajaya ceremony.
“Cendekiawan Terbilang” features all the achievements made by the first 10 recipients of “Tokoh Akademik Negara” since AAN’s inception in 2006.
The AAN was introduced to acknowledge academicians who have excelled and contributed to the development of education and the country on the whole.
It is not given out solely for teaching and research. It recognises that institutions of higher learning have other tasks besides its traditional role to educate and to research.
It is of the view that universities must also emphasise on knowledge and technology transfer which benefits the society. There should be “community engagement” from them.
Thus, the AAN is a recognition to those have served, or still serving at institutions of higher learning in Malaysia, the following areas:
? teaching
? knowledge discovery
? scientific or creative writing
? transfer or expansion of knowledge
AAN offers seven main categories – Anugerah Tokoh Akademik Negara, Anugerah Penerbitan Makalah Jurnal, Anugerah Penerbitan Buku, Anugerah Inovasi dan Pengkomersialan Produk, Anugerah Seni dan Kreativiti, Anugerah Pengajaran, and Anugerah Ahli Akademik Harapan.
Incidentally, Anugerah Ahli Akademik Harapan is given out to those who are below the age of 40. The award is meant to recognise young intellectuals who are of high calibre.
So far, a total of 70 (including the recipients who received the award at the AAN 2017) academicians have received the awards in all these categories.
The selection process takes place based on nominations from the institutions of higher learning. Nominees must be Malaysian citizens only.
As for the selection committee, it comprises of academicians and representatives from various fields.
According to the Higher Education Ministry, the criteria for the awards and the categories will be reviewed from time to time to ensure its relevance.
It is of the view that such awards will be a catalyst in producing academicians who excel in their respective area of expertise.
Such a recognition will spur these intellectuals to continue producing the best works.
Academicians who excel will help push Malaysia towards producing high quality graduates and universities of international standards.
These recipients will be seen as icons in their respective area. They should be an inspiration to the others in the field of academics.
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