BRITISH COUNCIL HONOURS MALAYSIAN CHANGEMAKERS 

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- Four Malaysians, all alumni of universities in the United Kingdom, were honoured for their contributions in business, science, culture and social impact at the British Council’s Study UK Alumni Awards Malaysia 2026.

In a statement today, the British Council said the awards, now in its seventh edition in Malaysia, recognised Dr Rebecca Tay Sook Hui’s contributions in the Business and Innovation category; Dr Hor Chee Peng for Science and Sustainability; Matthew Tan Yi Jian for Culture, Creativity and Sport; and Tan Shi Min for Social Action.

An alumna of the University of Nottingham, Tay was cited for her contribution to a national roadmap for pharmacogenomics implementation, helping to shape policies that advance future cures and was inspired to make pharmacogenomics accessible to all after losing her mother at a young age.

"This win gives me a platform to champion life-saving genetic testing because every family deserves a fighting chance, and no one should be left behind. It isn’t about personal recognition," she said in the same statement.

Meanwhile, Dr Hor,  a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, was recognised for leading his hospital’s pandemic preparedness and response during COVID-19,  attributing his effective management of the crisis to the evidence-based approach, systems thinking and collaborative leadership skills gained during his studies in the UK.

"I also am the first Ministry of Health’s representative to take home an award over the seven times the award has been organised in Malaysia and the first Commonwealth Scholar to win the Science and Sustainability award,” he shared, with a wide grin.

University of Oxford graduate Matthew Tan was honoured for shaping the next generation of Malaysian storytellers as a film educator, maker and scholar.

His documentary, ‘Partition’ on Southeast Asian migrant women in the United Arab Emirates, was selected for the Oscar‑qualifying Short Shorts Film Festival and Asia 2024 and the Oxford University Short Film Festival 2024, and was also nominated for Best Documentary Film at the British Film Institute’s Future Film Festival 2025.

This success aligned with his aim of amplifying Malaysian achievements in film on the global stage and bridging creative practice and research, drawing on the research skills he acquired during his time studying in the UK. 

Meanwhile, Shi Min, a graduate of University College London and Plymouth Marjon University, was recognised in the Social Action category for her efforts to make education more equitable through her innovative product, the Wheel of Learning, which has impacted over 1,000 teachers and students and improved students' English aptitude in rural Malaysia.

She was stunned when the winner was announced, but elated that her innovation, which started as a way to help students improve their language capability, had been recognised by an international award platform.

Shi Min now hopes to expand its impact to reach more rural youths and young children in the future through the “Projek Anak Malaysia” initiative that she started in collaboration with The Charisma Movement and Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu in 2012.

British Council Malaysia director Jazreel Goh noted that this year’s winners demonstrate what is possible when talent, purpose and opportunity intersect, reflecting not only personal excellence but also the wider impact UK alumni continue to make globally.

“At the British Council, we are proud to celebrate these changemakers, global citizens whose dedication to innovation and service is leaving a lasting, positive mark on the people and communities they touch,” she said.

British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma CMG said the Study UK Alumni Awards celebrated outstanding Malaysians who created a meaningful impact with their UK education, adding that their success was a testament to how UK education helped shape leaders, innovators and changemakers.

The Study UK Alumni Awards featured four award categories: Business and Innovation, honouring those driving economic growth through forward-thinking ideas and enterprises; Culture, Creativity and Sport, a newly introduced category celebrating artistic and athletic excellence; Science and Sustainability, recognising alumni championing solutions that protect our future; and Social Action, acknowledging individuals empowering communities and creating positive societal impact.

The biennial award recognised outstanding individuals who exemplified the global impact of a UK education, spotlighting Malaysian alumni driving innovation, advancing sustainability, championing social change and elevating culture. The 2026 edition received over 1,000 applications before being shortlisted to 20 finalists across four categories.

This year’s edition once again brought together a diverse group of trailblazers, leaders and changemakers, reflecting the strength and reach of the UK alumni community in Malaysia.

By celebrating these accomplishments, the awards also reinforce the value of a UK education in equipping graduates with the skills, perspectives, and leadership needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

-- BERNAMA