YOUNG SCIENTISTS’ INVOLVEMENT IN INT’L PLATFORMS BOOSTS M’SIA’S SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENT- MOSTI

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- The participation of the country’s young scientists in various international platforms brings significant value to the development of Malaysia’s scientific human capital, while also strengthening its research collaboration networks and science diplomacy.

Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) deputy secretary-general (Planning and Enculturation of Science) Datuk Ruziah Shafei said such participation also helps foster a culture of science across various segments of society, including initiatives that empower young scientists.

“MOSTI is committed to creating more opportunities for international participation to nurture a generation of scientists capable of driving innovation and strengthening Malaysia’s position in the global science ecosystem,” she said.

Ruziah made the remarks during a meeting with two young Malaysian scientists who attended the 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting in Germany, as well as a student who participated in the 2025 European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) Summer Student Programme (CSSP) in Switzerland, recently.

Also present were Academy of Sciences Malaysia chief executive officer Hazami Habib and its head of international affairs and communications Dharshene Rajayah.

Ruziah also commended the three scientists for representing Malaysia on the international science stage.

The 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, held from June 29 to July 4, brought together 35 Nobel Prize winners and more than 600 young scientists from 84 countries.

Malaysia’s two representatives for the programme, Research Scientist at Universiti Teknologi Petronas Dr Nur Diyan Mohd Ridzuan and Senior Lecturer at the School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia Dr Ana Masara Ahmad Mokhtar, participated in various sessions, including Nobel Laureate lectures, panel discussions, and open dialogue sessions between young scientists and Nobel Prize winners.

For the CSSP programme, held from June to September, Malaysia was represented by Muhammad Aiman Zulkipli, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) graduate in Theoretical Physics from Lancaster University, United Kingdom.

During the programme, Muhammad Aiman carried out actual research assignments alongside more than 150 young international scientists at CERN, one of the world’s leading particle physics centres.

Ana Masara, 34, told Bernama that her participation in the 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting allowed her to communicate to the public the importance of research activities in science and technology.

“We want to show the public that the research we conduct is not just for ourselves, but for the nation’s development and the well-being of the people,” she said.

According to Nur Diyan, 30, the meeting served as a platform to enhance her knowledge in science communication, allowing her to share with the public the importance of science and technology.

“As science communicators, we must be able to raise public awareness about science and technology. I also learned to be an ethical researcher,” she added.

Meanwhile, 30-year-old Muhammad Aiman said the programme he participated in allowed him to expand his knowledge before sharing it with the public, adding that it suited him well, as he loves conducting research.

To date, 89 young Malaysian scientists have attended the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings since ASM became the official nominating body in 2004, while 27 Malaysian students have had the opportunity to participate in the CSSP through a collaboration between MOSTI and ASM.

-- BERNAMA