KUALA LUMPUR – Some of the nation’s most pressing issues, including growing poverty and inequality in society, can be tackled by way of new approaches and solutions, said Sultan Nazrin Shah.
The Perak ruler said one of the approaches is to empower youth, with their efforts to help the young, old, and marginalised overcome the structural and systemic obstacles they face.
This can be achieved by providing a platform such as the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment, which was established in 2012 to provide those under the age of 35 with the opportunity to design solutions, and drive change to address some of the nation’s most pressing needs.
“Over the past few decades, the world has undergone many amazing changes and recorded many significant achievements. Our country alone has experienced transformational developments in the economy, in our infrastructure, and in our human capital.
“Yet, despite all the remarkable breakthroughs we have collectively made, humanity continues to face dire challenges in everything, from access to basic necessities such as water, food, and even shelter to growing poverty and inequality, a far too slow energy transition, and waste mismanagement, to name a few,” he said at the Merdeka Award Grant ceremony today.
Thus, Sultan Nazrin said that if we are to change the narrative in order to ensure a more sustainable future for all of us, we must address the growing concerns regarding social inclusion and environmental conservation today.
“If we are to effectively address the pressing problems that we collectively face, we must seek new approaches and find new solutions,” he added.
As the royal patron and chairman of the Merdeka Award Trust, Sultan Nazrin said that the Merdeka Award Grant is given to highly qualified and deserving Malaysians so that they may pursue projects at internationally renowned institutions in order to develop their own expertise and expand their network.
This year, more than 160 individuals across Malaysia have put in a bid to take their research and career ambitions further through this means, but only five recipients have been selected.
The recipients are Masni Mat Dong, a lecturer from Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology; and Syaza Soraya Sauli, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s PhD candidate, for the education and community category.
Other recipients are Ng Chuck Chuan, a postdoctoral fellow from the Nanyang Technological University and Research Officer of Danau Girang Field Centre, Amaziasizamoria Jumail, both for the environment category, and Asst Prof at Xiamen University Malaysia, Kong Xin Ying (health, science, and technology category).
“These five individuals represent a generation of youth who are the heartbeat of our nation and the architects of our future progress.
“By giving them the opportunity to help reimagine a more inclusive society that leaves no one behind, we are contributing to the dignity of all humanity,” Sultan Nazrin said.
Also present at the event was Petronas president and group chief executive officer and a member of the Merdeka Award Board of Trustees, Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik Tengku Aziz. – August 25, 2023