Five Deserving Malaysians Receive Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment

Kuala Lumpur, 16 August 2019 – The Merdeka Award Trust announced today that five exceptional young Malaysians will receive the prestigious Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment 2019.

The recipients are Dr Mohd Azri Ab Rani, 35, Juliana Ooi Sue May, 34, Dr Yanny Marliana Baba Ismail, 33, Feng Ying Xing, 29 and Chrishen R. Gomez, 25.

Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan and Royal Patron of the Merdeka Award Trust, His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-Lah, presented the Grant certificates to the recipients at an announcement ceremony here today.

In his keynote address, Sultan Nazrin said: “One of the most rewarding aspects of presenting the grant each year is getting to be part of this next step in the journey of a young Malaysian, in pursuit of his or her aspirations. I am greatly heartened by their energy and by their determination to make a diference in the world.”

In recognising the effort of the Founders of the Merdeka Award Trust, Sultan Nazrin said that the work of young researchers cannot be done in isolation, but requires the collective support from various organisations in the private and public sectors through funding and collaboration opportunities.

PETRONAS President and Group CEO, and Founding Member of the Merdeka Award Trust, Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin added that the pioneering spirit of Merdeka that drove the country’s growth should be encouraged among our young Malaysians as we move towards the future.

“The Merdeka Award Grant aims to recognise and nurture promising young Malaysians to cultivate their potential to be thought leaders with the spirit for innovation and a culture of excellence, the Grant is today, a signature programme of the Merdeka Award Trust and will be awarded biennially and alternated with the Merdeka Award each year,” he said.

To date, a total of 14 young Malaysians have been selected for the Grant with 11 of them having completed their international attachments. Three recipients who received the Grant in 2018 will be pursuing their attachments later this year.

For more information on the Merdeka Award Trust and its activities, please log on to the following sites:

Website: www.merdekaaward.my 
Facebook: http://j.mp/merdekaaward 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merdekaaward/ 
YouTube: http://bit.ly/merdekaawardyoutube 

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ABOUT THE MERDEKA AWARD
The Merdeka Award was established by PETRONAS, ExxonMobil and Shell on 27th August 2007 to recognise and reward excellent individuals and organisations whose works and achievements have contributed to the nation's growth and inspired greatness in the people of Malaysia.

It is a prestigious award that honours the outstanding work and achievements that have made an impact on the nation and its people in the following categories, namely Education and Community; Environment; Health, Science and Technology; Outstanding Scholastic Achievement; and Outstanding Contribution to the People of Malaysia.

In 2012, the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment was introduced to nurture promising young Malaysians and support them in their journey of excellence. The Merdeka Award Trust’s programmes aim to promote thought leadership and innovation, foster a culture of excellence and encourage a world view, thereby enhancing Malaysia’s standing as a dynamic, competitive 21st Century Global Player in all key sectors from science and technology to the arts.