MTSF concluded its programs for 2019 with the hosting of the 26th Prize Presentation Ceremony on 25 November 2019 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The ceremony was presided by Dr. Mohd Nor Azman Hassan, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC), representing MESTECC Minister Puan Yeo Bee Yin. Also present were Ryo Murayama, Executive Vice President of Toray Industries Inc., and Teh Hock Soon, Toray’s Chief Representative for Malaysia cum Managing Director of MTSF.
At the ceremony, a total of 27 Malaysians, comprising one scientist, 11 young researchers and 15 dedicated secondary school teachers received their awards and grants. The highlight of the function was the conferment of the “Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2019” by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to MTSF for promoting economic relations between Japan and Malaysia. The award was presented by Mr. Hiroshi Oka, the Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, to Tan Sri Dr. Omar Abdul Rahman, MTSF Chairman.
Later, the MTSF Portal was officially launched to facilitate MTSF’s board members, committee members and winners/grantees to share, interact and discuss related issues and topics of scientific interests. With the online application features readily available at the MTSF website, greater responses are anticipated for the coming 2020 Programs.
At the luncheon, which was attended by MESTECC Minister Yeo, she complimented Toray Group for the noble objectives of establishing MTSF in 1993. She was delighted to note that over the last 26 years, MTSF has expended some 15.8 million ringgit in funding 303 basic research projects and given 51 awards for outstanding scientific achievements, and 417 for creative and innovative teaching methods.
