Each of the researchers are awarded up to US$40,000 over two years to help finance her research and will have a unique opportunity to pursue her studies at a renowned institution abroad. Under the UNESCO-L’Oréal International Fellowships, Malaysia now have 4 International Fellows including Tan Yifen, recipient 2010, Dr Chan Yean Yean, recipient 2009, Dr Nyon Mun Peak, recipient 2006 and Dr Suraini Abdul Aziz, recipient 2001.

Interested candidates are invited submit their applications to the Secretariat of the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO, Ministry of Education, International Relations Division, Level 7, Block E 8, Parcel E, Federal Government Administrative Centre, 62502 Putrajaya, Malaysia by 21st June 2010.

Download the UNESCO-L’ORÉAL International Fellowships 2011 application forms here.

Tay Ai Leen, Corporate Communication & Media Relations Director, L’Oréal Malaysia announced the launch of the 5th edition L’Oréal Malaysia For Women in Science Fellowships 2010 at the press conference held on 23rd March at the The Press Room, BSC.

This is L’Oréal’s number one corporate commitment to provide encouragement, support and recognition to women in the field of science. The national programme was launched in 2006, with the support of the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO and in partnership with the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. Since its inaugural launch in 2006, the L’Oréal Malaysia FWIS programme has awarded 12 outstanding young women researchers.

The programme was developed to recognize and support promising young Malaysian women researchers in their scientific research and highlight their significance in the field of science which would then encourage a new generation of women leaders. This programme also intends to position these women as significant contributors to the development of sciences that will aptly help Malaysia progress towards a developed country.

As young women, they have a powerful voice to speak as an effective and inspiring role model for others. Through the opportunities that the Fellowships provide, these young women develop their talents as advocates and public speakers for science.

Under the programme’s national level, L’Oréal Malaysia encourages Malaysian women researchers under the age of 35 years, who are PhD holders or currently pursuing research study in the field of Life Sciences to send in their applications.  Successful applicants will be awarded fellowships based on their research proposals that will significantly contribute to the development of sciences and will aptly help Malaysia progress smoothly towards a developed country and they in turn evolve as the new generation of women leaders in the field of science.

L’Oréal Malaysia organizes and finances the fellowship study while the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO will give support pertaining to matters involving applications and facilitate communications on formalities of the fellowship between candidates and Malaysian authorities, the other three supporting partners will establish the link with the scientific community and co-ordinate the application evaluation procedures.

The L’Oréal For Women in Science programme is a major part of philanthropy work which the company believes in and as a good citizenship to link closely the group’s economic growth with strong ethical principles and a genuine awareness of responsibilities to give back to society.

Registration for application of fellowships in the field of Life Sciences will be open from now till 30 June.  Application of proposed study must be submitted with an application form, which can be obtained from the Secretariat of the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO or at www.loreal.com.my or www.fwis.com.my and to be addressed to the Jury President for submission.

After the closing date, the jury composed from representatives from the supporting institutions will evaluate the fellowship applications and the fellowship beneficiaries will be notified and there will be an Awards ceremony in October 2010.

For more information, applicants can contact UNESCO at tel. no. 03-88846196 or L’Oréal Malaysia at 03-76518217.

Tan Yifen of Malaysia, UNESCO-L'ORÉAL Fellow 2010 receiving her Fellowship certificate from Béatrice Dautresme, Vice President of L'Oréal, and Walter Erdelen, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO

Kuala Lumpur, 4th  March 2010 - The 12th L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” Awards Ceremony was held on 4th March at UNESCO headquarters in Paris to honour exceptional women in science whose research contributes to changing the world.

The L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” Awards emphasizes and demonstrates the importance of participation of women in the development of science in today’s world. Besides recognizing and promoting exceptional women throughout the world for their careers in scientific research,  it also aspire to encourage vocations in science among young women while supporting  the creation of modern role models for current and future generations.

Since 1998, the L’Oréal- UNESCO For Women in Science Awards honoured five Laureates each year, one from each continent namely Africa and the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America, for their outstanding scientific contributions and commitment.

The UNESCO- L’Oréal international fellowships was launched in year 2000 to encourage and support promising young scientists, three from each of the five geographic regions – Africa, Arab States, Asia & the Pacific, Europe & North America and Latin America & the Caribbean,  to develop their talent.

Tan Yifen, the UNESCO-L’Oréal International Fellowships 2010 Award for Malaysia making her one of the women researchers from all over the world to receive this prestigious award. Each of the researchers are awarded up to US$40,000 over two years to help finance her research and will have the unique opportunity to pursue her studies at a renowned institution abroad.

Tan Yifen is currently a PhD student, specializing in molecular biology at the School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia.  Her research project is to study the function of small noncoding RNAs expressed during the biofilm formation phase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen which commonly resides in soil and water that causes severe infection in imuno-compromised patients.  The outcome of this molecular study will provide a foundation beneficial to future studies in developing antimicrobial drugs for human healthcare concern.  Yifen will pursue her research at the Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.

Malaysia Triumph in the International Fellowships

Under the UNESCO-L’Oréal International Fellowships, Malaysia now have 4 International Fellows including Tan Yifen and the past recipients are:

Dr Suraini Abdul Aziz, 2001 (Head, Department of Bioprocess Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia)

Project: Her research is to study bacteria which in their natural environment are specialized in degradation of plants debris and produce an enzyme which has great industrial potential.

.

.

Dr Nyon Mun Peak, 2006 (Post Doctoral Researcher at Birkbeck College, University of London)

Project: Her research aims to determine the three dimensional structure of cutinase, a fungal enzyme of great interest to the detergent industry.

.

Dr Chan Yean Yean, 2009 (Lecturer, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia)

Project: Her research project is on the emerging field of electrochemical DNA biosensors which aim to make diagnosis cheaper, faster and safer for rapid and accurate detection of infectious pathogens which leads to the implementation of effective prevention and treatment strategies.

.

About the L’Oréal –UNESCO For Women in Science Programme

In 1998, L’Oréal and UNESCO joined forces to develop the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme. Through the For Women in Science programme, L’Oréal and UNESCO seek to bring together women who are helping to change the world through their research. These expert scientists embrace global challenges ranging from health and the environment to citizen actions, and represent the bedrock of the future.

Recently, Professors Elizabeth Blackburn and Ada Yonath, both 2008 Laureates of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards, were awarded the Nobel Prize, in Medicine and Chemistry respectively. Recognition of the scientific excellence of these women by such a prestigious institution provides enormous encouragement for the future of the L’Oréal and UNESCO partnership.

Over the past 12 years, the For Women in Science programme has honoured 62 Laureates and 864 Fellows. It has become an international reference for scientific excellence and an invaluable source of motivation and inspiration for women in science.

DR ZARINA BINTI ASPANUT

Senior Lecturer
Department of Physics
Faculty of Science
Universiti Malaya

Her research is about fabrication and characterization of embedded gold nanoparticles in silicon dioxide thin film. The outcome of her studies will enable the development of an attractive material for producing good quality single electron device with optimized deposition condition which is beneficial to electronic device application, such as sensors.

(L-R) En Zaidi Bin Abdul Hamid ( Executive Secretary, Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO), Dr Zarina Binti Aspanut, Dr Zainovia Lockman, Dr Azura Binti A. Rashid, Andrew Stanleick ( MD, L’Oréal Malaysia) & Tay Ai Leen ( Corporate Communications Director, L’Oréal Malaysia)

Kuala Lumpur, 10 November 2009: L’Oréal Malaysia ‘For Women in Science’ Fellowships 2009 today granted three young female researchers RM20,000 financial assistance to pursue their proposed research in Malaysia. The Award ceremony was held at the prestigious Hilton Kuala Lumpur with the presence of the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for UNESCO –En. Zaidi Bin Abdul Hamid, and representatives from the partner institutions.

Launched in 2006 the L’Oréal Malaysia ‘For Women in Science’ program has the support of the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO and in partnership with the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Ministry of Higher Education.

L’Oréal Malaysia ‘For Women in Science’ National Fellowships award was developed to provide assistance, encouragement and recognition to women who contribute to scientific progress around the world.

The 3 winners are Dr Azura Binti A. Rashid, 33, Senior Lecturer at the School of Materials & Minerals Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia; Dr Zarina Binti Aspanut, 34, Senior Lecturer at Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya and Dr Zainovia Lockman, 33, Lecturer at the School of Materials & Minerals Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

From left, Dr Zarina Bt Aspanut, Dr Zainovia Lockman & Dr Azura Bt A. Rashid

Dr Azura’s project is to produce an eco-friendly and biodegradable natural rubber latex films by using sago starch as a biodegradable additive in natural rubber latex. This research has high commercial potential in the latex industry and will also promote environmental responsibility and sustainability and could reduce solid waste disposal problems.  Dr Zarina’s research is about fabrication and characterization of embedded gold nanoparticles in silicon dioxide thin film. The outcome of her studies will enable the development of an attractive material for producing good quality single electron device with optimized deposition condition which is beneficial to electronic device application such as sensors.

Dr Zainovia’s research studies the formation of Tungsten Oxide (WO3) Nanotubes, a material for Electrochromic Smart Window. It is anticipated that this project will contribute to the development of material for energy saving smart window and hence contribute towards the field of green technology and sustainability for future generation.

Since its inaugural launch in 2006, the L’Oréal Malaysia FWIS program has awarded 12 outstanding young women researchers in Malaysia. The For Women in Science program is a major part of philanthropy work which the company believes in and as a good citizenship to link closely the group’s economic growth with strong ethical principles and a genuine awareness of responsibilities to give back to society.

Panel of Judges ( L-R) Dr Azmi Haji Idris, Prof Dr Halimaton Hamdan, Prof Dr.Che Husna Azhari, Dr. Abd. Nassir Ibrahim & Pn. Lilywati Arshad

9th September, Kuala Lumpur – For the 4th year, L’Oréal Malaysia continues to provide financial assistance of RM20, 000 each to 3 young female researchers to pursue their scientific project in Malaysia. This is L’Oréal’s number one corporate commitment to provide encouragement, support and recognition to women in the field of science.

L’Oréal Malaysia For Women in Science Fellowships was introduced in 2006 with the support of the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO and in partnership with the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. This is an excellent platform to support promising young Malaysian women researchers in their scientific research and highlight their contributions to their field of Sciences and the development in our country.

The jury panel was made up of representatives from these supporting institutions and was presided by Professor Dr Halimaton Hamdan FASc –Executive Director of Enabling Science & Nanotechnology Research Alliance, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The jury panel also includes Professor Dr. Che Husna Azhari – Director of Centre for Corporate Planning and Communications & Professor of Materials, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; Dr. Azmi Haji Idris- Senior General Manager, Advanced Materials Research Centre (AMREC), SIRIM Berhad; Dr. Abd. Nassir Ibrahim, Director of Industrial Technology Division, Malaysian Nuclear Agency; and Lilywati Arshad, Scientific Director of L’Oréal Malaysia.

An encouraging number of submissions were received since the launch of the 4th Ed in March. The deliberation took place on 9 September at L’Oréal Malaysia’s Office and the jury panel was impressed with the quality of the research proposals submitted. It was a challenging decision for the jury panel to select the top 3 deserving candidates. The candidates were judged on their academic excellence and the feasibility of their research proposal with a high potential in contributing advances to research in Malaysia.

These 3 nominated outstanding young women scientist will be announced during the Award Ceremony in November.

Jochen Zaumseil (Asia Zone Director, L’Oréal),Tay Ai Leen, Jean-Paul Agon(CEO, L’Oréal),Dr Chan Yean Yean & Husband, Mr Chua

Dr Chan Yean Yean, received the award for Malaysia making her one of the fifteen women researchers from all over the world to receive this prestigious UNESCO-L’Oréal International Fellowships, honored by UNESCO and L’Oréal since 2000 to support women’s research in Life Sciences at the doctoral or post-doctoral level.

Her research project is on the emerging field of electrochemical DNA biosensors which aim to make diagnosis cheaper, faster and safer for rapid and accurate detection of infectious pathogens which leads to the implementation of effective prevention and treatment strategies. She will pursue her research at the School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Australia.

Each of the researchers are awarded up to US$40,000 over two years to help finance her research and will have a unique opportunity to pursue her studies at a renowned institution abroad.

To ensure the program’s diversity, the award is given to three Fellows from each of the five geographic regions – Africa, Arab States, Asia & the Pacific, Europe & North America and Latin America & the Caribbean.

Malaysia Triumph in the International Fellowship

Under the UNESCO-L’Oréal International Fellowships, Malaysia now have 3 International Fellows including Dr Chan Yean Yean and the past recipients are:

Dr Suraini Abdul Aziz, 2001 (Head, Department of Bioprocess Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia)

Project: To study bacteria which in their natural environment are specialized in their degradation of plants debris and produce an enzyme which has great industrial potential.

.

.

Dr Nyon Mun Peak, 2006 (Post Doctoral Researcher at Birkbeck College, University of London)

Project: Determining the three dimensional structure of cutinase, a fungal enzyme of great interest to the detergent industry.