Dr Aini Ideris named National Academic Figure for 2026

KLANG: Former Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) vice-chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Aini Ideris was named National Academic Figure at the 17th National Academic Awards ceremony.

The award was presented by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir with Dr Aini receiving a trophy, certificate and RM200,000 in prize money.

Dr Aini, 73, has contributed to avian medicine, animal biotechnology and vaccine development, including the development of the Newcastle disease vaccine (NDV4UPM) and a fowlpox vaccine, which have entered international markets.

She also made history as the first woman appointed UPM vice-chancellor, serving from 2016 to 2020, and previously received the 2010 National Academic Award in the Innovation and Product Commercialisation category.

She was also awarded the 2026 Merdeka Award in the Outstanding Contribution to Science, Technology and Innovation category.

The 17th National Academic Awards recognised the excellence and contributions of nine academics from higher education institutions in various fields.

The Promising Academic Award went to Prof Dr Ong Wee Jun of Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) and Associate Prof Dr Serene Lock Sow Mun of Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP).

The Innovation and Product Commercialisation Award went to Associate Prof Dr Mohd Khairi Abu Husain of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), while the Book Publication Award was presented to Dr Siti Noor Hafizah Mohamed Sharif of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

The Teaching Award (Arts and Social Sciences) went to Associate Prof Dr Saipolbarin Ramli of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).

Other recipients were Associate Prof Dr Jayanthi Arasan of UPM for the Teaching Award (Pure Sciences); Dr Ooi Say Keat of USM for the Journal Article Publication Award (Social Sciences and Arts); and Prof Dr Yong Wai Fen of XMUM for the Journal Article Publication Award.

Recipients in the respective categories received RM50,000 in prize money, a trophy and a certificate, while the Promising Academic Award recipients received RM25,000.

In his speech, Zambry said the ceremony represented the nation's highest honour for scholars and academics who had dedicated their lives to advancing knowledge and contributing to society and the country.

"This recognition is not merely an acknowledgement of past achievements, but also a responsibility to continue exploring knowledge, producing quality work and inspiring future generations.

"We want to produce scholars who not only achieve excellence for themselves but also build the greatness of their nation. Scholars can reach for the sky while remaining rooted to the earth," he said.

The awards is an annual programme organised by the Higher Education Ministry since 2002.

This year's edition was managed by the Academic Excellence Division of the Department of Higher Education, in collaboration with USM and Universiti Tenaga Nasional, which served as the programme's committee and secretariat.