FEATURE Close Encounter with Cosmic Icon Datuk Dr Ir. Sharifah Azlina Raja Kamal Pasmah

rofessor Emerita Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman has a long list of firsts. She graduated as ’s first astro-physicist and, on completion of her doctorate degree, she became the first woman in PUniversity of Otago’s 120-year history to get a PhD in physics. She returned to Malaysia to be a lecturer at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in the Physics department. In 1990, she was seconded to the Prime Minister’s Department to establish the Planetarium Division, later known as Space Studies Division (1993), and thereafter became its head. As its first Director-General, she led in the designing and manufacturing of Malaysia’s first remote-sensing , TiungSAT-1, which was launched in 2000. In 1999, she was appointed the first female director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), based in Vienna, Austria.

In 2002, at the request of the then United Nation’s office in Vienna, in focused on housing, i n f r a s t r u c t u re , Prime Minister of Malaysia, she 2011. transportation, electrical & returned to serve as the founding-and- Today, the remarkable Datuk Dr electronics and the environment. first Director-General of the Malaysian Mazlan still has a similar impact on • Third phase: Mega Science National Space Agency (ANGKASA) me. Short of her retirement, she was 3.0 (started in 2015) is more and spearheaded the Angkasawan contemplating about “taking it easy industry-focused, namely furniture, Programme which successfully launched and enjoying life’ but soon, the tireless automotive, creative, tourism and the country’s first , Datuk scientist was back in Malaysia, pouring plastics & composite. Dr , into her energy into advisory committees The project aspires to build a the International Space Station (ISS) and boards involving science and prosperous, harmonious and in 2007. ANGKASA is responsible for space, teaching as a visiting professor sustainable nation and population, the development, research and and became the Project Director for maximising on STI. The success and dissemination of space science Mega Science 3.0 at the Academy of realisation of this project also entails programme including formulating Sciences, Malaysia. Science, Technology, Engineering policies and regulation, coordinating, and Mathematics (STEM) talents to be implementing and monitoring all MEGA SCIENCE 3.0 the key drivers of research, innovation activities related to space. Mega Science is a project and enterprise through transformative In 2007, as she “hadn’t quite championed by the Academy of thinking and integrated actions. finished her task”, she was re- Sciences Malaysia to position Science, appointed Director of UNOOSA in Technology and Innovation (STI) as Vienna, followed by an appointment the key driver for socio-economic 14 Professor Emerita as the first female Deputy Director- transformation. The project looks at Datuk Dr Mazlan General of United Nations Office, global mega trends with projections Othman Vienna in 2009. Datuk Dr Mazlan into the year 2050 and aims to position retired from the UN in 2013. Malaysia within these future scenarios. I was in awe when, as an alumni, Under the programme, a total of 15 she visited our alma mater, Tunku sectors are covered: Kurshiah College, back in the early • First phase: Mega Science 1980s. She was already well ahead 1.0 (2010-2012) focused on then in charting her career, while I the water, energy, health, was still a teenager who hadn’t a clue as agriculture and biodiversity to what I would be. Three decades addressing energy for the ● APRIL 2018 later, I was still in admiration, listening future. to her inspiring achievements when • Second phase: Mega she granted me a courtesy call at her Science 2.0 (2013-2014) JURUTERA

THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, MALAYSIA FEATURE

As the Project Director for Mega STEM has been set at university level, Science 3.0, Datuk Dr Mazlan has we subsequently find that barely 10% ensured that common futures are are qualified to go into the Science projected in all 15 sectors. In addition, stream in the first place. There is an she is spearheading the Malaysia anomaly of prevailing pre-requisite Foresight 2050 study. The findings of requirements against the policy, this study and of Mega Science will an area that should have been re- be the launching pad and game- examined had there been sufficient changer in achieving the aspirations data. Research culture must be set out. In the course of doing so, instilled and made as an agenda risks are simultaneously identified towards formulating realistic and and the risk-management framework achievable goals. developed. As for the prevailing decline in STEM enrolment which is phenomenal OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM in Malaysia, several factors have There is growing concern that our been found to contribute to this. They current education system may not include: be creating enough thinkers for the • Science is not taught interestingly future. Datuk Dr Mazlan opined that enough to attract students in to produce thinkers, both creativity schools. and arts must also be encouraged. • Remunerations and rewards for Building knowledge on STEM alone is a scientist and retaining scientists insufficient and there should also be must commensurate with effort; the inclusion of arts and culture to make promotion to administrator’s role the system holistic. Japan, France and is thought to be the only route to Italy are among countries in which the better remuneration and in the element of culture is very strong and course, the best minds are no ingrained in their education systems. longer retained for their science Innovation comes from creativity roles. and unless creativity is consciously • A new generation is brought up and structurally encouraged and to expect instant gratification, motivated in schools, a country may while science is known to require continue to produce generations rigorous thinking, time-consuming of workers, not thinkers. The nation research processes and often may lose out in building its long-term slow discovery before reward is competitive edge because of the recognised. lack of thinkers. She advocated that • There may simply be insufficient our education system teach students career opportunities in science how to think and to have foresight. and one will not embark on any On another concern, while discipline if statistics show there are Malaysia may have the facilities few job prospects in it. and human resources, it is equally An individual will typically take pertinent to invest in technology, 12-16 years to complete his/ lest good talent leaves. Without her education prior to entering 15 structured programmes and with the the workforce. Education policies absence of aspirational targets, the must be formulated to take this best minds will ultimately leave. This will into consideration. Malaysia’s subsequently create a gap and impair demography indicates strength in our our capability and capacity. Often young population and our leaders an industry is sustainable only when need to be forward-thinking and people are intrigued and inspired by visionary in motivating this young big and noble goals, some bigger than generation in preparing the country themselves or their companies. for the future.

BIGGEST CONCERNS UNIVERSE VS MULTIVERSE ● APRIL 2018 One of Malaysia’s handicaps is the lack Datuk Dr Mazlan introduced the of relevant data to form the basis for concept of “multiverse” as opposed policy making. For example, while to “universe”, taking the word “multi” JURUTERA a goal for 60% of students to go into to a higher level. She prompted me

THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, MALAYSIA FEATURE

to imagine that the Universe we in space and co-ordination of space observe, from end-to-end, as a drop law among countries. When asked in the cosmic ocean (which I did, but what the most valuable experience A Nehemiah Group of Companies my simple mind seemed incapable of was during her tenure in the UN office, Formerly Neusynthetics Sdn. Bhd. perceiving such). her reply was nothing celestial but We are a supplier of high quality Beyond what we can see and simply the down-to-earth capability geosynthetic products used for soft soil observe, there is more space, to exercise her diplomacy skills when stabilization, slope reinforcement, coastal erosion protection, river bank protection, more stars and more galaxies for dealing with so many nations, each landfills, drainage, road and railway innumerable billions of light years with its own background, resources construction. farther than we will ever access. Further and local national agenda. Our Products: on there are, again, infinite more Her challenge was to keep Universes similar to this. Our universe is abreast of each country’s affair and NEXTILE NON-WOVENS believed to be at least 10 billion light to remain politically mindful in her NEXFORCE HIGH-STRENGTH WOVENS years in diameter and to contain a course of facilitating, mediating and

NEXGRID GEOGRIDS vast number of galaxies; it has been negotiating issues with the countries, expanding since it was created in the in their best interests. The spectrum We also provide design, specification, bill of Big Bang about 13 billion years ago. of the issues was astronomically large quantities, cost estimate and drawings free-of-charge. This concept of multiverse is simply and the gap between each country overwhelming and equally daunting often wide. “That is what the UN is about, to my earthling mind. a culture of 193 nations in the world,” Space travel is another topic she said. that fascinates Datuk Dr Mazlan. She Datuk Dr Mazlan is also one who relates the discovery of water on the values diversity. Having worked in the UN, planet Mars, indicating the possibility she is grateful to have collaborated of lifeforms there. But apart from the with different people from various anticipation of meeting Martians, backgrounds and cultures and who the planet offers many amazing speak in their own distinct languages. attractions like Olympus Mons, the Diversity is Malaysia’s strength and she mountain with a summit that reaches advocated that we celebrate our 25km into the sky and has a base differences and be optimistic for the measuring 600km in diameter and country because of our diversity as Valles Marineris, the Grand Canyon compared to other countries which which is deeper than the Grand are homogeneous. Our diversity is what Canyon of the USA and spans the drives the country forward and forms width of the US, coast to coast. the fundamentals of our progress. At the time this article was being written, the rare celestial phenomena HER PASSION NOW of the super blue blood moon occurred In 2017, Datuk Dr Mazlan became on the evening of 31 January, 2018. Director of the International Council for Despite her busy schedule, Datuk Dr Science (ICSU) Regional Office for Asia and Mazlan took time to provide facts on the Pacific (ROAP), an organisation the phenomena, the last of which that promotes the development of occurred 150 years ago. science in Asia Pacific and aids in 16 “Super moon” was because strengthening the voices of scientists the moon was 14% bigger and 30% within the region. ROAP is involved in Get in touch with us: brighter due it being closest to programmes which include supporting Tel: 03-6142 6638 Earth at that time, “blue moon” was regional efforts on natural hazards and Fax: 03-6142 6693 because it was the second full moon disaster risks, sustainable energy and within the same month, and “blood health & well-being in the changing [email protected] moon” was because it was a total urban environment. Datuk Dr Mazlan lunar eclipse which gave the moon a is leveraging on her leadership role Sales Team: red tint where the Earth sat between in integrating natural and social science to Lee Hui Seng (012-3293378) Fazrol (012-3163341) the sun and the moon. address the challenges. She will also use this platform to create awareness of

● APRIL 2018 N EHEM IAH G EO SYN TH ETICS SD N. B HD. MOST VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN the importance of science in formulating No. 45-3, Jalan PJU 5/20, The Strand, Kota Damansara, UN TENURE policies. 47810 Petaling Jaya, At UNOOSA, Datuk Dr Mazlan took She is also a visiting professor at the wwwSe.nlaenguosry Dnatrhule Ethicssan.c. om JURUTERA Malaysia. the lead in international co-operation Permata Pintar Genome-to-Space

THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, MALAYSIA FEATURE

Program since 2017, Emeritus Professor at UKM, adjunct faculty at UPM and REFERENCES IEM DIARY OF EVENTS Senior Fellow at ASM. All these are [1] ANGKASA, Agensi Angkasa Negara [Online] available at http://www. Title: 1-Day Seminar on avenues for her to give back to angkasa.gov.my [accessed on 31 Electromagnetic Compatibility society. January, 2018]. (Emc) and Functional Safety [2] Community – PERMATA Pintar CONCLUSION National Gifted Center [Online] 23 April 2018 available at http://www.ukm.my Organised by : Electrical Engineering No words can further describe the [accessed on 2 February, 2018]. Technical Division achievements of Datuk Dr Mazlan, our Time : 8.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m. very own scientist who has attained CPD/PDP : 7 great stature in the world of science. Author's Biodata She is indeed our shining star in the Kindly note that the scheduled Ir. Sharifah Azlina Raja Kamal Pasmah is the events are subject to change. multiverse. Executive Director & COO of HSS Engineers Please visit the IEM website at www. Bhd., specialising in Roads & Transportation and Infrastructure & Project Management. myiem.org.my for more information on the upcoming events.

@WiSET_2018 17-19 JULY 2018 KL CONVENTION CENTRE

IEM Women Engineers Section will be hosting Women in Science, Engineering & Technology Conference (WiSET 2018) on 17-19 July, 2018, at Convention Centre with the theme, Global Outlook of Women in Science, Engineering & Technology.

Ms. Gail Mattson, President of International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES) will be the main keynote speaker for WiSET 2018. She is a registered professional engineer with over 30 years involvement in advancing women in STEM at the Society of Women Engineers, United States. She is also founding member of INWES and the INWES Education and Research Institute.

Conference attendees will have the opportunity to hear the insights of some of the leading women in STEM. The plenary sessions features women leaders, experts and change makers in industry, academia and government. The panelists include Ms. Valerie Agberagba, Chairperson of Women in Engineering Standing Committee of World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEOs), Prof. Dato’ Dr Noraini Idris, Chairperson of National STEM Movement and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Datin Paduka Ir. Dr Siti Hamisah, Director-General, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, as well as prominent speakers from Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia, Wanita Industri Binaan Malaysia and more.

The opening theme – Engage, Empower, Energise – will focus on leading tomorrow’s women in STEM today and furthering their roles in technology to address today's pressing global issues. Dr Marcella Lucas, Business Development Director for International Ventures, LeadWomen, Malaysia, will be the moderator for WiSET. She delivers strategic initiatives to support the government’s National Transformation efforts and is a member 17 of The 30% Club which believes that gender diversity is good for the overall effectiveness of the boardroom and therefore, is good for business.

Featured speakers include:

 Datuk Ir. Rosaline Ganendra, Executive Director of Minconsult Sdn. Bhd.  Dato’ Sr. Lai Wai Seang, President of Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia.  Ir. Sharifah Azlina, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of HSS Engineers Berhad.  Ms Rohaida Ali Badaruddin, Chief Executive Officer at Scomi Engineering Bhd.

The conference will have many exciting programmes and will feature new and exciting track presentations, addressing key topics such as the 4th Industrial Revolution, women empowerment, women in sustainability community, sustainable technology & innovation, globalisation and industrial development. ● APRIL 2018

For registration and further information, please visit http://www.myiem.org.my/news/newsdetails.aspx?id=447 JURUTERA

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