Dr Ravigadevi becomes first Malaysian elected to Royal Society
KUALA LUMPUR: A Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Dr Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, making her the first Malaysian scientist at the world's oldest and most prestigious scientific academy.
It also marks a historic milestone for the country.
The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti), in a statement on Wednesday (May 21), said Ravigadevi will be officially inducted into the Society in London on July 11, 2025, where she will sign the Royal Society's historic Charter Book, a record that bears the signatures of scientific luminaries spanning more than three centuries.
A pioneering biotechnologist, Ravigadevi was appointed a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) in 2010 and is currently the Chair of the Biological, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Discipline.
She is also a Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences and a former Director of the Advanced Biotechnology and Breeding Centre at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), where she led transformative research in oil palm biochemistry and genomics.
"Her innovations have had a global impact, particularly in improving yield, resource efficiency and environmental sustainability.
"One of her most significant achievements was leading the team that decoded the oil palm genome, a major scientific breakthrough published in the prestigious journal Nature. This led to the discovery of the SHELL gene, which plays a key role in determining oil yield,' the statement read.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Chang Lih Kang, lauded the achievement, saying that Ravigadevi's election as the first Malaysian Fellow of the Royal Society marks a proud moment for the nation.
"This recognition is not only a personal triumph but also a symbol of what Malaysia stands for under the Malaysia Madani framework, a nation that uplifts prosperity through knowledge and champions sustainability through innovation.
"Mosti will continue to build an ecosystem that nurtures excellence, accelerates impact and positions Malaysia as a respected contributor to global science,' he said.
In response to the honour, Ravigadevi said the recognition was not a personal achievement, but a tribute to the exceptional teams she had the privilege of working with.
"Scientific progress is never the work of one individual. It is the product of shared vision, dedication, and collaboration. The vibrant research ecosystem at MPOB and our committed collaborators made all of this possible,' she said.
Meanwhile, ASM President Academician Datuk Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen FASc said the inclusion of a Malaysian in the prestigious fellowship signals the increasing impact of Malaysia's scientific contributions globally.
"More importantly, Dr Ravigadevi's research has advanced scientific understanding and brought tangible societal benefits,' he said.
Founded in 1660, the Royal Society counts among its Fellows many of history's most influential scientists, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, and Stephen Hawking.
For 2025, more than 90 individuals from countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, China and Switzerland have been selected as Fellows of the Royal Society. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Experts call for relook on local STEM education as US tightens foreign student policies
KUALA LUMPUR: The tightening of foreign student policies in the United States may have disrupted the study plans of many worldwide, but Malaysian experts say this is an opportunity to relook at support and funding for local institutions. Former deputy higher education director-general Professor Datuk Dr Noor Azizi Ismail said with the right ecosystem, greater autonomy and stronger funding, local universities could offer high-quality education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. "We have the talent. Many of our academics are graduates of world-class universities, but they also possess a better understanding of our local context," he said to the New Straits Times. Noor Azizi, who is also former UMK vice-chancellor and Malaysian Graduate School Entrepreneurship and Business lecturer, acknowledged that the US remained home to top STEM institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard and Stanford. But he said the current restrictions could steer students toward equally strong alternatives. "In fact, our local universities may even be more relevant in addressing regional challenges and industry needs," Noor Azizi added. International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) principal director (Academic and Internationalisation) Professor Dr Amir Akramin Shafie echoed the view, saying that "brain stay" could strengthen domestic institutions and fill talent gaps, particularly in Malaysia's key sectors, like semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. Amir Akramin, who is also a lecturer at IIUM's Mechatronics Engineering Department, highlighted the strengths of British and Australian universities, with the former known for its excellence in fundamental sciences and engineering, while the latter led in environmental science, mining and biotechnology. "The perception that the US is the sole leader in STEM might be partially outdated," he said. Amir added that Germany, Japan and South Korea had also invested heavily in STEM education and could now offer globally respected programmes. While some students might initially struggle to shift away from the "US dream", Amir Akramin believed many would adapt and develop new preferences. "This will enhance our diversity and increase the overall international experience of our STEM workforce," he said. Both academics also said with the current US policy, the country might experience reduced exchange of ideas and fewer international collaborations, which would eventually shift the global innovation landscape away from American institutions. "On the upside, a shift from "brain drain" to "brain stay" could help Malaysia strengthen local innovation, build institutional capacity and establish itself as a regional hub for STEM education," said Noor Azizi. On May 27, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered a suspension of student visa processing as President Donald Trump's administration ramped up vetting of their social media. It was the latest move after Rubio rescinded hundreds of visas and the Trump administration moved to bar Harvard from admitting non-Americans. Rubio had used an obscure law that allowed the removal of foreigners for activities deemed counter to US foreign policy interests. The most visible targets had been students involved in activism over Gaza. Trump administration officials accused the students of anti-Semitism, charges strenuously denied by a number of those targeted.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Barnama
Malaysia Techlympics 2025 Expected To Attract 1.7 Million Participants
KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) aims to attract 1.7 million participants for the Malaysia Techlympics 2025 and will extend its reach to international participants in a science, technology and innovation (STI) competition. MOSTI said in a statement today that the programme, organised through the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation Sdn Bhd focuses on promoting interest, instilling a strong STI culture among students and youths, and helping to shape a future-ready generation. 'The initiative includes inclusivity, an effort on widening access and equity by reaching underserved communities and remote areas through targeted outreach initiatives," it said.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Malaysia Techlympics 2025 expected to attract 1.7 million participants
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) aims to attract 1.7 million participants for the Malaysia Techlympics 2025 and will extend its reach to international participants in a science, technology and innovation (STI) competition. MOSTI said in a statement today that the programme, organised through the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation Sdn Bhd focuses on promoting interest, instilling a strong STI culture among students and youths, and helping to shape a future-ready generation. 'The initiative includes inclusivity, an effort on widening access and equity by reaching underserved communities and remote areas through targeted outreach initiatives,' it said. The programme will introduce more artificial intelligence (AI)-focused competitions and activities, encouraging future generations to explore and develop expertise in the field as AI plays a crucial role in the future economy. Malaysia Techlympics 2025 is aligned with national and global priorities through support for the National STI Policy 2021-2030 and the Malaysia MADANI vision, with the aim to build high-impact local technological capacity. The competition is open to participants aged seven to 30 and will be carried out in phases, starting at the school level, continuing with zonal screenings across six main regions and progressing to the national finals, which is scheduled to take place in November.
