20-05-2025
UM honours endangered language expert with top academic award
KUALA LUMPUR: An endangered language research expert from Universiti Malaya (UM) was honoured with the UM Academic Figure Award during the 14th edition of the UM Excellence Awards (ACUM) on Tuesday (May 20).
UM faculty of language and linguistics and department of English language Prof Dr Stefanie Shamila Pillai received the award for her contributions in the field of Malaysian English language varieties and the preservation of heritage languages.
The award was presented to her by the UM Chancellor, The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah.
Prof Stefanie is the first Malaysian to document and archive endangered languages in Malaysia, specifically the Malaccan Portuguese language, through the Endangered Languages Archive (Endangered Languages Documentation Programme).
Her work not only advances academic publications and intellectual property but also fosters partnerships with local language communities through mobile dictionary development and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
"Languages are not just about communication, it is also about communicating our culture, our practices, and how we think.
"Malaysia has more than 130 languages, many people do not know this. I would say more than 70% of those languages are indigenous languages and the majority are under threat.
"It is really important for us to keep using our languages and to document and to revitalise our languages," she said.
UM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman said the awards were the university's highest form of recognition for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their respective fields.
"The individual and collective excellence we celebrate today directly contributes to the enhancement of UM's international reputation," he said during his key address at the ACUM here.
A total of 59 staff, individuals, research centres, and corporate bodies were honoured at the ACUM in 45 different categories.
Other award categories include the Special Award for High-Impact Individual Contributor, Special Award for Strategic Thinker Partner, Excellent Researcher (Clinical Field), Top Citation Researcher (Science Field), Excellent Academic Administrator (Academic Department), Excellent Academic Staff, and more.
The UM ACUM is an annual event held to honour outstanding UM staff and corporate bodies in recognition of their contributions to the university.
Also present at the ceremony were UM pro-chancellor Toh Puan Dr Aishah Ong and UM board chairman Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar.
