JOHOR BAHRU, June 3 — The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), successfully organised an online sharing session titled “YSN-ASM Members in Social Sciences: Get to Know Their Journey” on Tuesday afternoon. The event drew participation from academic staff, especially those under the age of 40 (Cohort C), in an effort to foster early-career involvement in national scientific initiatives.
The session began with opening remarks by the emcee, Nur Syafiqah Abd Rahman, followed by a welcoming speech delivered by Prof. Madya Dr. Mohd Fauzi Abu @ Hussin, Deputy Dean (Research, Innovation & Development), FSSH. In his address, Dr. Fauzi highlighted the importance of academic engagement in national research networks. He also encouraged academic staff aged 45 and below to register as members of Young Scientist Network-Academic of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM), emphasizing the valuable opportunities the network offers for professional growth and national contribution.
The floor was then handed over to Dr. Muhammad Talhah Jima’ain, who moderated the session with a series of well-structured discussions featuring three distinguished panelists: Prof. Dr. Fatin Aliah Phang Abdullah from the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology (FEST); Dr. Kew Si Na from the Language Academy, FSSH; and Dr. Ana Haziqah A. Rashid from the School of Human Resource Development and Psychology (SHARPS), FSSH.
Prof. Dr. Fatin Aliah opened the sharing session by introducing the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), outlining its core functions and explaining its role as the parent body of the Young Scientists Network (YSN). She also shared her personal experience as an ASM Fellow. This was followed by Dr. Kew Si Na, who provided an overview of YSN-ASM’s structure, including its Executive Committee and working groups. Dr. Ana Haziqah then elaborated on the distinctions between YSN-ASM members and affiliates, offering guidance on the application process.
The panelists went on to reflect on their personal motivations for joining YSN-ASM, providing insights into their current roles and the value of being part of such a dynamic community. Each panelist shared their journey, shedding light on the ways in which YSN-ASM had enhanced their professional development and opened doors to meaningful collaborations.
In the subsequent segment, the panelists recounted memorable experiences they had while engaging with YSN-ASM initiatives, ranging from outreach programmes to leadership development platforms. Their stories illustrated the breadth of opportunities available to members and showcased the impactful work being done in the social sciences through the network.
The session also explored the broader benefits of joining YSN-ASM, such as enhanced networking, leadership development, and career growth. The panelists collectively encouraged all participants, particularly early-career academics, to seize the opportunity to actively contribute to scientific advancement at the national level while simultaneously enhancing their academic influence.
An engaging question-and-answer session concluded the programme, allowing attendees to interact directly with the panelists, seek clarification, and deepen their understanding of YSN-ASM’s roles, initiatives, and available opportunities. The event received positive feedback from participants and served as a motivating platform for young lecturers who are considering taking on more active roles in shaping Malaysia’s scientific and academic future.
By Kew Si Na & Nur Syafiqah Abd Rahman