The finalists will contend for the sponsored prizes from the UL Research Institutes, worth $12,500 USD for the competition’s overall winner and $5,000 USD for the runner-up.
Twelve ASEAN member states have been named as finalists for the 2023 Underwriters Laboratories-ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women, according to the Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the US government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and UL Research Institutes.
The finalists will contend for the sponsored prizes from the UL Research Institutes, worth $12,500 USD for the competition’s overall winner and $5,000 USD for the runner-up.
Dr. Juliana Haji Zaini of Brunei Darussalam, Dr. Noor Titan Putri of Indonesia, Dr. Nofri Yenita Dahlan of Malaysia, Dr. Charlle L. Sy of the Philippines, Dr. Lili Zhang of Singapore, and Dr. Nguyen Thi Yen Lien of Vietnam are the finalists in the mid-career scientist category.
Dr. Maria Natalia R. Dimaano of the Philippines, Dr. Nu Rhahida Arini of Indonesia, Dr. Norasikin Ahmad Ludin of Malaysia, Dr. Hla Nu Phyu of Myanmar, Prof. Madhavi Srinivasan of Singapore, and Dr. Pimpa Limthongkul of Thailand are the finalists in the senior scientist category.
The theme for this year, “Electrification,” honours the significant contributions made by ASEAN women scientists to the development of electricity using clean, renewable energy sources in a manner that benefits the economy and the environment. More than 662 million people currently reside in Southeast Asia, and their innovation has the potential to have a direct impact on that number.
The ninth annual Science Prize for Women highlights the lasting contributions made by women to society through STEM research. The competition highlights the productive collaboration between the public and private sectors between ASEAN COSTI, USAID, and the nonprofit UL Research Institutes, which is devoted to rigorous research and safety in science education.
Four regional finalists will be chosen by USAID, Underwriters Laboratories, COSTI, and the ASEAN Secretariat to present research presentations in October to decide who will receive awards.
Mohammad Nazri Mohammad Yusof, the chair of ASEAN COSTI 2023 and permanent secretary of Brunei’s ministry of transport and information, commended the finalists for their innovative work in utilising electrification as a renewable energy source, setting an outstanding example for sustainable development and paving the way for a greener future in the area.
According to Judy Jeevarajan, vice president and executive director of the Electrochemical Safety Research Institute at UL Research Institutes, “this competition highlights the importance of renewable energy for powering communities in the ASEAN region, thereby reducing the carbon footprint.”
“We continue to proudly support this year’s Prize finalists, whose work offers solutions to advance the economic development of their communities while reducing practises that are harmful to the environment.”
The US has sponsored the Science Prize for Women for nine years in collaboration with ASEAN COSTI and UL Research Institutes. The competition aims to further ASEAN’s energy objectives, lessen reliance on fossil fuels, and stimulate resilient economies.
This Indo-Pacific strategy is supported by USAID, which also encourages economic inclusion, women’s empowerment, and sound governance. Since 2014, the competition has attracted close to 400 participants from all ten ASEAN nations.