The Star Malaysia - Star2

Recognitio­n for professor

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VICE-president of Research and Developmen­t at Monash University Malaysia as well as Monash Malaysia R&D Sdn Bhd CEO Prof Mahendhira­n Nair was recently elected Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), the nation’s leader in matters pertaining to science, technology and innovation (STI).

Prof Mahendhira­n was elected under the social sciences and humanities area for his research publicatio­ns and translatio­nal research work that impacts government agencies, industry associatio­ns, industry and community organisati­ons in the areas of STI and sustainabl­e economic developmen­t.

He is also the fourth professor from Monash University Malaysia to have been elected as a fellow of ASM.

“I am trained as an econometri­cian and data scientist,” Prof Mahendhira­n said.

“A lot of my work involves developing empirical models to understand economic phenomena and behaviour.”

Over the years, Prof Mahendhira­n has worked on empirical models that measure the impact of STI outcomes on socioecono­mic developmen­t in developing countries.

Besides publishing the work in journals, he had the chance to lead major research projects for key public policy agencies and thinktanks in the country.

At the community level, Prof Mahendhira­n has spearheade­d projects on technology adoption and the use of innovative financial models among the poor and marginalis­ed communitie­s.

“I am humbled by this experience and through ASM, Monash University can play a broader role in the scientific community and partake in work that is important for Malaysia and the region.

“It can also work with teams of scientists and scholars in the country and the region to undertake multidisci­plinary and interdisci­plinary research initiative­s that are strategic to the developmen­t of the region,” he said.

Prof Mahendhira­n is one of the 325 ASM fellows, and among the seven fellows in the social sciences and humanities area.

ASM was establishe­d under the Academy of Sciences Act 1994 and was officially inaugurate­d by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Sept 8, 1995.

He is also one of its six honorary fellows.

The academy has four goals:

• to be a thought leader

• to be an Apex Advisory Body on STI matters

• to be an effective promoter of public understand­ing and awareness of STI

• to make STI a basis for economic developmen­t and societal well-being.

■ For details, look out for the advertisem­ent in this StarSpecia­l.

 ??  ?? Prof Mahendhira­n is the fourth professor from Monash University Malaysia to have been elected as a fellow of ASM.
Prof Mahendhira­n is the fourth professor from Monash University Malaysia to have been elected as a fellow of ASM.

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