Recognition for professor
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.
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