UniMAP Woman Researcher Grabs International Gold Winner in London
Kangar, 16 October – Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) Woman Researcher Dr. Noorhafiza Muhammad ennobled the name of Malaysia in the international arena by winning the top International Gold Winner award in the European Union of Woman Inventors & Innovators Network (EUWIIN) which took place at the British Library, London.
UniMAP Vice Chancellor Brig. Jen Datuk Prof. Emeritus Dr. Kamarudin Hussin said that Dr. Noorhafiza caught the attention of nine jury members adjudicating the EUWIIN led by Diane Morris from EUWIIN International.
He said that the accomplishment of the UniMAP senior lecturer and a Centre of Excellence Geopolymer and Green Technology (CEGeoGTech) researcher proves that UniMAP's research agenda is paramount and is not limited to men.
According to him, Noorhafiza is among UniMAP's women researchers who are active in research and her achievement is hoped to inspire other young women researchers at UniMAP.
“Congratulations and well done to Dr. Noorhafiza, and I hope that her successes will prevail into the future especially to uphold the field of research and development, simultaneously acquiring brand new knowledge,” he said.
EUWIIN is organised by the Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network (GWIIN) and assembles women scientists from a wide range of research fields, and is participated by 20 countries including United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Iceland, Switzerland, Latvia, China, Taiwan and Bahrain.
Also accompanying Dr. Noorhafiza in the competition are young researchers from two of UniMAP foster schools, namely Sek. Men. Sains (SMS) Hulu Selangor and Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Intergrasi Rawang, whereby SMS Hulu Selangor was crowned Youth Overall Platinum Winner.
Also receiving recognition is the Manager of CEGeoGTech, Prof. Madya Dr. Mohd. Mustafa Al-Bakri Abdullah who received the Ambassador Award as appreciation for his contributions to promote the research agenda among women researchers.
In the meantime, Dr. Noorhafiza who was the recipient of the National Fellowship For Women in Science Award from L'Oréal Malaysia last year said that her success is not because of her personal strength but an acknowledgement for the research that she had carried out.
“My research product Laser Surface Modification Of Biomaterials For Coronary Stent Applications is not just a victory for myself and UniMAP but a victory for the field of medicine and a great boon to coronary patients,” she said.
She explained that the research, which involves the restructuring of the surface of metal mesh employing a laser, was carried out for the purpose of saving more lives of cardiac patients whose numbers are increasing in this country.
“The main intent of the restructuring is to facilitate the process of endothelialisation on the metal mesh which will generate the appropriate reaction on biological tissue and increases heart performance,” she said.
Previously, Dr. Noorhafiza was invited as the main speaker in a women's forum of over 300 worldwide participants to present the topic “From Research To Award Winning Discoveries And Innovation”.
Besides her, also invited as speakers were the President of Riffa Cultural Society Bahrain Dr. Jamal Hala, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Haute Arabia Ms. Romana Abu Baker, Founder and Chairperson of Arab International Woman’s Forum Haifa Fahoul Al Kaylabi and Julia Barfield, the architect from Marks Barfield Architects one of the designers of the London Eye.
