National Academic Awards, highest recognition for scholars

SEPANG: The National Academic Awards (AAN) is held to give the highest recognition to top scholars at local institutions of higher learning (IPT) said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.

She said AAN is awarded in appreciation of the best contributions of academicians in teaching and learning (PdP), discovery of new knowledge, academic publications and sharing in social media, creative inventions as well as knowledge transfer and development for communities and societies across continents.

At the AAN ceremony which was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob here tonight, Noraini said AAN is a prestigious award to prove the commitment of the Higher Education Ministry (KPT) to continue developing excellent lecturers and teaching staff.

The National Academic Figure award this year went to Professor Emerita Datuk Dr Asma Ismail of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Professor Datin Paduka Dr Khatijah Mohamad Yusoff of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

Since it was introduced in 2006, 86 individuals have been conferred AAN awards.

Among the renowned AAN figures were the late Royal Professor Dr Ungku Abdul Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid, the late Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim, and Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid.

-- BERNAMA