Six Malaysian women were honoured for their contributions to technology, research, innovation and leadership at the Yayasan Tuanku Fauziah (YTF) Women in Technology Awards 2026 in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night, in an event attended by the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, and the Raja Perempuan of Perlis, Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid, NST reported.
The awards presentation and gala dinner were held at The Ritz-Carlton in Kuala Lumpur, FMT said, in conjunction with the 80th birthday celebration of Tuanku Tengku Fauziah. Also present were the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, and the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Dr Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, who is also YTF royal patron.
Academician Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Aini Ideris led the six recipients. A former vice-chancellor of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), she won the grand prize in the Senior Women in Technology category and received RM30,000.
Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) associate professor Dr Serene Lock Sow Mun took the grand prize in the Junior Women in Technology category, receiving RM15,000.
Two special awards in the senior category went to UPM senior lecturer Professor Dr Suraya Abdul Rashid, named the Rising Star, and Global Psytech founder Dr Haniza Yon, named the Industry Changemaker. Each received RM10,000.
In the junior category, Universiti Malaya senior lecturer Dr Marlinda Ab Rahman was named the Rising Star, while Universiti Malaysia Sarawak associate professor Dr Afzan Ahmad Zaini was named the Industry Changemaker. Each received RM5,000.
The six prizes add up to RM75,000 in total cash, drawn from the two category grand prizes and the four special awards.
Tuanku Dr Lailatul Shahreen said YTF is committed to opening opportunities and lifting the standing of Malaysian women who excel in high-impact fields. The success of the recipients, she said, showed that local women’s expertise not only matches global standards but is a main pillar in driving the country’s digital and technology-based economic growth.
Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) president and chief executive officer Rushdi Abdul Rahim said the award recognises individual achievement and aims to draw more women into science, technology and innovation. The recognition, he said, is meant to inspire younger women to keep exploring those fields.
The awards recognise women’s contributions to technology, raise their visibility, and inspire the next generation to pursue excellence in science, technology and innovation.
YTF was founded by Tuanku Tengku Fauziah in Kuala Lumpur on 19 April 2004, and carries the motto Women in Search of Excellence (WiSE). Members of the YTF Board of Trustees, distinguished guests, and representatives from industry, academia and the technology sector were also present at the dinner.
