Latest news with #MazlanOthman
The Star
4 days ago
- Science
- The Star
Space for all
Penang was chosen as the location for Malaysia's first cosmonaut school due to its thriving space enthusiast community and facilities like Tech Dome Penang, which will serve as the secretariat of the International Youth Space Academy (IYSA), says Malaysian astrophysicist Tan Sri Mazlan Othman. 'The state is also home to Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), which has its own space engineering programme, so the ecosystem is already ready,' she said. Building on this, USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed highlighted the need to nurture students' interest and passion for space science and technology from an early age. Integrating space education at an early stage could inspire students to pursue careers in areas such as aerospace engineering, satellite systems, remote sensing, and other space-related fields, he said. Prof Abdul Rahman added that it is equally important to recognise space technology as a catalyst for everyday innovation. 'Advancements originally developed for space missions have the potential to benefit various sectors, including healthcare, communication, and environmental management,' he noted. With new frontiers opening up, he said, space exploration will continue to create a diverse range of career opportunities for young Malaysians in fields such as astrobiology, aerospace engineering and space law. Ensuring equitable access While early nurturing is key, Datuk Nonee Ashirin believes that equal access is just as important. For her, the mission to launch IYSA – a joint effort between the Nonee Ashirin Foundation (NAF) and CWC Enterprise Pte Ltd – is deeply personal. 'As both a mother and a leader, I feel a personal responsibility to ensure that no child is left behind simply because of where they were born. 'To me, it's about making sure that a child in rural Sabah or deep in the interiors of Kelantan has the same spark of opportunity as one in a top-tier school in Kuala Lumpur,' the NAF founder shared. Nonee Ashirin envisions the IYSA as a pioneering hub where students from diverse backgrounds can see themselves thriving in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), aerospace and exploration fields. Echoing her sentiments, National STEM Association president and founder Emerita Prof Datuk Dr Noraini Idris said space education must be both a moral and strategic priority for Malaysia. 'Rural and underrepresented communities in Malaysia often face systemic barriers – limited Internet access, under-resourced schools, under-trained teachers, and fewer role models in STEM fields,' she said. If left unaddressed, she said these gaps will perpetuate inequalities in Malaysia's future workforce, hindering the nation's ability to fully realise its human capital potential. 'Space education should not be viewed as a luxury reserved for elite schools (such as boarding schools, international schools, and private schools), but rather as a national investment in talent development,' she said. Partnerships with the private sector are vital if we are to level the playing field, Nonee Ashirin added. 'Private sector participation is not just welcomed – it's essential. We are working closely with Safran Helicopter Engines, the Royal Malaysian Air Force and more. 'We are truly looking forward to turning it into a model of how industry and education can come together to spark a national movement,' she said. Shaping future leaders Russian cosmonaut trainer Timofey Egorov, who will be helping to develop the IYSA curriculum, said the academy will expose students aged 10 to 15 to modules that combine physical conditioning, science and ethics – all regarded as essential qualities for future cosmonauts. 'In the curriculum, there will be three major modules – basics of a healthy lifestyle; space flight essentials; ethics and cosmism,' he shared. One of the most transformative parts of the programme, Egorov highlighted, is the summer camp module. 'Living in nature 24/7, without parents, and having to care for yourself and others makes huge transformations in young minds. They become self-reliant, disciplined, and learn that the world around them is connected with them on a deep emotional and fundamental level,' he said. To Mazlan, the IYSA is also about shaping future leaders who understand that space will be central to all aspects of life. 'This academy is not just about creating future space leaders, but future leaders because space is going to be an integral part of whatever we do in the future,' she said. Looking ahead, Mazlan sees the IYSA becoming a regional hub for space education. 'We're focused on promoting the academy among Asean countries as it's affordable for families in the region to come to Penang. 'But we are also planning on approaching other countries with established space programmes as they may be interested in diversifying their training venue,' she concluded.
Free Malaysia Today
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
An astrophysicist and dance icon unite for a stellar journey through space
Dancers in a segment dedicated to the sun, the maker of the day. (Sutra Foundation pics) KUALA LUMPUR : Though often seen as separate realms, the arts and sciences are in fact two sides of the same creative coin. Both, after all, seek to explore, understand, and interpret the magic of the world. Often, magic happens when the two come together. This is clearly illustrated by upcoming theatre production 'Meniti Cakerawala 2.0', where Malaysia's first astrophysicist Mazlan Othman joins forces with dance legend Ramli Ibrahim and his Sutra Foundation, for an awe-inspiring production combining music, dance, film and art. Prepare for a stellar experience as Mazlan and her team explore the science and romance of the cosmos, and the interconnectedness of art and science. 'In the eyes of the heavens, we are all nothing. We are nothing but a speck of dust, a blink in the lifespan of the universe. So why do we keep on fighting each other?' Mazlan told FMT Lifestyle. 'I think this show has a very timely message, as it calls towards a universal humanity, for coming together in this difficult age the world is facing now.' A segment illustrating the conjoining of male and female principles in the myth of creation. (Sutra Foundation pic) According to Ramli, the show's artistic director, the idea for the show was sparked after the launch of Mazlan's book 'Cosmic Connections' in 2023. Reading it, he was convinced it would make a fine multimedia theatrical adaptation. 'We hope to have as many young people come to watch it, to hopefully inspire them to take a deeper interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),' he told FMT Lifestyle. 'Meniti Cakerawala 2.0' will focus on Mazlan's journey and contributions to Malaysia's scientific landscape, including her work with the Malaysian Space Agency and the founding of the Langkawi National Observatory. Mazlan herself will serve as storyteller, aided by 12 Sutra Foundation dancers and musicians Kamarul Baisah and Jayalakshmi Sekhar. 'When Ramli first suggested this, I was frightened! I expected to just be in the background, not upfront on stage! 'But I've more or less overcome that fear now. And I see now why it's important for me to be up there, telling my story and the story of the cosmos,' Mazlan said. Both Mazlan Othman and Ramli Ibrahim hope the audience will feel a deep connection with the universe through the 'Meniti Cakerawala 2.0' performance. (Sutra Foundation pics) The first version of the show premiered in Kuala Lumpur in December 2024, receiving rave reviews. Now, 'Meniti Cakerawala 2.0' will embark on an eight-city Malaysian tour from next month until September, making stops in Melaka, Seremban, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Klang, Bayan Lepas, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. For a show centred on stars, it's only fitting that it has a star-studded roster of collaborators on board. 'Meniti Cakerawala 2.0' will feature music by avant-garde composer Valerie Ross, fashion design by Leslie Variyan, lighting and set by Sivarajah Natarajan, and photography by S Magendran. Other artistic collaborators are poet laureate Haji Salleh, artist Jalaini Abu Hassan, dramatist Johan Jaaffar, and actors Chacko Vadaketh and the late Mano Maniam, whose performance was recorded before his passing. Transforming astronomical principles into dance choreography sounds like it would be a complicated task, but Ramli gamely decided to take up the challenge. In this segment, Mazlan expresses her dream to be wrapped in the cosmic cloths of the heavens. (Sutra Foundation pic) 'Dance is metaphor. And in the great book of Natya Shastra, it says there is no concept or axiom that cannot be depicted as dance. 'Even the concepts such as creation, polar opposites, or equilibrium can be expressed through movement, sometimes far more effectively than through words,' Ramli said. One highlight of the show will be an exploration of how celestial bodies have influenced the cultural traditions of various ethnic groups. 'We live by the sun, and love by the moon, so to speak. The sun is the maker of the day, the witness of deeds. At the same time, we found there was so much Malay music, especially love songs, that was inspired by the moon,' Ramli said. Mazlan and Ramli said they were hoping to take the show to India, as well as other destinations such as Singapore and Thailand. 'It's a show that will definitely appeal to the thinking public. I hope audiences take the message that they feel materially and physically connected to the heavens. Ultimately, we are all made of 'star stuff',' Mazlan concluded. Stay tuned for more information on the theatre production of 'Meniti Cakerawala 2.0'. (Sutra Foundation pic) For more information on 'Meniti Cakerawala 2.0', visit the Sutra Foundation's website.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Malaysia's first astrophysicist Mazlan Othman says AI can make students better thinkers if schools adapt
KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — Malaysia's first astrophysicist, Tan Sri Dr Mazlan Othman, believes artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to make students better thinkers, but she emphasises that schools must change how they assess students. Rather than expecting students to memorise and regurgitate answers, Mazlan suggests teachers should evaluate how creatively students prompt AI tools. 'The skill is in the questioning — teachers should assess students by the kind of questions they ask AI tools,' she told Malay Mail in a recent interview. 'We are far too focused on asking them to find solutions to equations or problems that we give them. Education must aim to let students think for themselves,' she added. Drawing from her astrophysics career, Mazlan said students should be inspired to explore science through an appreciation of arts and nature. 'For example, the way to attract students to maritime science or the maritime industry is not to teach them how to build boats but to inspire them about the sea,' she explained. Mazlan revealed that her own fascination with the sky and stars stemmed from her childhood love of poetry, long before she delved into the celestial sciences. One poem that remains etched in her memory is 'He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven' by Irish poet William Butler Yeats, which she described as 'a beautiful and poignant piece that captures the beauty of the sky.' Mazlan's fascination for the sky and stars sprung from her childhood love for poetry, way before she discovered astrophysics. — Picture courtesy of Sutra Foundation Breaking barriers in science Born in Seremban, Mazlan has achieved several firsts. She is Malaysia's first astrophysicist, the first woman to earn a doctorate from the University of Otago in New Zealand, and the first Malaysian to lead the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) — a role she held twice. Astrophysics, however, was not her initial career plan. As a Colombo Plan scholar, Mazlan was required to return to Malaysia after graduation to work as either a physics teacher or a physicist at a nuclear institute. But she hesitated to specialise in atomic or nuclear physics due to prevailing anti-nuclear sentiments in the scientific community. 'Luckily, I discovered astrophysics in my third year. So, I wrote to the Colombo Plan committee to inform them that I was staying in New Zealand to pursue astrophysics,' she said. After returning to Malaysia in 1981, Mazlan became a lecturer at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), where she pioneered an astrophysics programme. In 1994, she was appointed an astrophysics professor. Mazlan also spearheaded the establishment of the National Planetarium and became its first director-general. She played a pivotal role in designing Malaysia's first remote-sensing satellite, TiungSAT-1, launched in 2000. From 2002 to 2007, she served as the founding director-general of Malaysia's National Space Agency (Angkasa). Leading the global space agenda Mazlan's tenure as UNOOSA director was marked by notable achievements, including negotiating a global protocol to address near-Earth object collisions, such as asteroid strikes. 'At that time, countries were pushing for a protocol to deal with asteroid strikes because a theory suggested that 65 million years ago, an asteroid strike caused the extinction of dinosaurs,' she said. The protocol gained consensus after three years of debates, though member states did not agree to let the UN Security Council make the final decision in such a scenario. During her time at UNOOSA, Mazlan was jokingly referred to as the first point of contact for aliens due to her office's resources and expertise. Highlighting the space sector's projected growth to nearly US$2 trillion (RM9.2 trillion) by 2035, Mazlan noted that global politics continue to heavily influence space-related decisions, as space dominance remains a strategic advantage in warfare. Between her two terms at UNOOSA, Mazlan led Malaysia's first space exploration mission, culminating in astronaut Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha's journey to the International Space Station in October 2007. When asked if Malaysia is ready to send a second astronaut to space, Mazlan said it would be worth considering if the country has something novel to contribute to space exploration.
Malay Mail
08-06-2025
- Science
- Malay Mail
Malaysia's first astrophysicist Mazlan Othman says AI can make students better thinkers if schools adapt
KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — Malaysia's first astrophysicist, Tan Sri Dr Mazlan Othman, believes artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to make students better thinkers, but she emphasises that schools must change how they assess students. Rather than expecting students to memorise and regurgitate answers, Mazlan suggests teachers should evaluate how creatively students prompt AI tools. 'The skill is in the questioning — teachers should assess students by the kind of questions they ask AI tools,' she told Malay Mail in a recent interview. 'We are far too focused on asking them to find solutions to equations or problems that we give them. Education must aim to let students think for themselves,' she added. Drawing from her astrophysics career, Mazlan said students should be inspired to explore science through an appreciation of arts and nature. 'For example, the way to attract students to maritime science or the maritime industry is not to teach them how to build boats but to inspire them about the sea,' she explained. Mazlan revealed that her own fascination with the sky and stars stemmed from her childhood love of poetry, long before she delved into the celestial sciences. One poem that remains etched in her memory is 'He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven' by Irish poet William Butler Yeats, which she described as 'a beautiful and poignant piece that captures the beauty of the sky.' Mazlan's fascination for the sky and stars sprung from her childhood love for poetry, way before she discovered astrophysics. — Picture courtesy of Sutra Foundation Breaking barriers in science Born in Seremban, Mazlan has achieved several firsts. She is Malaysia's first astrophysicist, the first woman to earn a doctorate from the University of Otago in New Zealand, and the first Malaysian to lead the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) — a role she held twice. Astrophysics, however, was not her initial career plan. As a Colombo Plan scholar, Mazlan was required to return to Malaysia after graduation to work as either a physics teacher or a physicist at a nuclear institute. But she hesitated to specialise in atomic or nuclear physics due to prevailing anti-nuclear sentiments in the scientific community. 'Luckily, I discovered astrophysics in my third year. So, I wrote to the Colombo Plan committee to inform them that I was staying in New Zealand to pursue astrophysics,' she said. After returning to Malaysia in 1981, Mazlan became a lecturer at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), where she pioneered an astrophysics programme. In 1994, she was appointed an astrophysics professor. Mazlan also spearheaded the establishment of the National Planetarium and became its first director-general. She played a pivotal role in designing Malaysia's first remote-sensing satellite, TiungSAT-1, launched in 2000. From 2002 to 2007, she served as the founding director-general of Malaysia's National Space Agency (Angkasa). Leading the global space agenda Mazlan's tenure as UNOOSA director was marked by notable achievements, including negotiating a global protocol to address near-Earth object collisions, such as asteroid strikes. 'At that time, countries were pushing for a protocol to deal with asteroid strikes because a theory suggested that 65 million years ago, an asteroid strike caused the extinction of dinosaurs,' she said. The protocol gained consensus after three years of debates, though member states did not agree to let the UN Security Council make the final decision in such a scenario. During her time at UNOOSA, Mazlan was jokingly referred to as the first point of contact for aliens due to her office's resources and expertise. Highlighting the space sector's projected growth to nearly US$2 trillion (RM9.2 trillion) by 2035, Mazlan noted that global politics continue to heavily influence space-related decisions, as space dominance remains a strategic advantage in warfare. Between her two terms at UNOOSA, Mazlan led Malaysia's first space exploration mission, culminating in astronaut Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha's journey to the International Space Station in October 2007. When asked if Malaysia is ready to send a second astronaut to space, Mazlan said it would be worth considering if the country has something novel to contribute to space exploration.
