Maryam’s research - from CITREx UMP to global recognition

KUANTAN, 1 October 2021 - Maryam Muzamir, 11, the daughter of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) lecturer, Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Muzamir Hasan struck it rich when she made Malaysia proud at the international level when she won three awards in the 6th Canada International Innovation and Invention Competition (iCAN 2021) in Toronto, Canada recently.

The success story of the youngest iCAN researcher was published in the local and international press and social media.

Congratulatory messages kept pouring in from all Malaysians, including the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri.

According to Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Muzamir, like other children, Maryam loves to play Lego, watch animations, and explore science since childhood.

“As early as 4 to 5 years old, her interest in science began to bloom.

“Her research started by innovating livestock feed from shrimp shells and snail shells called Yam 2.0.

“In the early stage, Maryam participated in the Creation, Innovation, Technology & Research Exposition (CITREx) at UMP in 2020 and 2021 and won gold medals,” he said.

Maryam also recently won a gold medal at the International Research Invention and Innovation Exhibition (IRIE) organised by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).

“From there, she challenged herself to participate in competitions at the international level.

“For me, CITREx UMP is also one of the best platforms to identify potential young researchers to showcase their research before competing at the next level,” he said.

He also shared a tip, each child must have their own abilities.

“Therefore, parents need to understand the child’s potential and always encourage their interests,” he said.

Maryam was even happier when she received a call from the palace saying that His Royal Highness, the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had agreed to meet at Istana Abdulaziz, Kuantan, Pahang recently.

When contacted by the palace, he had mixed feelings of excitement and surprise, but everything went smoothly.

During the audience at the palace, His Royal Highness was very friendly, caring and close to the people.
Maryam’s happy face clearly radiated when she met him.

As a father, he is also happy with his daughter’s success and would like to thank all Malaysians who shared many words of encouragement to Maryam.

This success would not have been possible without the help of the teachers of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Perempuan Methodist, Kuantan, Pahang.

In addition, several ministries and agencies contacted him to assist in filing patent and provide grants for this effort.

By: Nor Salwana Mohammad Idris, Corporate Communications Unit, The Office of The Vice-Chancellor 
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology