Malaysian Scientist Wins Merdeka Award for Cancer Research
"When one stops learning, one stops living. The phrase 'I am too old to learn' is just a myth."
66-year-old Malaysian scientist, Dr Ng Kwan Hoong can add another feather to his cap after bagging the prestigious Merdeka Award 2020 for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement. The Merdeka Award was established by Petronas, ExxonMobil and Shell in 2017 to recognise individuals and organisations whose achievements have not only contributed to the nation's growth but have also inspired greatness in the people of Malaysia.
It's divided into five categories, namely; Education and Community, Environment, Health, Science and Technology, Outstanding Scholastic Achievement and Outstanding Contribution to the People of Malaysia.
Dr Ng who is a senior professor at the Faculty of Medicine of University of Malaya (UM) is well known for his research in predicting breast cancer risk by measuring breast density in patients.
He shared that he was humbled to be enlisted under the list of eminent names that have won the award previously. The list includes: the late historian Tan Sri Khoo Kay Kim, economics professor Rajah Rasiah and engineering professor Masjuki Haji Hassan. "It was definitely a pleasant surprise and a humbling experience when you look at the calibre of the past recipients (as they are) excellent scientists, engineers and more who have contributed so much to Malaysia and are experts of their respective fields," he said.
He also expressed his gratitude to the board of trustees and the various nomination committees of the Merdeka Award who selected him. The prominent academic has had a long and illustrious career, having penned and co-authored over 250 papers in peer-reviewed journals. He's also an accomplished speaker and has presented over 550 scientific papers with over 350 of them being invited to lectures. Not only that, Dr Ng brought global acclaim to the country two years ago when he received the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Award in 2018 for his research in breast cancer risk assessment and radiation medicine.
The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Award is given by the UK-based International Organisation for Medical Physics which represents a total of 25,000 medical physicists worldwide. Despite his many achievements, he believes that there is still much for him to learn when it comes to advancing his work in medical physics. He strongly advocates the philosophy of lifelong learning and often encourages his students to challenge themselves by stepping out of their comfort zones.
Congratulations Dr Ng on your outstanding achievement!
8 Money Tips for Women for the New Year
As we welcome the coming year and begin to get things in order, it's always wise to get your priorities in order. Where your finances are concerned, remember that it should be your utmost priority - may it be on a personal note or in business.
Here are some useful financial tips to help you prepare for the year 2021.
1. Create a budget
Every good financial plan starts with a budget. Calculate how much you need to set aside for your monthly expenses (ie: rent, utility payments, car loan, housing loan, miscellaneous and etc.) Allocate the rest of it in an emergency fund to back you up during your rainy days.
2. Manage your own money
It may seem rather tedious but it's always wise to manage your own finances. It's alright to sought out help from your spouse, partner or family member to guide you through the process. You can also surf the internet as there are a variety of resources to help you learn the trick and basics of money management.
3. Invest wisely
We have a tendency to put others before ourselves and it is natural for a mother to prioritise her children before herself when it comes to financial security. However, remember that you too matter in this scenario. So, start by investing early to secure yourself financially. You can start with a fixed deposit and let the power of compounding work its magic. Believe me when I say that this money will prove its value to you in the future.
4. Cut down expenses
Write down a list of things you can do without and stick to it. You will come to realise that it is possible to give up on a few things in life without it having an impact on your lifestyle or comfort.
5. Start a side gig
Make the best out of your creativity to channel additional income. This would be a good time to sell those cookies or brownies during the weekends (if you're good at baking, that is!)
6. Make a plan to repay your debt
Let's face it - no one likes to be caught in debt. Set aside an amount monthly to repay them. The sooner it's cleared, the better.
7. Buy an insurance plan
It is important that you buy health or life insurance to safeguard yourself and your family members. Do ensure that it covers all aspects needed to protect yourself and your family.
8. Make a retirement plan
Invest in a plan that will take care of all your needs. Do not rely on anyone – no, not even your children. It’s great if they help but build a safety net if otherwise. Do not give away your home or precious belongings to your kids just yet; you can always leave it to them in your will. Invest in a monthly income plan and build a corpus for your retirement phase. This will ensure you have an income every month, say 40 years from now and will be financially independent.
Ikram Abdi Omar: The hijabi model breaking boundaries
Ikram Abdi Omar was the UK's first hijab-wearing model to feature on the cover of Vogue at the age of 21 and became the face of Burberry in 2019.
According to the 23-year-old Swedish-born Somali model who currently lives in Bristol, her heritage and religious beliefs have greatly influenced her career in modelling.
I like how everyone can express themselves differently and manage to portray a message with clothing alone. I believe my role in this industry embodies women's empowerment itself, because it shows that women have the choice to dress however they like, whether that includes showing skin or not, and still feel brilliant," she says.
With regards to the hijab, she says that it is of utmost significance to her as it stands for modesty and beauty. It shows confidence and serves as a reminder that she has a choice to dress the way she pleases. On a more spiritual notion, as a Muslim woman, she feels more connected to God and the Islam religion when she wears the hijab.
When she broke the news to her relatives in 2018 that she would be quitting her degree in biomedical science to pursue a career in modelling, she retrieved mixed responses. Her grandparents were not too keen with the idea as they perceived modelling not to be modest and it worried them. However, upon hearing explanations and seeing images on modest modelling, they are now at ease. As for her father Abdi Omar who desired for her to complete her degree, he was nothing but supportive of her choice.
"It's all about modesty for me. As a Muslim, being modest is a major thing and I just wanted to showcase to everyone that you can be modest and be into fashion because the hijab itself - apart from representing Islam - represents beauty." - Ikram Abdi Omar
Abdi Omar said, "I think as long as it's not compromising her religious beliefs, it was fine with me. There were many people in the Somali community that questioned Ikram's chosen career path but we had to explain. When we go back to our traditional roots, the older generation do not approve of anything to do with modelling or involving women being at the forefront in the public eye, but it's important to educate them and highlight that if you have morals and values, the western society respects you."
Being one of the first ever hijab-wearing models, Ikram has paved the way for women from the Muslim community to enter the modelling industry. "It's exciting to see a new wave of young Somali models because I feel like I have more sisters that I can connect and share experiences with. We can all help support, learn and lean on each other because it can be very intense and draining with a schedule in this industry. We can get advice on how each of us copes with everything," Ikram said.
"Stepping into a field where the hijab isn't a common thing to see, it gives hope to younger girls that wear the hijab, showing them that heights can be reached no matter the race, gender, age or religion. As long as you stay true to yourself." - Ikram Abdi Omar
Congratulations Ikram and kudos for staying true to yourself and what you believe in! Keep shining bright!
Warm wishes for the New Year
Let's bid farewell to old heartaches and tough days, Let us all learn from our mistakes, The year 2020 has come to an end, The year 2021 awaits.
Let the old year go,
Welcome the new one in, Bury the bad days of the past, For a new year now begins.
May your New Year wishes this year be simple and sweet, Pray for peace and love, Pray for health and happiness, Pray for the ones you love and those who've lost their way.
As the clock strikes twelve midnight, Let us all bid farewell to the old and embrace the new, May your wishes be fulfilled this year, And may God's loving blessings always be with you.
Best wishes from all of us at MWAW
Fun Facts (Book Authors)
Fun Fact #1
Did you know that novels by the late English novelist, Jane Austen were published anonymously? Born in 1775 in Hampshire, England, Jane lived in a period where women were expected to be wives and mothers and nothing more. The sad truth of her day was that women of her time were dependent on marriage for financial security and good social standing.
Where the field of writing was concerned, it was a male-dominated field and it was not considered "lady-like" for a woman to try her hand at writing. So, it is completely understandable that she wanted to publish her novels anonymously.
The author of her first novel, Sense and Sensibility was simply "A Lady". She wasn't named the author of her novels until after her death.
Fun Fact #2
The late English best-selling children's author, Enid Blyton wrote her books on a typewriter perched on her lap. It is said that she had never planned her stories in advance, allowing her vivid imagination to take her from the beginning of a book to the final scene. Not only that, she could also write up to 10,000 words per day!
Fun Fact #3
Did you know that Carolyn Keene was actually a pseudonym for the authors of the Nancy Drew Mystery series? The first was the late Mildred Augustine Wirt Benson, an American journalist. She wrote some of the earliest Nancy Drew mysteries and created the detective's adventurous personality.
Fun Fact #4
Did you know that the author of Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë was advised to give up writing because of her gender? From an early age, Charlotte and her sisters loved writing and she went to the very top to get an opinion on her work.
At the age of 16, she sent some of her work to the then poet laureate, Robert Southey. He replied that whilst she had ‘the faculty of verse’, she should give up her dreams, because ‘literature cannot be the business of a woman’s life: & it ought not to be.’
As strange as it may seem, Charlotte seemed elated at this reply, writing ‘I must thank you for the kind, and wise advice you have condescended to give me... I trust I shall never more feel ambitious to see my name in print.’ Good on you Charlotte!
How much do we need to exercise on a daily basis?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a total of four to five million deaths a year could be averted if the global population was more physically active.
Estimates indicate that 27.5% of adults and 81% of adolescents currently do not meet the 2010 WHO recommendations, with almost no improvements seen during the past decade.
Inequalities have also been noted with women and girls being less active than their male counterparts in most countries. There are significant differences in levels of physical activity between higher and lower economic groups and between countries and regions as well. WHO’s new guidelines on staying fit and healthy through physical activity are broken down by age group and they highlight the associations between sedentary behaviour and health risks, as well as provide guidelines for pregnant and postpartum women and people living with chronic conditions or disability.
Let's dive deeper into it!
Children: Aged 5-17
According to the latest guidelines, children aged between 5-17 should do at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity per day. This includes aerobic activities as well as those that strengthen the muscles and bones.
Benefits: Improved physical fitness, cardiometabolic health (blood pressure, glucose and insulin resistance), bone health and better cognitive health, including academic performance and mental health.
The guidelines highlight the need to limit sedentary behaviour in children and adolescents, particularly around the amount of recreational screen time. High levels of inactivity are associated with poor fitness, lack of sleep and poorer cardiometabolic health.
Adults: Aged 18-64
Adults aged between 18-64 are advised do at least 3-5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or at least 75-150 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic activity every week. Muscle-strengthening exercises are also strongly recommended 2 or more days a week, as they can provide additional health benefits. The guidelines note that sedentary behaviour in adults can cause an overall increased likeliness of death and incidence of cardiovascular disease, cancer and type-2 diabetes. As for adults aged 65 and above, the recommendations are similar highlighting on the importance for the elderly to stay fit and healthy as well.
Pregnant and postpartum women
Physical activity before and after pregnancy can bring about positive effects to both mother and child. WHO recommends for pregnant/postpartum women to do at least 3 hours of moderate-intensity physical activity a week, including general stretching and muscle-building exercises as well.
By doing so, it can decrease the risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes, as well as decrease the chance of delivery complications, postpartum depression and newborn complications or risk of stillbirth.
Adults living with chronic conditions
The recommendations highlights the significance of physical activity for those with hypertension, type-2 diabetes and HIV, as well as those who have survived cancer. The weekly recommendation is the same as other adults: At least 3-5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or at least 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous intensity aerobic activity every week.
Those living with disabilities
Children: At least 60 minutes a day doing moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity, the majority of which should be aerobic with muscle strengthening exercises incorporated.
Adults: 3-5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity per week.
Benefits: Improved cognition, physical function, muscular strength and quality of life.
Keep fit, stay healthy!
Source: World Economic Forum
Self Care 101: New Year Edition
As we welcome the coming year, let us take a moment to reflect on the days of the past. Let us be thankful for all the good that happened in 2020 and for things that didn't turn out the way it should, let bygones be bygones. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought us lessons, both good and bad. It made us realise the importance of our own well-being especially our mental health.
It has become increasingly important now more than ever to take ourselves into consideration - to focus on our emotions, feelings and health. Let's care for ourselves more ad love ourselves for the better in 2021. Here are some self-care practice to try this new year.
Make time for your passions
Doing something we love improves our mood and health. Our hobbies bring us joy by helping us to unwind and relax. We tend to lose ourselves so much with work that we forget the importance of "switching off" for a while to unwind, relax or explore our passions.
Be more positive
No doubt the year 2020 has been tough on us but we can always remain positive for they say, the dark clouds would soon pass. Maintain a positive attitude and you can also note down the things you're thankful for in a notebook or journal. Believe me, this works wonders! You'll feel good too. Remind yourself to be more positive every day and soon my dear lady, you will.
Treat yourself
We all love a good pampering now don't we? Buy yourself that gorgeous dress you've been eyeing on, treat yourself to dinner at that restaurant you've been always wanting to try. Treating yourself doesn't even need to involve money - you could either indulge yourself in a good book, play a musical instrument or event paint. It's that simple, really - there's no right or wrong way to it.
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