Dato’ Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor FASc

Kakitangan Akademik

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Dato’ Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor FASc is no ordinary individual; he's Malaysia's very first astronaut, and his journey to the stars is a tale of adventure and inspiration. In 2007, he embarked on a remarkable voyage to the International Space Station, hitching a ride aboard Soyuz TMA-11 as part of the prestigious Angkasawan programme. His return to Earth, however, marked the beginning of a new mission –one dedicated to fostering a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) amongst young minds, particularly school children and youth.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor's experiences as Malaysia's sole astronaut hold immense significance for the nation. His compelling story serves as a beacon, guiding countless aspiring scientists and explorers on their own path towards the stars.

In recognition of his contributions, 2022 saw him honored as an Adjunct Professor at Manipal International University (MIU) and bestowed with an Honorary Master of Medical Science title by the University of Cyberjaya.

But his journey doesn't end there. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor is not just an astronaut and surgeon; he's also an accomplished author. His books on parenting have made waves, with an astonishing 70,000 copies pre-ordered within a mere seven days of their release.

Driven by an unwavering passion for STEM, he's become a vocal advocate for innovative teaching techniques, encouraging educators, especially teachers and schools, to inspire students to embrace and excel in the sciences. His tireless efforts extend to schools across the nation, where he actively engages with students, sharing his wisdom and igniting their curiosity about the limitless possibilities of STEM.

Dato’ Sia Hok Kiang FASc is a distinguished figure in the world of geology and mining, focusing on tin and rare earth elements. His expertise lies in Economic Geology, with an emphasis on Advanced Materials. Currently, his research is centred on rare earth concentrate (REC), precipitation, and rare earth (RE) separation techniques, poised to revolutionise Malaysia's midstream RE industry.

In the past, his research ventured into environmentally friendly alternatives for in-situ mining of non-radioactive rare earth elements (NR-REE). This pioneering work led to the filing of a patent in April 2020. Additionally, he holds two other patents related to the processing of ionic clay hosted rare earth elements (IAC-REE) and has established an R&D company to commercialise these patented inventions.

Dato’ Sia is a globally recognised authority in Rare Earth Elements (REE) Separation technology, an expertise previously dominated by China. His breakthroughs in separation technology encompass not only Light REE but also the coveted Heavy REE, in high demand across various international applications.

Beyond his academic prowess, Dato’ Sia is a trusted consultant for government bodies and scientific communities, thanks to his knowledge of Malaysia's mineral resources and development history. He advocates for sustainable REE mining and prioritising local value addition in the downstream RE industries. His counsel was pivotal in the recent decision by the KeTSA minister to permit only the export of semi- or finished products of NR-REE, signaling a strategic shift.

Dato’ Sia's leadership extends when he chairs and manages several companies in Malaysia and Australia. Notably, his guidance led to the successful rehabilitation of the dormant Mt. Cuthbert Copper Mine in Queensland, Australia, into a productive venture within just 15 months. In Malaysia, his transformative impact turned the once stagnant Sungai Lembing into a thriving mining town, now renowned as a centre of geo-tourism.

His contributions also extended to ASM where he was crucial in shaping the "Sustainable Mining: Rare Earth Industries (2019)" Position Paper and the ongoing development of the "Business Model for the development of the NR-REE industry in Malaysia."