PENANG: Women have dual roles as mothers and career women, and for this reason they should find the balance to advance and succeed in their chosen professions, especially in science.
Calling on the younger generation of women to take up careers in science, world-renowned astrophysicist Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman said: “One of the reasons women dropped out of the science field was to fulfill their role as mothers.”
“In respecting nature, you have to recognise that women have to do this.[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3,5″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]
“At a certain point in their career, they’re going to have to step back,” said Mazlan.
“It is the woman who has to find the balance,” she added.
Mazlan said this in her keynote address at the recent three-day WiZ2017 event which was organised by Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) together with Tech Dome Penang to mark International Women’s Day.
This year, the theme for International Women’s Day, which is celebrated every March 8, is ‘Be Bold for Change’.
More than 500 students from more than ten schools in Penang took part in the event.
The participants were challenged to be “game changers” and boost the number of local women in the science arena.
A special panel discussion with students on “Succeeding in your Career” was moderated by Datin Rohana Weiler, PWDC Director and former Vice President of Asia Pacific Human Resources, Agilent.
Rohana tapped on her extensive experience in Human Resource when discussing what employers look out for during interviews with potential candidates.
Dr Beth Yam Wei Yin, Principal Engineer, Assembly & Finish Engineering Department Manager,
Intel spoke about the importance of time management while Dr Foong Swee Yeok, Senior Lecturer in Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia shared her research about mangrove swamps and corresponding policy successes in Penang.
The L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Fellowship Programme displayed photographs of women scientists in Malaysia who won the awards in recent years, seeking to inspire young scientists present.
Featured award winners included Dr Ruslinda A. Rahim from Universiti Malaysia Perlis for her research in developing a portable device for early detection of HIV-1 disease and Dr Chuah Lee Siang from Universiti Sains Malaysia for her research to further increase the efficiency of LED lighting.
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