Associate Professor Gan Wee Chen receives the National Academic Award at the ceremony in Subang Jaya. [Photo/en.xmu.edu.cn]
Associate Professor Gan Wee Chen from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) was awarded the 2025 Anugerah Akademik Negara (AAN) which means the 2025 National Academic Award, in the Journal Paper Publication – Science Category.
The ceremony took place on Oct 25, in Subang Jaya. Dr. Gan Wee Chen is the first recipient from a private higher education institution to receive this honor in the scientific publication category.
Established in 2006 by Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education, the AAN is among the nation's most prestigious academic accolades. It recognizes scholars who demonstrate exceptional achievements in teaching, research, and innovation, highlighting the pivotal role of universities in advancing Malaysia's academic and societal development.
Illustration of the innovative face mask developed by Dr. Gan Wee Chen's team. [Photo/en.xmu.edu.cn]
Associate Professor Gan Wee Chen specializes in the functional properties of soft materials, including ferroelectric, piezoelectric, triboelectric, and composite materials. Notably, his team developed an innovative protective face mask that neutralizes pathogens on contact.
Related research has been published in internationally recognized journals such as Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Nano Energy, and Advanced Functional Materials.
From left: Associate Professor Tan Swee Tiam, Sim Moh Terng, and Associate Professor Gan Wee Chen. [Photo/en.xmu.edu.cn]
Dr. Gan Wee Chen expressed gratitude to his collaborators, including Associate Professor Tan Swee Tiam and postgraduate Sim Moh Terng, for their substantial contributions.
He emphasized his commitment to fostering students' curiosity, resilience, and academic integrity, stating that nurturing independent thinking and ethical scholarship remains central to his work.
