Global Science Leader Ts. Dr. Mahaletchumy Arujanan to Headline SIWA 2026: Championing Women in Education and STEM

The South Asian International Women’s Assembly 2026 (SIWA 2026) has confirmed internationally acclaimed biotechnology pioneer and science communicator Ts. Dr. Mahaletchumy Arujanan as a Keynote Speaker and Moderator for Session 3: Women in Education and STEM.

The landmark assembly, scheduled for 17–19 November 2026 at the Riverside Majestic Hotel in Kuching, Sarawak, convenes influential women leaders, policymakers, and change-makers from across South and Southeast Asia. Session 3 will spotlight the systemic shifts required to dismantle barriers, cultivate female talent, and build gender-inclusive pipelines in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

A Trailblazer in Science Communication and Policy
With more than 26 years of leadership across academia, government, and global institutions, Dr. Mahaletchumy, widely known as Dr. Maha, stands as one of Asia’s most prominent advocates for science literacy, bioeconomy innovation, and ethical governance.

She serves as the Executive Director of the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC), Country Director for the World Agriculture Forum (WAF), and the founding Editor-in-Chief of The Petri Dish, Southeast Asia’s first science newspaper.

Her global footprint extends from advising the United Nations FAO on national biosafety communication frameworks to establishing the Science Communication Advisory Committee for COMSTECH across OIC member nations.

In Malaysia, her policy contributions include serving on the Board of the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT) and contributing to the National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation (2021–2030), National Vaccine Development Roadmap, White paper on Agile Biosafety Regulations, and National Technology Sovereignty Framework.

Her transformative work has garnered significant international recognition, including being named among the 100 Most Influential People in Biotechnology in the World by Scientific American Worldview and listed in the honorific register of Women in Biotechnology Law and Regulation.

Advancing Gender Equity Across Education and Research
Dr. Maha’s appointment to helm the assembly’s focus on Women in Education and STEM directly mirrors her career-long dedication to grassroots talent development and structural equity.

Among her landmark educational contributions:

• UNESCO Curriculum Development: Authored Module 6 of the Resource Pack for Gender-Responsive STEM Education for UNESCO, creating actionable frameworks to dismantle institutional gender biases in science classrooms.
• Institutional Empowerment: Serves on the Women Technologist Chapter under MBOT, the Women Chapter of the Mustafa Science & Technology Foundation, and previously on the executive board of the Organisation for Women in Science for Developing Countries (OWSD).
• Grassroots STEM Literacy: Spearheaded initiatives such as Ariviyal Ainthiram under MITRA to elevate STEM education in vernacular schools, while partnering with the British Council on scholarship outreach for Women in Science.
• Future-Proofing Youth: Designed and directed talent development modules, including the K-Youth Programme and bioentrepreneurship accelerators, preparing hundreds of young graduates to transition from classrooms to high-value industrial careers.

Leading Session 3 at SIWA 2026
At SIWA 2026, Session 3 will move beyond conventional dialogue to address the urgent need for pedagogical innovation, research funding access, and retention of women in critical technologies.

As Keynote Speaker and Moderator, Dr. Maha will unpack the intersections of policy, education, and mentorship, offering delegates a roadmap on how regional institutions can foster supportive ecosystems for women scientists and innovators. Her session will challenge delegates to reimagine STEM education as a central engine for socio-economic mobility, national resilience, and sustainable development.

For registration and delegate details, visit www.sarawakindianwomen.com or contact the Secretariat at swkindianwomen@gmail.com.