KLANG: Former Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) vice-chancellor Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Aini Ideris was named National Academic Figure at the 17th National Academic Awards ceremony.
The award was presented by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir with Dr Aini receiving a trophy, certificate and RM200,000 in prize money.
Dr Aini, 73, has contributed to avian medicine, animal biotechnology and vaccine development, including the development of the Newcastle disease vaccine (NDV4UPM) and a fowlpox vaccine, which have entered international markets.
She also made history as the first woman appointed UPM vice-chancellor, serving from 2016 to 2020, and previously received the 2010 National Academic Award in the Innovation and Product Commercialisation category.
