Kuala lumpur: Yayasan Tuanku Fauziah (YTF) has launched the Women in Technology Awards 2026, a national initiative to recognise outstanding Malaysian women whose leadership, innovation, and technological achievements are helping shape the nation's future.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, nominations will open from Aug 10 to Sept 5, with both self-nominations and third-party nominations accepted from individuals in industry, academia, government, startups, research institutions, and other technology-driven sectors. The awards comprise two categories. The Senior Women in Technology Award offers a cash prize of RM30,000 and a certificate to honour professionals with at least 20 years of experience who have made significant contributions to technology-related fields. The Junior Women in Technology Award carries a cash prize of RM15,000 and a certificate, recognising emerging researchers, academics, technologists, and innovators aged 35 and below, or those with less than 10 years of professional experience.
The awards seek to celebrate exceptional Malaysian women whose contributions have significantly advanced science, technology, and innovation (STI), while inspiring greater participation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and encouraging future generations of innovators and leaders. YTF said the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) is the technical partner for the awards. It said the initiative combines YTF's longstanding commitment to empowering women since its establishment in 2004 with MIGHT's expertise in technology foresight, innovation, and ecosystem development, in line with YTF's motto, Women in Search of Excellence (WiSE).
Eligible nominations will be assessed based on professional achievements, technological expertise, innovation, leadership, national and societal impact, contributions to advancing women in technology, community engagement, and overall contributions to Malaysia's innovation ecosystem. The winners will be honoured at the YTF Gala Dinner on Oct 17. Nominations can be submitted through the official awards portal at https://might.org.my/women-in-technology-awards/.
This awards programme underscores YTF's commitment to fostering greater inclusivity, innovation, and global competitiveness among women in science, technology, and innovation, while celebrating role models whose achievements will inspire the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology leaders in Malaysia. Meanwhile, MIGHT president and chief executive officer Rushdi Abdul Rahim said the awards build on the insights and aspirations shared by women through MIGHT's recently launched Futures According to Women report.
Through Futures According to Women, we heard directly from women about the future they want to see-one where technology, innovation, and leadership create opportunities for a more inclusive and resilient Malaysia. The Women in Technology Awards celebrate women who are already turning those aspirations into reality. By recognising their achievements, we hope to inspire more women and girls to participate in science, technology, and innovation, and help shape Malaysia's future.