Recipient Of Princess Maha Chakri Award Aims To Inspire Educators

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- A primary school teacher from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, is inspired to continuously encourage Malaysian educators to expand their knowledge and create more project-based learning innovations that would enhance student’s interests, focus and skills.

Saifulnizan Che Ismail, 41, the 2023 Princess Maha Chakri Award (PMCA) recipient for Malaysia and currently teaching at Sekolah Kebangsaan Raja Bahar in Kelantan, said he is determined to contribute to the community, as well as promoting values and ethics while fostering empathy and understanding through his innovation majoring in Mathematical solution.

“With this award, I am inspired to contribute more to the community with innovations I have created so far. 

“I am delighted to share more insights on organised projects related to global issues that I personally believe will indirectly attract and raise student’s awareness and connect them to the global community as well,” he told Bernama when met at the Thai embassy here, Wednesday.

Saifulnizan, who has taught for 14 years, will be awarded in the upcoming biennial award which is scheduled on Oct 17 in Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok.

The father of four is the fifth Malaysian recipient of the award, which is given to teachers from 10 Southeast Asian countries and Timor-Leste who have also devoted themselves to helping students through remarkable dedication and active participation with the society.

Previously, Saifulnizan’s dedication and innovative teaching methods have been recognised with numerous local and international awards, such as the Innovator Champion Award 2021, Information, Technology and Communication Teacher Icon 2020, SEAMEO QITEP Teaching & Learning Models Competition in 2019 and McDonald’s Inspire Teacher Award 2016.

On the same note, the PMCA Foundation’s Manager, Dr Benjalug Namfa, said the award recognises the value of teachers and enables them to play an active role in the educational development in each country. 

“Giving the award is always the beginning of a journey of more sharing, expertise and knowledge that will benefit not just the individual country, but also across the region with the innovations that the recipient has created.

“We will conduct a series of seminars and workshops for all recipients to utilise the provided platforms and explore possibilities for future collaborations in related sectors,” she added. 

The international award was set up in 2015 to recognise Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s life-long contribution towards education, both at the national and international level.

-- BERNAMA