KUALA LUMPUR: Professor Dr. Stefanie Shamila Pillai, FASc, from the Department of English, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, University of Malaya (UM), has been named the recipient of the prestigious UM Academic Figure Award.

The honour was conferred during the University of Malaya Outstanding Award (ACUM) ceremony, presented by Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.

Professor Dr. Stefanie is widely recognised for her groundbreaking work in documenting and preserving the endangered Melaka Portuguese Language. She is the first Malaysian to successfully archive this heritage language in the Endangered Languages Archive, under the Endangered Languages Documentation Programme.

Her efforts have significantly contributed to both academic research and community-based initiatives. These include the development of a mobile dictionary and various collaborative knowledge-sharing projects aimed at preserving the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Melaka Portuguese-speaking community.

The award recognises her outstanding contributions to Malaysian English studies and heritage language preservation, particularly her dedication to documenting endangered languages in the country.

In his address at the award ceremony, UM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman, emphasised that the Outstanding Award represents the university’s highest recognition of academic excellence.

“This ceremony is UM’s utmost expression of appreciation for members who have shown exemplary achievements. Their individual and collective successes enhance the University of Malaya’s standing at the global level,” he said.

Professor Noor Azuan highlighted several key milestones achieved by the university in 2024, including a 42% increase in research grant receipts, amounting to RM163.37 million. The university also recorded 4,325 publications, marking a 15% rise compared to the previous year.

He further noted that UM now houses five research centres with Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) status. Among them is NANOCAT, which is internationally recognised for its contributions to nanotechnology.

Additionally, the university’s medical centre, PPUM, has set a new benchmark in surgical innovation through the use of da Vinci Xi robotic surgery technology—enhancing treatment precision and training across eight surgical disciplines.

“UM is not only a research university but a strategic leader in offering impactful solutions for the nation and the world,” he added.

“Today’s award recipients, including Professor Dr. Stefanie, are key contributors to this vision, embodying courage, perseverance, and aspiration that define the excellence we celebrate.”

The ceremony marks yet another milestone in UM’s journey towards global academic distinction, with Professor Dr. Stefanie’s achievement shining as a beacon of dedication to linguistic heritage and scholarly excellence.

The University of Malaya Outstanding Award (ACUM) is an annual award held to recognise outstanding staff of the University of Malaya and also to corporate bodies to acknowledge and appreciate their contributions to the University of Malaya.

He said each award recipient underwent a rigorous and holistic evaluation process, assessing not only work performance and integrity, but also long-term impact and alignment with UM’s core values and strategic aspirations.

Those selected exemplify excellence and embody the spirit of innovation and change, serving as role models within the university community.

The recognition of individual and collective achievements also enhances UM’s reputation on the global stage. UM academics and researchers continue to shine internationally, earning prestigious accolades such as the National Academic Figure Award, National Academic Award, and Fulbright Scholarships.

Many have also secured key appointments in regional and international organisations, underscoring UM’s growing influence in global academic and research networks.

UM’s active participation in international collaborations and its ongoing commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have further cemented its status as a globally respected institution.

“The 14th ACUM ceremony not only celebrated past accomplishments but also reaffirmed UM’s dedication to fostering a culture of excellence and global engagement,” he said.

The year 2025 marks the 13th year of organising the University of Malaya Outstanding Award. In line with the theme of the University of Malaya Outstanding Award “Creating Excellence”.

Among the other award categories are Innovative Alternative Assessment, Excellent Teaching, Best Academic Administrator, Outstanding Young Researcher, Research Figure, Corporate Partner, Outstanding Partner and many more.

Professor Dr. Stefanie is a Professor in the Department of English, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics with expertise in Malaysian variant English (BI) and heritage language preservation.

She has contributed significantly to both fields. She is the first Malaysian to document and archive an endangered language in Malaysia, namely Melaka Portuguese, in the Endangered Languages Archive (Endangered Languages Documentation Programme).

Professor Stefanie’s contributions span across her fields of expertise, where she also contributes her expertise and research skills as a panel member of the Centre for Excellence Programmes, which includes the HICoE and KKP programmes.

This appointment, and recognition of her research excellence, knowledge sharing with communities and stakeholders, and capacity building, reflects her impactful contributions to research excellence and understanding of linguistic diversity and language preservation.

Her research and documentation of these languages has not only contributed to academic publications and intellectual property.

Instead, she has collaborated with representatives of the “Fall down seven times, get up eight” (Japanese proverb) language community in several knowledge-sharing projects for language preservation including the development of dictionaries in the form of mobile device applications.