As we celebrate Woman’s Day tomorrow, the 8th of March 2025, three outstanding academicians from Taylor’s University have made great strides in their respective fields. Their impactful journeys inspire future generations to dream bigger and never give up.
Shaping Cities with a Woman’s Perspective: Associate Professor Dr Camelia Kusumo
Inspired by her personal interest in the country’s public space, Associate Professor Dr Camelia Kusumo co-authored a book about Kaki Lima. “As an architect and academician, we started producing the book by writing some theories and drawing formal and informal activities that took place in Kaki Lima. Then I realised that a space without a soul is empty. So, inspired by the book ‘Humans of New York’ by Brandon Stanton, we decided to interview the people utilising the Kaki Lima,” she enthuses.
Published in 2023 and heading for its third print, the book captures the essence of life along Kuala Lumpur’s iconic five-foot ways through 31 real-life stories, offering readers a glimpse into the diversity and vibrancy of the city. The project took a further notch when she and her team collaborated with Goh Choon Ean, a board game designer, to develop a ‘Kaki Lima Downtown KL’ board game based on the book, launched in August 2024. Till date, it has been showcased at various board game festivals in Asia including Singapore and Taiwan, and Europe, at the Spiel Essen Germany, the largest public fair for board games.
An advocate on community engagement, Dr Camelia led The Nest project together with academics and students from School of Architecture, Building and Design and School of Education. This initiative involved building in-house learning spaces for the underserved children at PPR Lembah Subang 2 and PPR Flat Taman Seri Berembang, Port Klang so children had a comfortable and conducive place to learn, study, and collaborate.
“Being part of this humbling initiative has shown me that as an architect, we can make an impact to other people’s life with our work. Even with a small improvement in quality of space, we have improved children’s active learning while creating a sense of belonging and an intangible space.”
A sustainability enthusiast and an urban designer, she believes women architects bring a unique perspective to city planning, prioritising safety, comfort, and accessibility. “Women tend to design from the inside-out, ensuring spaces accommodate diverse needs,” she shares.
Today, Dr Camelia urges young women to pursue careers in architecture confidently. “I hope that future generation of women in architecture and urban design will dare to dream. Have the confidence to take the step forward. Don’t be discouraged and always be confident in what you can offer as an individual.”
Redefining Education through Innovation: Puteri Sofia Binti Amirnuddin
Puteri Sofia Binti Amirnuddin’s efforts in integrating Augmented Reality (AR), Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and Gamification into law education as part of her quest in making learning transformative has earned her the President’s Award for Transformative Teaching and Learning from the institution. This honour makes her the first law lecturer in Taylor’s School of Law and Governance to receive such recognition.
“Being the first law lecturer back then to be honoured with such an accolade was a moment of immense pride. It signified my efforts to revolutionise how law is taught, making it more engaging, innovative and impactful for our students,” she said.
While her transition from law academia to Taylor’s Digital in 2023 has been both challenging and transformative, it is also one that reflects her commitment to driving innovation in higher education and creating impactful learning experiences. “This move, though a substantial sacrifice, aligned perfectly with my passion for digital education and offered an incredible opportunity to contribute to the university’s innovative approach to online learning. What excites me most is the potential to redefine what education looks like for professionals seeking flexible, high-quality options to upskill. We’re not just delivering content; we’re shaping the future of lifelong learning.”
As a woman navigating the intersection of technology and academia, Puteri Sofia has encountered her share of challenges. One of the biggest challenges she has faced is balancing the demand for professional excellence with societal expectations. “As much as I’ve embraced my roles with passion and determination, the occasional tug of traditional expectations has been a reality, reminding me that many women in similar positions face similar struggles.”
That said, those challenges have shaped her into a stronger, more determined professional. “They’ve reinforced my commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for the next generation of women in tech-academia. Together, we can break down barriers, redefine norms, and continue to make meaningful contributions to our fields.”
Revolutionising Cancer Treatment: Professor Dr Yeong Chai Hong
Professor Dr Yeong Chai Hong is making groundbreaking strides in medical physics. Her interest in nuclear medicine, particularly radionuclide therapy, reached its peak when she was part of the development of the Radioembolisation Samarium-153 Therapy (REST) prototype, designed to treat liver cancer and metastasis. This project earned her the prestigious International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) Young Scientist Award in Medical Physics in 2021, making her the first scientist from the Southeast Asian region to receive the award.
“Our ultimate goal is to provide this treatment as a more affordable, targeted, and effective alternative to conventional cancer therapies, thereby significantly improving both the survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients in our country and region.” She draws inspiration from the potential that nuclear medicine holds to directly improve patient outcomes through targeted therapies that minimise side effects. “By specialising in radionuclide therapy and medical imaging, I’ve seen firsthand how these technologies can significantly improve the prognosis for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.
As a woman in a predominantly male field, Professor Dr Yeong has had her fair share of challenges. That said, she’s learned to overcome those obstacles by demonstrating the value of her work and establishing her expertise through results. “Throughout my career, I’ve remained focused on delivering high-quality work and ensuring that my contributions speak for themselves. Over time, I’ve earned the respect of my colleagues, and these challenges have only strengthened my resolve to advocate for greater diversity and inclusion in our field.”
Passionate on mentoring, she encourages young women to take risks and pursue opportunities, even if they seem daunting. “Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo, seek out mentors, and stay true to your passion. Science and medicine need diverse perspectives, and you can make an incredible impact. I always quote scientist Marie Curie that “In science, we must be interested in things, not in persons.”
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate these extraordinary women who remind us that empowerment is about creating lasting change. Their contributions pave the way for future generations to thrive, inspiring women to rise, lead, and transform the world.
