Reaching for The Stars

RSOG Leadership in Action

Reaching for The Stars  

 with

Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Mazlan Othman

 
When : 14 April 2018
Where : Razak School of Government
Speaker : Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Mazlan Othman
  Framework of the Session

Our fascination for the celestial has always been prevalent, manifesting into popular culture, transposed in the cinemas, and harmonised in songs. Perhaps the energy and luminosity of the stars makes them synonymous with glory and success. At home, some 60 years ago, a girl by the name of Mazlan Othman had her eyes set on the stars. While initially forced into science in school, she discovered physics, fell in love with it, and the rest is history. What has the journey been like for her? What are the lessons learned and her wishes for the future? These are some of the potential focus areas that the Guest Speaker will discuss in this programme.

  Key Takeaways from the Session

“We know what we are, but know not what we may be”. Given the context of the modern-day living, one may think that one knows a lot until more discoveries happen.  The Guest Speaker held the audience spellbound throughout the RSOG Leadership in Action series entitled “Reaching for the Stars”, summed up as follows.

Whilst it is always convenient to laud that change is such and such, steering a series of change in life, especially those which are unplanned, can be a daunting experience. Spending your teenage life competitively in a prominent school could have drained one’s energy considerably from the onset. The limit was stretched following an offer to further studies thousands of miles away in a field which was little known to many back home.  After some years abroad, it was changed again – an academic career in a newly formed institution.  The romance with academia was cut short after a request was made to lead the country into the world of outer space.  A huge shift from research into management and administration paved the way to new heights with the calling to lead a multi-million-dollar venture in satellites for the country.  The peak in administration came about when the project to send the first countryman to space took off. It drew a huge amount of attention, interest as well as cynicism. This was followed by another long way from home experience following mandatory retirement, a relatively longer duration at a multi-lateral level.  “Hujan emas di negeri orang, hujan batu di negeri sendiri, lebih baik negeri sendiri” – to be back home to pursue personal passions in the golden years have always been a dream for many.  Perhaps, the first test is one’s ability to adapt to change that could make or break oneself in his or her endeavour.

 

This leads to the second point on what could generally help one to have such level of adaptability?  Clarity or knowing what one wants seems to facilitate the ability to adapt.  In the case of the Guest Speaker, her reach for the stars from the beginning is all about the country or “us” rather than a personal agenda.  As and when change comes along, the immediate question has always been what is good for the country and how to move us forward?

 

In addition to clarity, courage and appetite for risk is observed to be important in reaching for the stars.  Given that most part of the journey is less travelled, one requires considerable amount of nerve, at ease with ambiguity, and daring to stomach calculated risks in making breakthroughs or quantum leaps.

 

On the other hand, there are other factors to consider in reaching for the stars.  This is where persuasion and influencing skills comes in handy. Others need continuous assurance about the journey.  Cynics and sceptics need to be managed tactfully.  Since no one knows everything under the sun, seeking help from others is a wise thing to do.  One should surround oneself with people who have expertise, knowledge, and wisdom.  Maybe consider having a sponsor or mentor in life as a sounding board.

 

Equally important, if not more so in reaching for the stars is passion.  As profoundly acknowledged by Albert Einstein, he had no special talents but was passionately curious.  It is passion that keeps one going and filled with meaning and excitement. It is also passion that drives one to try tirelessly and hardly be intimidated by challenges.

 

Based on the foregoing, reaching for the stars is not a journey for the ordinary.  It may be worth a try for the prodigious one.  Be that as it may, one must be unique to reach for the stars.  It surely goes beyond talent and mind.  It requires a wholesome package that comes from within oneself but put the interests of others above all.

  Key Issues Raised
  • Whilst there is no compelling evidence to support the idea of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), there is the extra-terrestrial life which is categorically referred to as lower organism such as the bacteria.
 
  • The deeper the journey into astrophysics makes one naturally closer to God. The journey showcases the might of God.  The night journey or Isra Mikraj is a great example of how diverse this universe created by God is.
 
  • The first Malaysian satellite project, namely TiungSAT opened a lot of opportunities for local talents to be involved in space technology. The larger idea of the Angkawasan project was to rally the nation behind a cause and spur interest in space technology to the masses especially the young.
 
  • Unlike previously, the neo space era is apparently led by wealthy individuals or corporations. Given the benefits to be derived from space technology, Malaysia should creatively find ways to ride on opportunities where possible.
 
  • Malaysia’s future venture into space technology should support other related national policies and agendas such as defence, maritime, and environment. There must be value creation from such an investment.
 
  • As argued by the Theory of Relativity, time travel is possible. However, the more important question is the direction of the travel – to the future or the past?
    About the  Guest Speaker

Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr. Mazlan Othman is presently the Director of the International Council for Science Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.  Malaysia’s first astrophysicist, she has a history of working in the advancement of science and a distinguished career which includes Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and founding Director General of the Malaysian National Space Agency.  She studied Physics at the University of Otago on a Colombo Plan Scholarship where she also later took her Ph.D in Astrophysics. Upon her return, she taught astronomy and astrophysics at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

  Contact To get more information on this event, you can contact us via email at programmes@rsog.com.my