Interview with Professor Dato’ Dr Aileen Tan Shau Hwai

Aileen Tan is the Director of Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) in Universiti Sains Malaysia; Fellow of Academy Science Malaysia; Executive Director of the Asia-Pacific University-Community Engagement Network (APUCEN) and Vice Chair of UNESCO IOC of Western Pacific. She is also a Board member of Partnership for Observations of the Global Oceans (POGO). She serves as international steering committee in several organisations such as CoastPredict, Global Ocean Oxygen Network (Go2NE), The Ocean Science Fund for All, Global Ocean Corps, Marine Life 2030, Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON), IOC Ocean Best Practices System (OBPS), Global Partnership on Plastic and Marine Litter; and EquiSea.

A pioneer in the area of green aquaculture in Malaysia, she has been a champion of mollusc culture for the last 35 years. Her work with molluse culture, which is centred on providing an alternative livelihood for coastal communities, is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 1) of reducing poverty while aiming to stimulate actions to promote prosperity and protecting the planet to achieve sustainable development (in line with Blue Economy).
Aileen Tan has been elected as the first and only woman President of the 62-years old UNITAS Malacologica, which is based in Belgium, from 2013-2016. In 2020, she has been awarded the Top Research Scientist Award in Malaysia (TRSM) for her expertise in "Mariculture and Marine Ecology, Biodiversity & Conservation". She is the Best Women Scientist for her work in guiding the women-folks in Johore Islands in earning their own income through the giant clam conservation programme. She has initiated several Malaysia Book of Records for her contribution in molluscan studies.

She believes strongly in translating her knowledge and benefitting the communities with research findings, creating a better tomorrow for all, and looking after Mother Earth if possible.

What inspired you to pursue your career?
I have been a marine scientist since 1989. It was a very unpopular career path back then. I got offer to study in a public university in Malaysia. It was a take it or leave it offer. There were only five public universities then. The campus is in Borneo. I would have had to start working immediately if I hadn’t taken the offer, due to my parents’ situation. I originally wanted to be medical doctor, but took up what was put on the table, and said to myself, this is the option I’m choosing and I have to do my best and work from the bottom of my heart.

Tell us more about your current research/ expertise.
Now there is a lot of talk of oceans compared to 35 years ago. I am a strong believer of knowledge should not just stay in the ivory towers or research institutions BUT to be put into practical usage, creating impacts to the public ie. Government, industries and the communities. My work involves translating science into solutions and actions, and how to help underprivileged communities.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in your career?
Thirty years ago there was no women’s day or gender equality. When you’re in a field dominated by men, you have to be as good or even better. I didn’t know how to swim but I was required to dive to continue my career in marine science, I had to carry a diving tank and I’m small-sized, I was diving when I was seven months pregnant because I was completing my PhD, of course with calculated risk. I was still hopping in and out of the boat to the marine centre up till 9 months of pregnancy and I went straight to the delivery room after completing my PhD viva.

Once I had to choose between an expedition and breastfeeding my second child. I negotiated with the expedition leader and we got a special freezer to keep milk during the expedition. I am also a strong believer of “If there is a will, there will aways be a way”. I think that the issues around having kids while being very passionate about work is something that men wouldn’t understand.

On the other hand, I think that women scientists are able to communicate better than men, to explain things better in layman terms, and have more patience.

I was once denied a promotion in my career because I did not want to patent the technology I had developed, because I wanted to share it with the underprivileged community. Deciding values and priorities is a challenge we must always face.

Tell us about a memorable moment or achievement from your career.
When I delivered my professor talk, the whole community was there to celebrate this important event for me, because I had made an impact in their lives. I felt very appreciated, and the community had expressed thanks openly to the crowd. This was on the 20th of February, 2020. It felt like they were my family, even though the gesture was small, relationships had developed.

I also groomed oyster farmers in coastal communities, using frugal innovation. Now they have become social entrepreneurs and there are groups of them around Malaysia.

How can we encourage more young women to pursue careers in science?
Issues women are facing - so much more attention now compared to before, ECOP. do we need special attention? maybe not so much in Malaysia. must reflect. younger generation confused. balance for the sake of balance
There are much more opportunities and attention now for women, especially young women. I personally feel what is more important for these young generations is to instil is gratefulness and having the sense of contributing to the society and environment, creating values and excellence with souls.

What impact you hope to make in your field?
I want to create clean and sustainable aqua culture, educate the community and get everyone involved. Many times, when we talk about poverty, what comes into our mind is always dollars and cents; but to me poverty can also be without opportunities or skills. I hope science can be implemented into solutions and actions and to provide more opportunities and skills to all. Focus on using science to impact lives.

What is your advice to other women aspiring to pursue careers in science?
Balance you work and personal life
If you have passion, you won’t feel it’s a burden
If you’re entering a new field, be willing to learn new things
Do everything with all your heart or don’t start
Opportunities are there. Don’t take them for granted.
Work from the heart.
There are many uncertainties in this era, do things right from the beginning. When we are doing the right thing (not the easy or popular thing), we would not be wrong.
Things are more difficult now - don’t just be a job seeker, be a job creator too. Give the younger generation opportunities to be social entrepreneurs. Sometimes they fail to think outside the box. Be a changemaker rather than follow what is offered