A Malaysian teacher has been named the global winner of the 2022 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards - beating 7,000 other nominations from 113 countries.

As the winner, Khalifa Affnan, from the Keningau Vocational College in Sabah will receive class sets of books and digital resources of choice by Cambridge University Press, a professional development package, and be featured on the front of every new Cambridge University Press Education textbook from February 2023 onwards.

According to a statement by the Cambridge University Press yesterday, this is the first time a Malaysian teacher has been chosen as a winner for the awards on both global and regional levels. Khaliffa was first shortlisted as one of the regional winners from the Australia, New Zealand and the South-East Asian region, before going on to ace the global level.

For the record, the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards is a global competition organized by the Cambridge University Press to recognize and celebrate the efforts of educators around the world.

"Khalifa won the 2022 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards for his achievement in initiating a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) project where he trains students in robotics, drones, coding, and other technology-based disciplines.

"His effort has increased the active participation of female students and special needs learners in STEM activities," the statement added, reported The Star.

Asean Cambridge University Press director Kanjna Paranthaman described Khalifa's win as a momentous milestone for educators in Malaysia, and one that spoke volumes about the quality of teachers in the country.

Speaking after his win, Khalifa said that he was inspired to be an educator by his late grandfather who was a language teacher.

Kudos Khaliffa, an extremely impressive achievement indeed. Let's hope this win will sput you to achieve greater heights in the future, and create more skilled educators like you in the future.


Source & Photo source: The Star, Malay Mail