KUALA LUMPUR: Two Sarawakian professionals were among 20 finalists recognised at the Study UK Alumni Awards Malaysia 2026 for translating their UK education into meaningful impact across culture and community health.
According to a press release from British Council Malaysia, Sarawak-born filmmaker, Sarah Lois Dorai, and Kuching native, Dr Paul Cliff Simon Divis, were shortlisted for their work in elevating indigenous narratives and strengthening community-based malaria prevention respectively.
As a finalist in the Culture, Creativity and Sport category, Sarah gained recognition for championing Sarawak’s Kelabit identity through film and literature aimed at younger audiences.
Her music videos ‘Midang Midang’ and ‘Warrior Spirit’ explore contemporary expressions of indigenous culture, while her bilingual Kelabit-English children’s book series promotes language preservation through storytelling.
Her recent documentary ‘Songs of the Highlands’ was selected for screening at the 45th Hawaii International Film Festival and won ‘Best Documentary’ at the Kalimantan International Film Festival 2025, underscoring growing regional and international interest in indigenous-led narratives.
“In the UK, I was able to gain direct access to industry practitioners which is crucial to enriching my film-making experience,” said Sarah, who is also a part-time lecturer at Multimedia University, adding that such exposure influenced how she now prepares students for professional creative work.
Meanwhile, Dr Paul was recognised for applying scientific training gained in the UK to community health initiatives in Sarawak.
His work led to the development of the ‘HapusMalaria’ programme in the Kapit Division, one of the state’s malaria-endemic areas, using gamified learning, storytelling and culturally grounded activities to strengthen awareness and prevention.
The programme has engaged Iban longhouse communities and has since expanded to reach remote Penan settlements, emphasising community ownership of malaria control.
A key component involves empowering women as household and neighbourhood health advisers, recognising their central role in sustaining preventive practices.
The initiative received support from the Ministry of Finance Malaysia and the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Sustainability Centre.
“Each of the shortlisted alumni shows what is possible when education, purpose and opportunity align,” said British Council Malaysia’s Director, Jazreel Goh, noting that their achievements reflect both personal excellence and wider social impact.
British High Commissioner to Malaysia, HE Ajay Sharma CMG, said the awards highlight the role of UK education in nurturing leaders and changemakers, while strengthening long-standing people-to-people ties between Malaysia and the United Kingdom.
Now in its seventh edition, the Study UK Alumni Awards Malaysia also recognised category winners, including Dr Rebecca Tay Sook Hui (Business and Innovation), Dr Hor Chee Peng (Science and Sustainability), Matthew Tan Yi Jian (Culture, Creativity and Sport) and Tan Shi Min (Social Action).
Over 1,000 applications were received for the 2026 edition, with 20 finalists shortlisted across four categories, reflecting the growing reach and influence of UK alumni contributing to Malaysia’s social, cultural and development landscape.
