KENINGAU:Keningau Vocational College (KV Keningau) English teacher Dr Sirhajwan Idek, 35, has been awarded the State Education Department Special Adiguru Icon Award for his contributions in the education field at both local and international levels.
He received the award from Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor during the School Management Appreciation Ceremony at Magellan Sutera Harbour in Kota Kinabalu, recently.,
The ceremony, organised by the State Education Department, aimed to appreciate teachers for their achievements in various fields.
Dr Sirhajwan, who is also KV Keningau’s Head of Research and Innovation, has received various local, regional and global awards and recognition. He was named a national teacher icon in 2017 and a charismatic national youth icon in 2022.
Among his global awards were the Simon Greenall Award 2021, YSEALI Seed for the Future 2020, ISTE Literacy Innovation Award 2019, SEAMEO-Australia Education Link Award 2018, International Innovation & Entrepreneurship Excellence in Teaching Award 2017 and Macmillan Teacher at My Heart 2016.
“Since 2016, I have guided a total of 700 students and nearly 100 teachers in my school to present their projects at research conferences and innovation competitions online and face-to-face in the country and abroad.
“Many of my students have successfully won various medals, prizes and grants, including grants amounting to RM20,000, RM10,000 and RM8,000 from the Pitchborneo, Shell LiveWIRE and Pitchbah competitions,” he said.
He thanked the State Education Department for the special award and the management and students of Keningau Vocational College for their cooperation and support in his and the college’s success.
Also present were State Education Department Director Raisin Saidin, district education officers, principals and headmasters as well as teachers.