The MIMOS Quantum Leadership Awards 2026 recognised individuals whose leadership and contributions strengthened the foundations of Malaysia’s emerging quantum ecosystem. Spanning financial services, industry and technology, quantum science and security, semiconductors and the digital future, the awards highlighted the multidisciplinary expertise needed to build national quantum capability, support responsible adoption and move Malaysia from quantum readiness towards quantum advantage.
1. Financial Ecosystem Award
Awarded to: YB Senator Dato’ Seri Prof. Dr. Noor Inayah binti Ya’akub, Senator elected by the state of Pulau Pinang for the 2026-2029 term
Recognising her leadership in Islamic finance, banking law, Shariah governance and higher education, the MIMOS Quantum Leadership Award in Financial Ecosystem was presented to YB Senator Dato’ Seri Prof. Dr. Noor Inayah binti Ya’akub. Her contributions strengthened institutional trust, ethical stewardship and financial governance, supporting Malaysia’s readiness to navigate emerging challenges in financial security, risk and innovation as quantum technologies evolved. She is the founder of Neuro Ethics & Mind Guard Ethical Intelligence Sdn Bhd for AI & Quantum Governance from Neurolaw perspective.
2. Industry and Technology Award
Awarded to: YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir, Chairman of Dagang NeXchange Berhad & SilTerra Malaysia Sdn Bhd; Board Member, Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (CREST)
For his leadership across Malaysia’s semiconductor and technology ecosystem, YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir received the MIMOS Quantum Leadership Award in Industry and Technology. Through his leadership at DNeX and SilTerra, he strengthened semiconductor manufacturing, technology investment and digital infrastructure, contributing to the industrial capabilities and foundations needed to support future quantum innovation.
3. Quantum Science and Security Award
Awarded to: Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Mohamed Ridza Wahiddin, FASc
Pioneering contributions to quantum optics, quantum cryptography and cybersecurity earned Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Mohamed Ridza Wahiddin, FASc, the MIMOS Quantum Leadership Award in Quantum Science and Security. During his leadership at MIMOS, he led the team that realised ASEAN’s first quantum cryptography network, advanced the organisation’s engagement in international quantum cryptography standards and established a strong foundation for Malaysia’s quantum-secure capabilities.
4. Semiconductor Ecosystem Award
Awarded to: YBhg. Dato’ Dr Mohd Sofi bin Osman, prominent Malaysian corporate leader, semiconductor industry veteran, and MIMOS Senior Fellow
With extensive leadership across the global semiconductor industry, industry collaboration and engineering talent development, YBhg. Dato’ Dr Mohd Sofi bin Osman received the MIMOS Quantum Leadership Award in Semiconductor Ecosystem. His contributions strengthened Malaysia’s engineering capabilities and industry-academia linkages, supporting the advanced devices, control electronics and specialised talent required for the practical deployment of emerging quantum technologies.
