Ms. Tengku Sharizad Tengku Dahlan assumed the position as the Director of the International Science, Technology, and Innovation Centre (ISTIC) under the auspices of UNESCO in June 2020. ISTIC is UNESCO Category 2 Centre that functions as an international platform for South-South cooperation in science, technology, and innovation (STI). She has 20 years of experience in international relation, R&D and technology management and institutional governance, with a primary focus on science and technology industry.
She holds a BSc in Microbiology from the Flinders University of South Australia. Before joining ISTIC she was attached to the Academy of Sciences Malaysia where she headed the STI Strategic Initiatives and Partnership Division. Prior to this, she served in the International Science Council Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ISC ROAP) for eight years, responsible for developing and implementing its regional strategy and programmes, with a special focus on areas like Urban Health and Wellbeing, Disaster Risk Reduction, Science Policy and Inter-Regional collaborations.
Tengku Shahrizad has held various significant positions in corporate organizations, contributing to their growth and strategic direction. With a strong background in finance, she has been involved in overseeing financial operations, risk management, and ensuring sound financial practices within the organizations she has served.