CYBERJAYA, 21 January 2026 – Viviantie Sarjuni, Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN), has been honoured with the Public Social Innovator of the Year Award 2026 by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The award was presented during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

This award recognises outstanding public sector leaders—including legislators, policymakers, heads of government agencies, and leaders of international organisations—who leverage social innovation to create transformative impact. Viviantie was recognised for her visionary leadership in promoting entrepreneurship, social enterprises, and sustainable economic development in Malaysia.

Before leading INSKEN, Viviantie served as CEO of the Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC), where she played a pivotal role in strengthening Sabah’s technology, innovation, and creative economy ecosystem. Her work contributed to reducing regional economic disparities and fostering a more equitable national development landscape.

Since its inception in 1998, the Schwab Foundation has supported over 500 of the world’s most high-impact social innovators across more than 190 countries. The Public Social Innovator of the Year Award 2026 is the first of its kind, celebrating public leaders who develop innovative solutions to social challenges while encouraging collaboration between public and private sectors.

“I am deeply honoured to be the first Malaysian to receive the Schwab Foundation Public Social Innovator Award,” said Viviantie.

“This recognition is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the work INSKEN has undertaken to support micro, rural, and social enterprises. It reinforces our mission to serve as a bridge—connecting communities, the private sector, academia, and government to create meaningful and inclusive impact.”

Viviantie added that the award opens access to global networks and insights that INSKEN can adapt locally to strengthen social innovation, inform policy, and support the sustainable growth of Malaysia’s entrepreneurs.

Viviantie has been invited to attend the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos from 16–25 January 2026, where she will receive the award and engage in curated dialogues, workshops, and multilateral discussions with global leaders on social entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development.

As an awardee, Viviantie will join the Schwab Foundation’s global community of social innovators, participating in peer-to-peer exchanges with leaders driving social and environmental change.

Over the next three years, she will engage with top leaders from business, government, civil society, and the media, bringing international best practices back to Malaysia to enhance support for micro, rural, and social enterprises, while fostering cross-border collaboration across the public, private, and academic sectors.

About INSKEN

INSKEN is an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (KUSKOP) that provides capacity-building initiatives for entrepreneurs through training and coaching programmes. Guided by its tagline, “Membangun Usahawan MADANI” INSKEN aims to strengthen the businesses of resilient, sustainable, and competitive entrepreneurs while enhancing and consolidating the national entrepreneurship ecosystem.

For more information on INSKEN’s entrepreneurship training and coaching programmes, please visit the official website at www.insken.gov.my

Photo — ©2026 Jason Alden/World Economic Forum