Kota Kinabalu: National Entrepreneurship Institute (Insken) Chief Executive Officer Viviantie Sarjuni has been awarded the Public Social Innovator of the Year 2026 by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.
The award, presented in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF), was conferred in conjunction with the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Advertisement
Viviantie was recognised for her leadership in advancing entrepreneurship, social enterprises and sustainable economic development in Malaysia.
The award honours public sector leaders who apply innovative approaches to address social challenges while delivering long-term impact.
She was selected for her efforts in supporting micro, rural and social enterprises through policy-driven and capacity-building initiatives.
Viviantie currently serves as Insken Chief Executive Officer, an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives.
She previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (Scenic).
During her tenure at Scenic, she played a key role in strengthening Sabah’s technology, innovation and creative economy ecosystem.
Since its establishment in 1998, the Schwab Foundation has supported more than 500 high-impact social innovators across over 190 countries.
The Public Social Innovator of the Year Award 2026 is the first award of its kind introduced by the foundation.
“Being the first Malaysian recipient of this award is both humbling and a responsibility to continue driving systemic change for micro, rural and social enterprises.
“This recognition is not only a personal honour but also a validation of the work that Insken has been doing to empower entrepreneurs and social enterprises across Malaysia,” she said.
Viviantie is attending the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos from Jan 16 to 25 to receive the award and participate in related engagements.
As an awardee, she will join the Schwab Foundation’s global community. Members of this community are integrated into WEF meetings and initiatives, actively participating in peer-topeer exchanges with leaders in social and environmental change, and engaging with top leaders from business, government, civil society and media for a three-year period.
These global opportunities will enable Insken to bring international insights and best practices back to Malaysia and the wider region, strengthening support for micro, rural, and social enterprises, while fostering cross-border collaboration across public, private and academic sectors.
