Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Profile Picture

Keynote SpeakerSheikh Muszaphar Shukor

Orthopaedic Surgeon and The First Malaysian Astronaut

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, Malaysian orthopedic surgeon who became the first Malaysian to go into space. Dr. Sheikh was selected from 11,435 candidates at the beginning of 2006 for the Malaysian Angkasawan spaceflight program. He came on-board the International Space Station via a Russian Soyuz vehicle with the international Expedition 16... Read more

Biography

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, Malaysian orthopedic surgeon who became the first Malaysian to go into space. Dr. Sheikh was selected from 11,435 candidates at the beginning of 2006 for the Malaysian Angkasawan spaceflight program. He came on-board the International Space Station via a Russian Soyuz vehicle with the international Expedition 16 crew.

Sheikh earned a degree in medicine and surgery at Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, India. He also earned an advanced degree in orthopedic surgery at University Kebangsaan, Kuala Lumpur, Malay., and became an orthopedist at University Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital. He was selected in 2006 from among 11,000 applicants to enter the Malaysian spaceflight program, Angkasawan. Angkasawan was the product of a Malaysian-Russian agreement in which Malaysia purchased 18 Russian fighter jets and Russia arranged to train and fly a Malaysian cosmonaut on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Sheikh became a national celebrity as the Malaysian press followed the preparations for his 10-day journey. On Oct. 10, 2007, Sheikh was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the ISS on Soyuz TMA-11 with commander Yury Malenchenko of Russia and flight engineer Peggy Whitson of the United States. He faced the challenge of becoming the first Muslim to observe Ramadan in space.

To assist him with the difficulty of performing daily rites on a ship that orbited Earth 16 times every 24 hours, the Malaysian government assembled 150 clerics and scientists who produced a booklet titled Guidelines for Performing Islamic Rites at the International Space Station. While aboard the space station, Sheikh performed experiments on-board the International Space Station (ISS) relating to the characteristics and growth of liver cancer and leukemia cells, studying the crystallization of various proteins and microbes in the weightlessness of space. He recorded video and addresses it to schoolchildren. He returned to Earth on board Soyuz TMA-10 on October 21.

On an international front, Sheikh Muszapahar’s motivational talks have recently been heard in California, USA, Jakarta and Bandung, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Saudi Arabia , Jordan and Holland. He is an Ambassador to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, U.N. Ambassador for Global Peace, and recipient of the Shurah Islamic Council, California Peace Award among many other distinctions.

Popular Talks by Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor

  • Motivation
  • Space
  • Adventure

How to book Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor as a keynote speaker

How do I book Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor for a keynote speech?

You can book Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Sheikh's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor's speaking fees?

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Sheikh tailored to your event.

What topics does Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor speak about?

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Sheikh to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor for events worldwide, subject to Sheikh's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor?

Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Sheikh can accommodate.

Can Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Sheikh can offer.

What languages does Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor present in?

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor delivers keynotes in English. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of Sheikh's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.

What kind of events can Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor speak at?

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of Sheikh's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.

Does Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Sheikh's current availability for your dates.