Have you been a volunteer? Have you ever wondered: Why are there so many volunteers? What is it that keeps them going? 

In conjunction with the World Evidence-Based Healthcare Day (World EBHC Day) 2025 on 20th October, Cochrane Malaysia has asked their volunteer translators and editors: 

• What motivates them to translate for Cochrane Malaysia?
• How has translating for Cochrane Malaysia affected their decision making or practice in healthcare?

Let’s learn what some of Cochrane Malaysia’s volunteers who have been translating between less than 6 months up to about 10 years told us.

What motivates volunteers to translate for Cochrane Malaysia?

1. Reward and Recognition

The most mentioned by the volunteers was that the rewards and recognition motivates them to volunteer for Cochrane Malaysia. 

• Recognition: On the Plain Language Summaries (PLS) and press releases, the names of the volunteer translators and editors would be shown under the translation notes at the end of the PLS.
• Cochrane membership: Volunteers are given a Cochrane membership for free that gives them access to exclusive workshops and courses.
• Reward: If volunteers translate a large amount of PLS, they are awarded a Certificate of Recognition for Malay Translations in Cochrane Malaysia’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution of Volunteer Translators and Editors to the Malay Translation Project that is conducted annually. Learn more about Cochrane Malaysia’s Certificate of Recognition for Malay Translations here.

“This effort has given me automatic Cochrane membership; I have received the All-Time Gold Translator Award from Cochrane as a recognition of contribution.” Professor Dr Noorliza Mastura Ismail, volunteer translator for about 10 years

2. Contribute to the Society 

Many volunteers have said that sharing knowledge to the public, contributing back to the society and increasing accessibility motivates them to translate.

“My main motivation to join Cochrane Malaysia and continue as a BM translator since 2020 is to utilize my knowledge and expertise to contribute back to society.” Mr. Syed M Amirfaiz Syed Ali, volunteer translator for 5 years

“Knowing that every article we translate helps make EBM more accessible to the general public, is probably the greatest satisfaction one can obtain from this endeavor.” Dr. Nathanael Lee, volunteer translator for 7 years

One of the volunteers also shared a personal experience that led her to volunteer for Cochrane Malaysia and is motivated to contribute back.

“That’s when I found Cochrane. Their review on the MMR vaccine gave me the clarity I needed - balanced and based on solid evidence. It helped me make an informed decision during a time of uncertainty. Since then, I’ve always seen Cochrane Reviews as the gold standard in health information. Years later, when I had the opportunity to become a Cochrane translator, I saw it as a small way to give back. I wanted to help others feel the same sense of reassurance I felt. I knew how powerful it was to have access to reliable information, especially in your own language. Everyone deserves that access. It’s something I believe in deeply, and I’m proud to be part of that effort.” Assoc Prof. Dr. Salizawati Muhamad Salhimi, volunteer translator for 4 years

3. Love for a Challenge

Bahasa Malaysia and English differ in many ways, including the grammar, word use and structure. (Article) These can pose as a challenge in translation, especially for healthcare-related information. However, many volunteers said that they enjoy that challenging translating process. 

“I enjoy the challenge of using appropriate Malay words while retaining the meaning to present the study findings in a way that is easier for the general audience to understand.” Dr Zuraidah binti Che’Man, volunteer translator for 1 year

“I get thrilled with every translation challenge, knowing that the more I translate, the better I become.” Dr Kuan Pei Xuan, volunteer translator for more than 2 years

4. Personal Development

Additionally, many volunteers stated that what motivates them is the personal development that they gain, including: 

• Enhance/gain knowledge
• Develop transferable skills
• Improve linguistic skills and knowledge
• Help with decision making.
• Sharpen academic writing skills.
• Enhance the ability to design effective health promotional material.
• Foster innovation in research.
• Help become a better communicator.
• Deepen awareness of the importance of clear communication aside from content.
• Mindful about how information is presented, especially how well it can be understood and used by others. 

5. Others

There are some other motivations for the volunteers:

• Love for the language: Some volunteers remarked that their love for Bahasa Malaysia motivates them to translate. 

“My deep love for language with years of research and clinical experience drive me to contribute actively to translation efforts.” Dr. Kuan Pei Xuan, volunteer translator for more than 2 years 

“I like translating and editing PLS to Bahasa Malaysia because it is my mother tongue & find it very easy.” Professor Dr Noorliza Mastura Ismail, volunteer translator for about 10 years

• Interest and Enjoy the process: Some volunteers stated that translating is their interest in addition to the translation process being enjoyable, satisfying and fulfilling, easy and interesting.
• Career boost: One of the volunteers replied that translating for Cochrane Malaysia has supported their advancement in career.
• Connect to Malaysian roots: One volunteer stated that as someone who has lived abroad almost all her adult life, translating for Cochrane Malaysia acts as a platform for her to connect to her Malaysian roots.
• Network with like-minded people: Another volunteer mentioned that she was able to network with like-minded people through translating for Cochrane Malaysia. 

Thoughts

Although there is a total of 5,015 PLS translated to Malay up to today, there are up to 1 million page views for our translated PLS each year. This shows the importance of our translation work. 

Cochrane Malaysia is very grateful to the eight volunteers who have contributed their thoughts and experiences for this blog, as well as all volunteer translators and editors who have been supporting Cochrane Malaysia in many ways over the years! We look forward to continue improving and working with everyone! 

Quoting Dr Aishah Ibrahim, volunteer translator for 4 years, 

“A journey of personal growth and a sense of belonging with Cochrane Malaysia – excited for what lies ahead!”

Tell us/share with us what motivates you to volunteer on our Facebook/Instagram!

All volunteers have given consent for the use of their names in this blog.