BANGI: Universiti Malaya’s former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Professor Ir Dr Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor for Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
He will replace Professor Tan Sri Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali, whose appointment expires on Dec 31, this year.
Mohd Hamdi’s appointment will be for a period of three years from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021. He was a former Deputy VC in UM from 2011 until 2014.
Mohd Hamdi, 47, from Muar, Johor holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) Degree from the Imperial College, London, England; a Masters Degree in Advanced Manufacturing and Management Technology from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, UK; and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Kyoto University, Japan.
He is also a Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, UM.
His appointment was through a letter from the Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik in line with the provisions under Section 12 (1) of the Constitution of UKM.
University Board of Directors chairman Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar believed Mohd Hamdi’s excellent qualifications and extensive experience in administration would bring a new perspective and further improve the university’s performance ranking-wise, and in terms of human development, ability to market graduates, and reputation as a national university.
Congratulating Mohd Hamdi on his appointment, Abdul Wahid also expressed his appreciation for Noor Azlan’s leadership in UKM for four years.
“He has contributed significantly to UKM's success, including raising UKM’s ranking in the QS University World Ranking from 269 in 2013/2014 to 184 in 2018/2019,” he said.
Meanwhile, Noor Azlan congratulated and welcomed the appointment of Mohd Hamdi as the new Vice-Chancellor of UKM.
He called on all UKM staff to give their best support and cooperation to the new Vice-Chancellor.
"We pray that this new leadership will continue to bring UKM to greater heights in making UKM a respected university," he said.