THE Ministry of Education has announced the appointment of new vice-chancellors for Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP).
Former UMP deputy vice-chancellor (academic and international affairs) Professor Dr Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff has been assigned the role of the varsity’s new vice-chancellor for the next three years, effective May 16.
He is the fourth vice-chancellor of UMP, taking over from Professor Datuk Sri Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim whose 11-year tenure in the role ended on May 15.
In his Press statement, Wan Azhar thanked Daing Nasir for the opportunity to learn many things and be entrusted with various portfolios while under his leadership at UMP.
Wan Azhar said the experience and knowledge gained will be the source of strength for him to fulfil his obligations as vice-chancellor.
Hailing from Pasir Putih, Kelantan, Wan Azhar, 52,holdsaBachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan University Ann Arbor, US (1990), Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, US (1992) and Doctor of Philosophy (Advanced Manufacturing Technology) from Universiti Sains Malaysia (2004).
He served as a lecturer at the Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at UMP since 2004 before becoming the dean for five years from 2012. He was appointed director of UMP Centre for Academic Innovation and Competitiveness from 2011 to 2013.
With Wan Azhar’s appointment as vice-chancellor, UMP hopes to continue to drive the empowerment of Technical Education and Vocational Training in the country with an innovative academic curriculum supported by competent and professional staff, and a more efficient academic infrastructure that is industry- and community-oriented.
Meanwhile, former deputy vice-chancellor of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (research and innovation) Professor Dr R. Badlishah Ahmad, 49, was named vice-chancellor of UniMAP effective May 15, replacing Datuk Professor Dr Zul Azhar Zahid Jamal who held the post from May 1, 2016 till May 14, 2019.
His appointment is a homecoming of sorts as he was one of the first employees to join UniMAP as dean of its School of Computer and Communication Engineering.
R. Badlishah is the third vice-chancellor of UniMAP and he will serve for the next three years.
From Kajang, Selangor, R. Badlishah has a Bachelor’s Degree in Electric and Electronics Engineering from the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom (1994); Master of Science in Optical Electronics from the University of Strathclyde, UK (1995) and a PhD in Optical Network from the same university (1999).
Zul Azhar congratulated R. Badlishah on his appointment and called on UniMAP employees to continue to provide support and cooperation to the new vice-chancellor to ensure that a culture of excellence continue at the university.
“I’m also confident his background in computer engineering will be of great benefit to the UniMAP 2025 Strategic Plan which is largely based on technology and computer networks,“ he said.
The Education Ministry hopes that R. Badlishah’s appointment will help UniMAP achieve its mission to become the top technical university in the country.