KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Prof Dr Asma Ismail has been named the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) effective Oct 4 2016 until Oct 3 2019.
This makes her the first female vice-chancellor of USM - one of the country's most prestigious universities.
Previously, she was USM's first female Deputy Vice-Chancellor, first female Vice-Chancellor of University Islam Sains Malaysia (USIM) and first female Director General of Higher Education. She is also the first female Vice-Chancellor of two public universities.
Asma is a celebrated scientist, having received numerous awards all over the world. The selection process was rigorous and the Higher Education Ministry is confident in Asma's ability to bring USM to the next level and continue to contribute to nation building.
"While I leave with a heavy heart, it has indeed been an honour to serve the Ministry of Higher Education over the last two plus years. Having seen through the formulation and ongoing implementation of the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education), I truly believe our education system is on the right track. I thank the Minister, Deputy Minister and my colleagues at the Ministry for their support and hard work.
"I look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead in leading USM and promise to carry out the trust placed in me to the best of my abilities. I'll still be around albeit in a different capacity, and strongly believe that our education system will continue soaring upwards," said Asma in a statement.
Asma takes over from Datuk Prof. Dr Omar Osman who served as USM vice-chancellor for five years from 2011 to 2016.