KANGAR: The death of Perlis Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) deputy rector (Student Affairs) has been described as a great loss to the university especially its Sports Science and Recreation faculty.
Muhamad Fauzan Hassan, 53, was on vacation with his family when he suffered a heart attack and was pronounced dead at Kulai Hospital in Johor at 6am today.
He was survived by a wife and four children.
The university rector Zailuddin Ariffin extended his condolences and heartfelt sympathies to Fauzan's family.
"I have lost a colleague who carries out his duty earnestly while taking into account the best interest of the university and students.
"According to his wife, Fauzan suffered from beathing difficulties at 4am while they were in Senai, Johor. They rushed to the hospital and he was pronounced dead at 6am," he said.
A colleague who was close to the deceased described the latter as a friendly man who was active in sports and constantly contributed ideas for sports development.
Sports Science and Recreation head of faculty Ahmad Fikri Mohd Kassim said the deceased was also an Everest climber back in 1997.
"I felt something was wrong when I received a phone call from his wife using Fauzan's phone number. I was saddened when his wife told me about his passing.
"It felt so unreal and I am still struggling to come to terms with his death as I just saw his family photo on vacation on social media.
"I had known him since 2006. It feels like I have lost a brother," he said.
Zailuddin, Fikri and a number of colleagues were on their way separately to pay their last respects to Fauzan in Johor.