By Asmahanim Amir
Photo by Ikhwan Hashim and Shahiddan Saidi

BANGI, December 3, 2018 – Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs), University of Malaya (UM), Prof Dr Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor, was appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) succeeding Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Noor Azlan Ghazali on his expiry of appointment on 31 December 2018.

Prof Dr Mohd Hamdi is appointed for three years from 1 January 2019 until 31 December 2021. He has been Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 2011 to 2014.

Prof Dr Ir Mohd Hamdi, 47, is from Muar, Johor Darul Takzim. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) Degree from the Imperial College, London, England; Master of Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Systems Management from University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, United Kingdom and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Kyoto University, Japan. He is also a Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, UM.

UKM Board of Directors, Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar congratulated Prof Ir Dr Mohd. Hamdi as the Vice-Chancellor of UKM.

“I believe that his excellent qualifications and extensive experience in the administration of the university will bring new perspectives to UKM and further improve the performance of UKM not only in ranking but also in the development of human capital, graduates and reputable graduates as a university national, ” he said.

Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar also expressed his appreciation to Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Noor Azlan for his leadership in UKM for four years.

“He has contributed greatly to the success of UKM. This included raising UKM rankings in the QS University World Ranking position from 269 in 2013/2014 to 184 in 2018/2019, ” he added.

Meanwhile, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Noor Azlan congratulated and welcomed the appointment of Prof. Dr. Mohd Hamdi as the new Vice-Chancellor of UKM.

“Let us all (UKM) give the best support and cooperation to the new Vice Chancellor because of the excellence of UKM is our mutual mission. We hope that this new leadership will continue to bring UKM’s excellence torch to greater heights in designing UKM as a respected university,” he said.

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Noor Azlan Ghazali and his management partners would ensure that the transition and continuity of the leadership could be implemented as well. He highlighted that “UKM is our university. We are all responsible for this university. Welcome to Bangi Prof Ir Dr Mohd. Hamdi. Let’s succeed this mission, ” he said.

Since the establishment of UKM 48 years ago, UKM was led by 11 Vice Chancellors, Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dato ‘Dr Mohd. Rashdan Baba (1969-1971), Datuk Dr Ariffin Ngah Marzuki (1971-1974), Prof Datuk Dr. Mohd Ghazali Haji Abd. Rahman (1974-1975) (Acting), Tan Sri Dr. Anuwar Mahmud (1975-1980), Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dato ‘Dr. Awang Had Salleh (1980-1984), Prof Tan Sri Dato ‘Dr Haji Abd Hamid Abd. Rahman (1984-1993), Prof Emeritus Dato ‘Dr Mohd. Sham Mohd. Sani (1993-1998), Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Datuk Dr Anuwar Ali (1998-2003), Prof Dato ‘Dr Mohd. Salleh Mohd Yasin (1 May 2003 – 27 August 2006), Prof Tan Sri Dr Sharifah Hapsah binti Syed Hasan Shahabudin (27 August 2006 – 31 December 2013) and Tan Sri Dato ‘Seri Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali (1 January 2014 – 31 December 2018).