PETALING JAYA: Former Multimedia University (MMU) president Prof Datuk Dr Ghauth Jasmon has been appointed Universiti Malaya (UM) vice-chancellor effective today. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said he was convinced that Prof Ghauth was the “right vice-chancellor for the university at the present time”.
“This is because he was formerly from UM and has experience leading a private university,” he said when contacted in Britain. Mohamed Khaled said he hoped Prof Ghauth would be able to continue to strengthen and shape UM into a world class university. Prof Ghauth replaces Datuk Rafiah Salim whose contract has expired.
Rafiah, the first woman to head a public university, was initially appointed in May 2006. Her tenure was extended for another six months from May this year. Higher Education Department director-general Prof Datuk Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi said the appointment of Prof Ghauth was based on an independent search committee and believed that he could further transform the university.
When contacted in Indonesia, Prof Ghauth said he was honoured and thankful for his appointment and that he would begin his duties next Tuesday. “I can’t wait to start work to get UM back into the top class again,” he said, adding that he retired from MMU at the end of last year after serving as president for 11 years.
He then took over as Unity College International chief executive officer in January this year. Unity College International board of governors chairman Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Sham Sani congratulated Prof Ghauth stating that the appointment was too big an opportunity for him to turn down.
(taken from The Star Online, 8th November 2008)
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