Dr Ahmad Hata Appointed New Vice-chancellor

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit has been appointed the university’s new vice-chancellor effective Jan 8.

The Higher Education Ministry (KPT), in a statement, said the appointment for a term of three years until January 7, 2027, is to replace UNIMAS’ sixth vice-chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir presented the appointment letter to Ahmad  Hata today. 

KPT said Dr Ahmad Hata, with his extensive experience in university administration, is capable of making the university more accessible to the people and by contributing to Sarawak's development through strategic cooperation with state and federal governments.

The ministry is also confident that Dr Ahmad Hata can enhance UNIMAS' excellence in three key areas: preserving biodiversity and the environment, information technology, communication, and creativity as well as sustaining community transformation.

Dr Ahmad Hata, 54, is a graduate of Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine from the National University of Malaysia (UKM) before pursuing a Master of Surgery (Orthopedics) at the same university.

In addition to his experience as the deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International) of UNIMAS, he also served as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the university for seven years from 2012.

Meanwhile, the ministry also expressed its highest appreciation and gratitude to Mohamad Kadim for his dedicated service in UNIMAS.

Mohamad Kadim was appointed as UNIMAS vice-chancellor in April 2013 before being reappointed to the position for a one-year term effective Dec 15 last year.

-- BERNAMA