UKM Appoints First Woman Deputy Vice-chancellor For Academic Affairs

PUTRAJAYA, June 12 (Bernama) -- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Institute of Islam Hadhari director Prof Datuk Dr Fariza Md Sham, has been appointed new deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International Affairs), making her the first woman to hold the position in the university's history.

In a statement today, UKM said her appointment, effective June 15, 2026, is for a two-year term, succeeding Prof Dr Abdul Halim Abdul Gafor, whose tenure has ended.

UKM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Sufian Jusoh said Fariza’s appointment is expected to strengthen academic ties and strategic collaborations between the university and international institutions.

“Prof Dr Fariza’s appointment will help strengthen ties with overseas institutions through strategic partnerships and academic networks, while further enhancing the quality of the university’s internationalisation efforts.

“It is also in line with UKM’s aspiration to achieve world-class educational standards and expand its internationalisation agenda,” he said.

Fariza is a prominent academic in the fields of Youth Dakwah Psychology and Islamic Psychology and is regarded as one of the pioneers in both disciplines.

In recognition of her scholarly contributions and academic excellence, she was named a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, further strengthening her standing as a reference expert in Islamic Studies, Islamic Civilisation, Dakwah and Islamic Psychology at both the national and international levels.

Her expertise has also received international recognition through her appointment as Uzbekistan’s education ambassador to Malaysia. She has additionally served in several international academic roles, including as a visiting professor at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Islamic University, Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan and the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage in Uzbekistan.

Fariza earned a Bachelor of Islamic Studies (Dakwah and Leadership) in 1994 and a master's degree in the same field in 1997 from UKM, before obtaining a PhD in Dakwah and Human Development from Universiti Malaya.

-- BERNAMA