Taylor’s man to head UiTM

PETALING JAYA: Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Hassan Said (pic) is now the ninth vice-chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).

In a statement issued yesterday, the Higher Edu­ca­tion Minis­try said the appointment would come into effect on Feb 1, 2016.

Dr Hassan, 60, takes over from Tan Sri Prof Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar, whose term as UiTM vice-chancellor ends on Dec 31.

Prior to his appointment, Dr Hassan was the vice-chancellor and president of Taylor’s University, as well as the former director-general of Higher Edu­cation from January 2005 until April 2008.

Dr Hassan started his career as a Mathematics lecturer at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 1984.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Manchester (1979), masters of science from Brunel University, Britain (1981) and a doctorate degree from Brunel (1984), specialising in Computer-Aided Geometric Design.

Dr Hassan also played a key role in the establishment of the National Higher Education Research Institute (IPPRN).

The ministry also thanked Dr Sahol for his service as UiTM vice-chancellor since Jan 1, 2010.

“He had contributed much to the development and progress of UiTM as an institution of higher learning which is noted in the country as well as overseas, and also for the success of the bumiputra,” the statement said.

In a separate statement, the UiTM Malaysia Alumni Association congratulated Dr Hassan on his appointment.

The new vice-chancellor’s vast experience would enable him to lead the university to greater heights, said alumni president Datuk Mohd Zaini Hassan.