Prof Aini stays on as UPM V-C

UPM Vice -Chancellor Prof. Datin Paduka Dr. Aini Ideris reply to Star at the QS World University ranking press conferency by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh at the Ministrys office in Putrajaya on June 8 2017.ROHAIZAT MD DARUS/STAR

PROF Datin Paduka Dr Aini Ideris (pic) has been reappointed Universiti Putra Malaysia vice-chancellor for a period of two years, effective Jan 1 next year to Dec 31, 2019.

Her original term was to have ended on Dec 31 this year.

She received her reappointment letter from Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh recently.

Prof Aini thanked Idris for entrusting her to head UPM for another two years.

“This appointment is a big responsibility for me. I hope to continue with my duties to ensure the university becomes well-known globally,” she said in a statement.

Prof Aini was first appointed to the role in January 2016.

Several of her achievements during her tenure include UPM being ranked 229th in the QS World University Rankings 2017/2018 as well as the second best university nationwide and improving its position over four years consecutively.

Prof Aini obtained her degree in Veterinary Science in 1979 from the then Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (now known as Universiti Putra Malaysia).

She served as a tutor at UPM before pursuing a Master’s in Veterinary Science at the University of Liverpool, England in 1981.

She was conferred a PhD by UPM in 1989 and later went on to do her postdoctoral training at the University of California, Davis in the United States.

Prof Aini has previously served as dean of the university’s School of Graduate Studies and deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International Affairs).

She has been actively involved in research related to the control of poultry diseases and development of poultry vaccines.

Her research has led to the commercialisation of two poultry vaccines, namely Newcastle disease vaccine and tissue culture adapted fowl pox vaccine.

She was appointed as an Inaugural Member Hall of Honour at the World Veterinary Poultry Association in recognition of her achievements and research related to the health of poultry and community leadership in a developing country.