Unimas VC earns reappointment

PROF Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi (pic) had been reappointed the vice chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) for a year effective from Dec 15 last year.

This is the third time he had been appointed to the post – he first served as the varsity’s sixth vice chancellor for over seven years from April 2013 to October 2020, before being reappointed for a two-year term from Dec 15, 2020, to Dec 14 last year. In a media statement on Dec 17, the Higher Education Ministry said Prof Mohamad Kadim has extensive administrative experience, leadership qualities and strategic thinking that can bridge the gap in the higher education ecosystem, especially in Sarawak.

It added that he had demonstrated the ability to form a network of harmonious working relationships with all stakeholders, especially the state government.

The ministry expressed confidence that through his reappointment, Prof Mohamad Kadim will be able to continue the planning that had been made for Unimas in strengthening and improving the governance of the higher education sector based on knowledge and innovation.

Prof Mohamad Kadim, 62, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in applied physics and electronics before pursuing his master of science in solid state physics at Portsmouth University, and doctorate in optoelectronics at Loughborough University of Technology – both in the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement on Dec 20, the ministry said Prof Dr Haim Hilman Abdullah’s term of service as the ninth vice chancellor of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) had been shortened effective from Jan 18.

The ministry recorded the highest appreciation and thanks to Prof Haim Hilman for his service and leadership.

Prof Haim Hilman, 49, was the varsity’s deputy vice chancellor (Research and Innovation) before taking over from Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Bashawir Abdul Ghani as the vice chancellor on Jan 17 last year.

He graduated with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration from Portsmouth University, and holds a doctorate in strategic management from Universiti Putra Malaysia.