PETALING JAYA: Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said that he would meet with former Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman soon to seek further clarification about his resignation from the varsity on Sunday (Feb 2).
“I confirm that he has submitted his (resignation) letter. I received his resignation letter a few days ago.
“Anyway, I will meet with him later for more information,” he said when asked to clarify Prof Mohd Ekhwan’s message to the university’s management, where he thanked them for the slander and accusations made against him, which have already led to police and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) reports being filed, according to a report from a news portal on Monday (Feb 3).
"He has informed me that he wants to focus on other matters, so in that spirit, I will meet him later," he told reporters at the Malaysia-Uzbekistan higher education forum and exhibition at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Tanjong Malim, Perak on Tuesday (Feb 4).
When asked about the replacement process for the position, Zambry said that the appointment of the next UKM vice-chancellor would follow the existing selection process and expressed gratitude to Prof Mohd Ekhwan for his excellent leadership of the institution.
"He is a good vice-chancellor, respected by his peers, but we respect his decision to resign," he added.
In a Facebook post published on Monday (Feb 3), UKM announced Prof Mohd Ekhwan’s resignation and expressed gratitude for his service and contributions during his tenure.
A news portal reported on Monday (Feb 3) that Prof Mohd Ekhwan expressed his gratitude to Zambry in a message to the university’s management for entrusting him with the leadership of UKM alongside the senior management team.
"I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Minister of Higher Education for giving me the opportunity to lead UKM to this point. I also pray that UKM continues to excel in the future," he said.
In the same message, he also extended his apologies to the university for any shortcomings during his tenure.
"I apologise to all key management, senior management, and the UKM community for any mistakes and shortcomings during my leadership of this university.
"Thank you for all the slander and accusations that have been made, for which police reports and (reports to the) MCMC have already been filed.
"Alhamdulillah. I hereby withdraw from all official university WhatsApp groups," he said without providing further details.
Prof Mohd Ekhwan was first appointed to the position on Jan 1 in 2021, until Dec 31 in 2023, before his term was extended.
Prof Mohd Ekhwan, 56, graduated from UKM in 1992 (General Degree) and 1993 (Honors Degree) in Geography (Physical), from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.
He went on to earn a master's degree from the University of Manchester and a PhD from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK, in Environmental Hydrology Modeling, Geographic Information Systems, and Water Resource Management.
He has served as deputy director-general (Academic and Development) at the Department of Higher Education, Higher Education Ministry, and held other administrative and academic roles, such as deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) at UKM and deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Development) at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA).