BRINGING national higher education to greater heights has been at the heart of Prof Tan Sri Dr Ghauth Jasmon’s career.
In recognition of his lifelong dedication to scholarship, institution-building, and the advancement of higher education in Malaysia, Multimedia University (MMU) recently awarded its founding president the title of Emeritus Professor.
The varsity’s highest academic honour, the title is reserved for retired academics of the highest distinction whose careers have left a profound and lasting impact on their university and field, according to an MMU press release.
Prof Ghauth served as the varsity’s founding president from 1996 to 2007, entrusted by Telekom Malaysia Berhad with establishing the nation’s first private university.
Under his leadership, MMU achieved financial self-sustainability within three years and grew into a community of more than 22,000 students, setting a benchmark for academic innovation and industry collaboration.
During his tenure, he pioneered programmes in information technology, multimedia and digital technologies, and championed English as the medium of instruction to ensure the university’s global competitiveness. He also forged strategic, multi-million-ringgit partnerships with global technology leaders, creating a pipeline of industry-ready graduates for the digital economy.
Prof Ghauth further demonstrated his commitment to national education by serving as the 10th vice-chancellor at Universiti Malaya from 2008 to 2013, where he implemented reforms to elevate academic standards and reinforce the institution’s global standing, showcasing a consistent philosophy of pushing universities “to the next level”.
Describing Prof Ghauth as the perfect first recipient, MMU president Prof Datuk Dr Mazliham Mohd Su’ud said the conferment was “a moment of profound significance for our university community and a recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of higher education”.
“Tan Sri Ghauth is not just a former leader; he is the architect of MMU’s very foundation for it to become an artificial intelligence-driven university. His visionary courage, unwavering principles and dedication to excellence are the bedrock upon which our success was built, and his legacy continues to inspire our mission daily,” he said.
Prof Ghauth expressed deep gratitude for the honour.
“I feel their sincere appreciation for me, considering this is the first time they have given this award. Thank you very much, MMU,” he said.
The conferment took place during the second session of the varsity’s 26th convocation ceremony in Cyberjaya on Dec 7.
The ceremony, held from Dec 6 to 8, celebrated 4,187 graduates from the Class of 2025. It also saw the installation of former chief justice of Malaysia Tun Richard Malanjum as pro-chancellor and the conferment of an honorary doctorate upon Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din.
