Woman VC for UKM, too

Dr Sharifah Hapsah: She waspreviously the chief executiveat LAN

PETALING JAYA: Public universities will have another woman at the helm following the appointment of Datuk Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hassan Shahabudin as vice-chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. 

Her selection comes less than four months after Datuk Rafiah Salim made history when she was made Universiti Malaya VC on May 1. 

Dr Sharifah Hapsah, the chief executive of the National Accreditation Board (LAN), replaces Datuk Prof Mohd Salleh Mohd Yasin whose term of service expires on Aug 27.  

Prof Mohd Salleh, 55, will replace Dr Sharifah Hapsah at LAN on Aug 27. 

In a statement, the Higher Education Ministry said Dr Sharifah Hapsah was selected by a five-member search committee chaired by former Universiti Teknologi Malaysia vice-chancellor and science advisor to the Prime Minister Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Zaharudin Idrus.  

“Six candidates were identified, and based on the recommendations of the committee, Dr Sharifah Hapsah was chosen,” the Ministry said in a statement. 

She will be appointed to a two-year term. 

Dr Sharifah Hapsah graduated with a degree in Medicine from Universiti Malaya in 1973 and employed as a lecturer at UKM two years later. She also served as head of the medical studies department.  

Dr Sharifah Hapsah, 59, has held several positions at ministry level including director of the Quality Assurance Division and deputy director of the Higher Education Department.  

She is also president of the National Council of Women’s Organisations and was previously a frontrunner for the UM VC’s post.  

Dr Sharifah Hapsah said that the appointment came a surprise, but it “is a challenge I am willing to undertake.” 

She said she would will be leaving LAN with a heavy heart, and would apply all the principles and concepts she had learnt in quality assurance to her new position as UKM VC.  

“I was looking forward to establishing the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and have just completed the draft of the bill,” she added. 

When contacted, Prof Mohd Salleh, who is in Singapore on a working trip, said he had worked with Dr Sharifah Hapsah before and wished her well in her new position. 

“I am sure she will take UKM to greater heights. For my part, I am honoured with my new appointment,” said Prof Mohd Salleh, a medical mycologist who was appointed to the VC post in May 2003. 

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil congratulated Dr Sharifah Hapsah on her appointment.