PROF. DR MOHD FO'AD SAKDAN BEGINS DUTY AS THE TENTH UUM VICE-CHANCELLOR

UUM ONLINE: Newly elected Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Mohd Fo'ad Sakdan officially started his duties at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) on Sunday.

His arrival at the foyer of the Sultan Sallehuddin Chancellery Building at 7.45 a.m. was greeted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Dr Shahimi Mohtar; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dr Russayani Ismail and members of the University Management Committee.

He was then taken to scan the time recorder card, which marked the beginning of his responsibilities as Vice-Chancellor. Next, a prayer was said, which was led by the Director of the UUM Islamic Centre, Ustaz Zar Ei Zakaria. After that, Prof. Dr Foad was shown around the UUM Gallery, and then he was given a briefing about the university in the Vice-Chancellor’s Meeting Room.

Prof. Dr Mohd Fo'ad (centre) with members of the University Management Committee when visiting the University Gallery after scanning the time recorder marking the start of his duties as UUM Vice-Chancellor.

Prof. Dr Mohd Fo'ad was appointed as the tenth UUM Vice-Chancellor effective from 2 April 2023 where he received the letter of appointment from the Minister of Higher Education, Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin at the Ministry of Higher Education, Putrajaya.

Exemplifying the Malay proverb "bagaikan sirih pulang ke gagang" (returning to one's former place ), Prof. Dr. Mohd Fo'ad first served UUM in 1989, where he held the position of Dean of Student Development from 2001 to 2002 and Director of the Research and Innovation Centre from 2007 to 2013. He then spent the next decade serving as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP).

It is anticipated that his return to UUM, with his wealth of experience in higher education administration and his well-liked and respected personality, will help propel UUM towards its goal of becoming the eminent management university focused on academic excellence and student development.