Honorary degree for deputy D-G
HIGHER Education Ministry deputy director-general Datin Paduka Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir has been conferred with an honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom.
“Being an engineer, I am deeply honoured to accept the honorary doctorate from the top engineering university in the world.
“I am humbled in joining the past recipients who have received similar awards from the university,” she said in her acceptance speech at a graduation ceremony on Monday.
She received the honorary degree from university pro-chancellor Dame Dr Gill Rider.
In the university’s citation, it mentioned Dr Siti Hamisah’s role at the ministry in the development of educational frameworks and policies for all public universities.
It said that Dr Siti Hamisah plays an integral role in spearheading a nationwide programme aimed at transforming public higher education policies.
She is also responsible for the management of research grants and ensuring the quality of teaching and learning in public universities.
University of Southampton pro vice-chancellor (International) Prof Mark Spearing said Dr Siti Hamisah’s work has helped higher education meet the continually challenging times and needs of the country.
‘‘She has had a tremendous and positive impact on Malaysian higher education,” he added.
Dr Siti Hamisah completed her Diploma in Civil Engineering in Institut Teknologi Mara (now known as Universiti Teknologi Mara) before obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in New England College in the United States. She then worked in the Public Works Department.
She subsequently completed a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell before obtaining a PhD in Engineering from the University of Leeds in 1994.
“I worked as a teaching assistant and also a cleaner to pay for my Master’s degree. I later worked as an engineer in Massachusetts for a year. I also worked as a teaching assistant when I did my PhD,” she said.
Dr Siti Hamisah joined University Teknologi Malaysia in 2001 as a dean. From 2006 to 2009, she was deputy vice-chancellor in charge of academic matters and internationalisation at the university.
She is a registered professional engineer under the Board of Engineers, Malaysia; a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers, Malaysia; and an associate member of the American Civil Society of Engineers.
She also completed Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Programme.
Dr Siti Hamisah previously served as deputy director-general of private education. Her contributions include the establishment of a rating system for private colleges, and the rationalisation and liberalisation of private higher education.
She also played a pivotal role in establishing several foreign branch campuses in Malaysia, including the University of Southampton’s own Malaysia campus at educity @ Iskandar.