Stamping their mark as varsity V-Cs
The four female vice-chancellors at the public universities are highly qualified and have made an impact in their areas of expertise.
FOUR women have taken on the coveted vice-chancellor role in four out of the 20 public universities in Malaysia.
A search committee comprising the who’s who in higher education is tasked with the search for the next vice-chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor to fill the vacancies in a public university.
Higher Education Ministry director-general Datin Paduka Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir said at least four candidates are carefully considered before any decision is made on the next vice-chancellor and deputy vice-chancellor.
The four — Prof Datin Paduka Dr Aini Ideris from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Prof Datuk Seri Zaleha Kamaruddin from International Islamic University Malaysia, Prof Datuk Dr Asma Ismail from Universiti Sains Malaysia and Prof Datuk Dr Nor Aieni Mokhtar from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu were appointed as they fit the bill.
“All are highly qualified with scholarly experience and have made names in their areas of expertise,” she told StarEducate.
Dr Siti Hamisah said women play an important part in the education system.
Three female trailblazers also made an impact when they were appointed to their roles in the 2000s.
Datuk Rafiah Salim made history when she was the first woman picked to head a public university. She was appointed vice-chancellor of Universiti Malaya in 2006.
Prof Tan Sri Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin was subsequently appointed as Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia vice-chancellor several months later in the same year.
Prof Datuk Dr Aminah Ayob was appointed vice-chancellor of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris in 2007.
As part of the Star Media Group’s month-long celebration of women in conjunction with International Women’s Day on March 8, here are four women speaking about heading the country’s public universities.
AirAsia is Star Media Group’s partner for WOW, a month-long celebration of women held in conjunction with International Women’s Day.