New deputy v-c (Student Affairs and Alumni) appointed

PROF Datuk Dr Othman Karim (pic) has been appointed deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Prof Othman who is from the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment’s Smart and Sustainable Township Research Centre, takes over from Assoc Prof Dr Roslee Rajikan, whose term ended on April 12.

The appointment effective from April 22 for a three-year term was made by Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik under Section 12 (6) of the UKM constitution.

Prof Othman who is from Rembau, Negri Sembilan, obtained his undergraduate degree in civil engineering from the University of Toledo, Ohio, in the United States in 1986 and his Master’s and PhD in maritime engineering from the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom in 1988 and 1996 respectively.

He has previously served as director of UKM’s Centre for Information Technology from 2006 to 2011, chief information officer (2007 to 2014) and deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) from 2011 to 2014.

He is also a professional engineer and a registered consultant for environmental impact assessments.

Prof Othman specialises in maritime civil engineering, coastal engineering and environmental hydraulics.

He also holds various positions beyond UKM including as an ICT committee member at the Board of Engineers Malaysia and Malaysian Qualifications Agency panel assessor (maritime).