Manipal International University appoints Mohd Salleh its Vice-Chancellor

By Digital News Asia March 5, 2013

Brings with him vast experience in R&D and the life sciences
To help drive university’s innovation and entrepreneurial focus

MANIPAL International University (MIU) has appointed Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Mohamed Salleh Mohamed Yasin (pic) its Vice Chancellor effective March 1, saying he will bring with him vast experience in research and development (R&D) and the life sciences which would strengthen the university’s position in innovation and research.

“I look forward to guiding innovation and research at MIU, not just in biotechnology but across all engineering and business program,” he said in a statement issued by MIU.

“Innovation is a mind-set; creativity, an attitude. Both can be harnessed. It is pertinent that graduates possess these attributes to rise above the competition,” he added.

Mohamed Salleh also serves as founding director, United Nations University – International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH), and is a board member of SIRIM Berhad and former chairman of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

He began his career as a lecturer in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in 1980 and moved on to head the department in 1985.

He established the first Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (FAHS) in Malaysia at UKM, actively rolling out biomedical related programs and was the founding dean from 1992 to 1995, MIU said in its statement.

He was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Affairs) from 1995 to 2000 and was reassigned to the post of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students’ Affairs) in 2000. In May 2013, Mohamed Salleh became UKM’s Vice Chancellor, a position he held till 2006.

He had previously served on the Board of Malaysian Industry Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and the National Council for Scientific Research and Development.

“With the combination of academic excellence, industrial research, scientific innovation, policy and regulatory framework … Mohamed Salleh is the perfect fit to lead MIU -- an international university which is innovation and entrepreneurial driven,” said Dato Iskandar Mizal Mahmood, managing director and chief executive officer of Manipal Education Malaysia (MEM).

MEM provides a suite of education facilities and services. Its flagship project is the MIU. With a total investment of over RM650 million (US$210 million), the first phase of the 140-acre campus in Nilai is now open.

Granted a university license in 2010, MIU offers foundation and bachelor degree programs in business, engineering and biotechnology, and postgraduate master’s in business administration (MBA).

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