Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias appointed as 6th UMPSA Vice-Chancellor

PEKAN, 13 January 2025 – Professor Dr Yatimah Alias, 55, has been appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) for two years, effective 13 January 2025.

She succeeds Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, who held the position from 1 March 2022 to 31 October 2024.

Professor Dr. Yatimah was welcomed by the university management team and UMPSA staff on her first day at the Tun Abdul Razak Chancellery Building, UMPSA Pekan Campus.

As the 6th Vice-Chancellor and the first woman appointed to the role at UMPSA, Professor Dr Yatimah expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and the Minister of Higher Education, YB Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, for their trust.

She also extended her appreciation to the Director-General of Higher Education, Datuk Professor Dr. Azlinda Azman, the former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Ts. Dr Yuserrie Zainuddin, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr. Aida Mustapha, who performed the duties of Vice-Chancellor from 1 November 2024.

“This is a very meaningful opportunity in my life, and I look forward to working with all the staff.

“Insya-Allah, I will do my best for this premier university in the field of technology and engineering.

“As one of the universities within the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN), UMPSA is seen as consistently committed to creating innovation and uniqueness in academic programme offerings through strategic international collaborations,” she said.

With extensive experience in academics and international engagement, she hopes to continue working with the UMPSA community to achieve excellence and realise the vision of becoming a premier technology university.

Previously, Professor Dr. Yatimah served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) at Universiti Malaya (UM) since 2022.

She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Electrochemistry-Inorganic Chemistry from the University of East Anglia, United Kingdom (1999), following her Bachelor’s Degree (1993) and Master’s Degree in Chemistry at UM (1996).

She has also held notable positions, including Director of UM’s Centre for Co-curriculum Development (2014), Director of UM’s Centre for Strategic Academic Planning (2018), and President of the Malaysian Ionic Liquids Research Society (MILRS) from 2017 to 2022.

The Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, officially handed over the appointment letter for the new UMPSA Vice-Chancellor to Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias on 8 January.

The UMPSA community is honoured and extends its heartfelt congratulations on the appointment of Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias as the new UMPSA Vice-Chancellor.

By: Naqiah Puaad, Centre For Corporate Communications

Translation by: Dr.  Rozaimi  Abu  Samah, UMPSA Press