OVER TO YOU: Khairuddin (left) hands over duties to Morshidi as Dr Hatta (second left) and Datuk JC Fong, a board member, look on.
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) is looking into reviewing its strategic plans within this year although they cover up to 2015.
This was disclosed by its new vice chancellor Prof Dr Morshidi Sirat who added that the university would be reviewing its achievements.
“When we review the plans, we will be looking at it in relation with what is going on at national level,” he told reporters at a press conference following the handing over of duties ceremony by former Unimas vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Khairuddin Hamid witnessed by Unimas Board of Directors chairman Datu Dr Hatta Solhi here yesterday.
Morshidi, who will be the fifth vice chancellor of Unimas, is currently leading a study commissioned by the Ministry of Education on a review of the National Higher Education Strategic Plan.
“If there are new things introduced in that plan, obviously the strategic plans of all universities in the country will need to be reviewed in accordance with the National Higher Education Strategic Plan,” he said, adding that the report is expected to be completed by year end.
“However while waiting for that review, we will continue with what has been taking place, those that are working very well
will be maintained while those that are not, we will need to enhance.”
Born in Sarikei, Morshidi has vast experience in academic leadership where he formerly served as among his former posts were the Universiti Sains Malaysia Dean of School of Humanities and National Higher Education Research Institute (IPPTN) director.
A MSc (Econs) Regional Development Planning graduate from University College of Swansea, University of Wales, he acquired his PhD from University of Southampton, England in 1989.
Meanwhile, Khairuddin told reporters that there will always be room for improvement and new things to achieve for the university.
“We have to become the forefront in the education of new knowledge and innovation in the society. Therefore we have to challenge ourselves from time to time to achieve the new target in order to be competitive,” he said, noting that in order for Unimas to be better known in the future, it has to strive for new innovative ideas.
“I would like to see Unimas leading in this region a consortium of universities in Borneo in the future. If you can form this and with Unimas being the leader, that would be a great achievement.”