UMS vice-chancellor confirms his services shortened

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KOTA KINABALU: Prof Datuk Dr D Kamarudin D Mudin yesterday confirmed the rumors about his term of service as Universiti Malaysia Sabah vice-chancellor (UMS) being shortened was true and said he had received a letter of notification regarding the matter.

D Kamarudin said his term of service would be until July 29, thus clarifying that he had no choice but to announce the matter as soon as possible to prevent more negative rumours being spread to the community, especially university folks.

“I hope that the employees are not affected by this change and continue to carry out their responsibilities.

“With regard to the shortening of the service, I agree with the decision of the Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik and believe the decision was made professionally by taking into account the interests of the university,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

D Kamarudin said the change in management in government organisations was a common process in the new Malaysian government and the management of the university had always accepted the decision from the Ministry of Education.

He also hoped that all his plans for further strengthening the UMS that included the governance aspect for the three years to 2020 and some of the other plans previously undertaken would be continued by academic and administrative staff of the university.

“Changes like curriculum reviews need to be continued because we want to produce graduates with knowledge and skills and are ready to meet the current job market, and this contributes to the UMS graduates’ marketability,” he said.

On his successor, Kamarudin hoped that the new UMS vice-chancellor would possess high integrity, and at the same time hoping the issue of his successor’s appointment would not be politicised by any party and that the Ministry’s decision would be accepted. – Bernama