KUCHING: Since 2017, research universities in the country have contributed more than RM7 billion to the national economy through the effort of research, development, commercialisation and innovation which represented returns of 55.3% in the research investment with initial help from the government.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Vice Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi stated this yesterday in his speech during the Public Universities Administrators Day Celebration 2018 at Waterfront Hotel Kuching here.
He said the role of administrators in the aspect of research and innovation in public universities was very important in this era of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IE4.0).
Research officers, for instance, frequently were the backbone in assisting the specialists and university researchers to produce new discoveries and innovations.
“Even their big contributions have earned the attention and recognition from the government and internationally. This recognition thus enhances the level of administrators’ contribution from the scheme of research officers to a higher level,” Kadim added.
In the academic and international aspects for example, he said, the administrators played a role as facilitators in ensuring that academic officers could focus on teaching and learning sessions.
Kadim also said in the aspect of students’ affairs and alumni, usually administrators were entrusted to head the Division and Student Affairs Centre and alumni of a university.
Through these appointments, administrators could contribute energy and idea in ensuring all matters related to students’ welfare such as aspects of food, finance, transportation and students’ co-curiculum activities were well managed .
Earlier, Kadim said the challenge of managing a university was increasingly complex, with various constraints being faced, especially from the financial management aspect, in a situation when the current economy was increasingly uncertain.
The change in leadership recently also posed challenges to university management as well as administrators, forcing them to face the transformation of roles and responsibilities with current government needs.
However, over years, some amazing things had happened. The existence of UM in the Top 200 QS World University Ranking and 5 National Public Universities (UM, UPM, UKM, USM and UTM) in Top 50 Asia for QS Asia University Ranking 2018 will certainly reflect the commitment, hard work and dedication of each level of management at the university from clerk laboratory assistant, administrative officer (P&P), Researcher, Lecturer right up to major management of the university.
Kadim said administrative groups at public universities such as the governor’s office, research officer, financial officer, information technology officer and so on comprised almost 8,000 administrators who came under the umbrella of the Council of Public Administration Council or better known as MASTI.
“You are all the backbone in each of the portfolio of the main university such as in the management of the affairs of the Students and Alumni, Research and Innovation, Academic and International,” he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Public Universities Administration Associations Council (MASTI) President, Azri Bin Hohad explained that the council was a combination of administration associations in public universities. It was established to achieve understanding, cooperation wellbeing, of members through MASTI activities.
“In addition, MASTI intends to promote and strengthen the principles of efficient, fair and democratic management as well as establish relationships with other bodies in line with MASTI’s tasks and goals,” he added.
Azri said the Public Universities Administrators Day Celebration 2018 and Public Universities Administrators Transformation Convention was held from 18-20 Aug this year. It successfully brought together a total of 160 administrators from 20 public universities.
Management Association of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak was entrusted to host the convention this year after the first one in 2016.
During the convention, a forum was also held with the theme “Higher Education In the Era of Industrial Revolution 4.0”.
The event yesterday was attended by the Chairman of Board of Directors of Unimas, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Pangglima Sulong Matjeraie, Chairman of the Malaysian Public Universities Registrars Council, Azida Azmi, Vice Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof Dr Fasihuddin Badruddin Ahmad, Registrars of Malaysian public universities, major management of universities and public universities’ senior officers.
