KUCHING: Swinburne Sarawak has appointed Ir Prof Lau Hieng Ho as its new pro vice-chancellor (PVC) and chief executive officer (CEO) effective July 1.
He succeeded Prof John Wilson following the latter’s retirement last month.
Prof Wilson expressed his pleasure in Prof Lau’s appointment, which will ensure that Swinburne Sarawak continues its mission to be one of Malaysia’s leading private universities with a SETARA 6 and MyRA 5 ratings in the coming years.
Prior to this appointment, Prof Lau served as the pro vice-chancellor (academic) of the Sarawak campus. He led Swinburne Sarawak’s academic team through the learning transformation to online learning and teaching since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition, he was instrumental in broadening the courses offered at the Sarawak campus, reshaping the academic profile in learning and teaching, and forging paths for an industry immersion experience to prepare graduates to thrive in this changing world.
A passionate academician, he has over 18 years of extensive experience in teaching, research, and leadership at the higher education level.
He has contributed significantly to academic and professional development, transnational education, and university-industry linkage.
His qualifications include a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering and a PhD from the Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching from Curtin University.
He is also a Professional Engineer with Practising Certificate registered with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and a Chartered Professional Engineer with Engineers Australia (EA).
Prof Lau is an active and internationally respected researcher, with expertise in cold-formed steel construction as well as broader research interests in construction waste management and sustainable development.
He has published over 90 journal papers, conference papers, book chapters and conference proceedings, and technical articles in these research areas.
Meanwhile, Prof Wilson said he had thoroughly enjoyed his experience at the Sarawak campus over the past four years working with a great team and he looked forward to ongoing involvement as a member of the Board and Council.
He thanked all his colleagues for their exceptional efforts, external partners for their ongoing collaborations, and Swinburne Sarawak Board and Council members for their ongoing leadership, dedication, and service.
In her message on Prof Lau’s appointment, vice-chancellor and president of Swinburne University of Technology, Prof Pascale Quester said as an outstanding academic with excellent leadership skills, Prof Lau would continue to chart the success of Swinburne Sarawak in the coming years.
