2025
10 MayÂ鶹´«Ã½Ó³» appoints its second Chancellor
KUALA LUMPUR: Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University has appointed Tunku Zain Al-¡®Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz as its new Chancellor, marking only the second such appointment in the institution¡¯s 39-year history.
The new appointment deepens Tunku Zain's affiliation with Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» - an association that officially began in 2021 when he was appointed as the University¡¯s first pro-chancellor.
In that role, he contributed significantly to the student community and played a key role in the development of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»¡¯s Bangladesh branch campus.
He also helped expand the University¡¯s international research network through several overseas engagements.
Earlier this year, Tunku Zain was appointed patron of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Hospital. He has also served as Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Group advisor since 2023.
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University Council chairman Dato¡¯ Peter Ng, in his speech, said, ¡°I have no doubt that Tunku Zain will continue to inspire Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» students, faculty and alumni to rise to greater heights.
¡°This applies not only to their academic and professional pursuits but also to their roles as changemakers and global citizens.
¡°In him, we have a Chancellor who reflects the University¡¯s founding values of audacity, integrity, perseverance and excellence.¡±
And in him, we have a role model that students can look up to for decades to come.¡±
A prominent public intellectual and social advocate, Tunku Zain is widely recognised for his leadership in education, civic engagement and the arts.
As founding president of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), he is known for championing policy reform, good governance and inclusive development.
He is also a columnist, accomplished pianist and a passionate advocate for Malaysia¡¯s diverse heritage.
Beyond Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», Tunku Zain is a trustee of Yayasan Chow Kit, Yayasan Munarah, IDEAS and the Genovasi Foundation.
He also serves as chairman of Omesti Berhad and director of Prima Gading Corporation.
Tunku Zain¡¯s appointment is expected to further strengthen Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University¡¯s mission of academic excellence, innovation and societal impact, reinforcing its standing as a leading institution in Malaysia and the region.
The installation ceremony took place during Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» University¡¯s 38th convocation, the first session of the year, attended by Dato¡¯ Peter Ng, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» vice-chancellor and president Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir and Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Healthcare Group chairman Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
