It will be a historical moment this week for the century-old Universiti Malaya when a woman becomes its first vice-chancellor.

And the woman honoured to create and share that part of UM's history is Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahbudin, currently the chief executive officer of the National Accreditation Board (LAN).

The New Straits Times reported today that the experienced educationist will take over the UM hot seat, replacing Dr Hashim Yaacob, whose term ends tomorrow.

Sharifah has worked for more than 20 years with the National Council of Women's Organisations (NCWO) and has spoken on sexual harassment, polygamy, Islamic family law and rape.

NCWO deputy president Ramani Gurusamy told the paper that Sharifah possessed all the traits of a dedicated leader.

"It's about time a woman was appointed vice-chancellor. Dr Sharifah will do a great job as she interacts well with all levels of society and appreciates differences of opinion."

Sharifah was a medical studies professor at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia from 1975 to 2002.

She then joined the Education Ministry and was tasked with looking into quality assurance at public institutions of higher learning.

On Jan 1, she was made LAN's chief executive officer.

Sharifah is married to Dr Mahmud Mohd Nor, the National Child Friendly Healthcare Association of Malaysia president. The couple has two children.

'Three years not enough'

Meanwhile, several UM academics have expressed their disappointment that their outgoing vice-chancellor Dr Hashim Yaacob's tenure was not extended.

"I simply cannot understand this," Electrical Engineering Department dean Dr Mohamad Rom Tamjis told a press conference yesterday.

If they said he (Prof Hashim) had brought much change and succeeded in raising UM's standard, then his tenure should be extended.

"When he became VC, we drew up a strategic plan for the university. Three years is definitely not enough to follow through on it," the Star quoted Mohamad as saying.

Mohamad Rom said the vice-chancellors at universities in Thailand were usually given a six-year tenure, "some even have 12 years".

"We're not asking that he stays forever. But at least give him another term so that there can be a continuation of the work he started three years ago," he said.

"Another point is, how does the Higher Education Ministry decide who qualifies for the VC post if we have neither key performance indicators nor core competencies? What is the appointment based on?"

UM Family Development Centre director Prof Dr Abd Rahim Abd Rashid said: "The university's board of directors should have supported the VC.

"We will all lose an excellent and respected leader in our university. He will be greatly missed."

Yesterday, Bernama quoted the outgoing VC as saying that he has no hard feelings against anyone although his contract has not been extended.

"I have no hard feelings. There is no need to be sad for me or the university. It is the prime minister's decision (not to extend his tenure).

"I would like to thank the government for appointing me as the vice-chancellor for the last three years," he added.

Hashim was appointed on a three-year contract in April 2003, replacing Dr Anuar Zaini Md Zain who also served only three years.

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