c HEROES OF 2008
You inspire me
Mandy Johnson,British Council Malaysia director
I CAN'T imagine anyone notbeing moved or inspiredwhen they hear United Statespresident-elect Barrack Obamaspeak.
He is like a breath of fresh air
in a stale political arena.He has a vision for the world,
and the role of the US in it,which places cultural relationsat the core of international relations.
He recognises the value of
listening and discussing issuesto reach a settlement, which
is a great improvement on hispredecessors' approach.
Peter Ng,UC5lUnwe~ftypresidentandvice chancellor
PROFESSOR Kim W. Chan, Blue
Ocean Strategy co-writer andFellow of the World Economic
Forum, has been a constant
source of inspiration and a personal and professional mentor.
UCSI adopted his principles toshape its identity and approach.
A meeting with him in 2006sparked a partnership that led tothe formation of the UCSI Blue
Ocean Strategy Regional Centre,
which will be the regional hubfor promoting BOS tenets.
His impressive track record,and unshakeable belief in the
calibre of UCSI have inspired uscollectively - and myself specifically - to aim for the stars.
Dr Volker Wolf,Goethe-Institut Malaysia director
I AM inspired by InstitutTerjemahan Negara Malaysiadirector Mohd Khair Ngadironbecause of his tireless promotionof Malaysian caricaturist Lat inGermany this year.
His team was successful in its
cooperation with a German pub
lisher duri~g the pres~ntation ofLat's book In the language.
He is focused on his vision and
integrates his theoretical andtechnical competencies within apractical and diplomatic manner.
His acknowledgement of thecontributions of others is also atrait I admire.
I admire him for his com
pleteness, humane talents andcharacter.
Elizabeth Lee,5unway Unive~ityCollege and5unway Group of Colleges executive director
BEING a teacher, first and fore
most, I look at other great educators, the greatest of whom, tome, is Jesus Christ.
I learnt to teach using analogies like Christ told parables.Now and then, I use Christ's ex
am pies as they make sense andstill apply to modern-day living.
What Christ "speaks" of arebased on good-for-eternity
. values, from which we can drawtremendous wisdom.
He had an answer for every
question, a prescription for anysituation and a solution to everyproblem.
Professor Datuk Aminah
Ayob,Universiti Perguruan 5ultan Idrisvice chancellor
PROFESSORDatuk Tunku Ismail
Mat Jiwa was the dean of Uni
versiti Sains Malaysia's School ofEducation in the 1980s.
He was fair and a friend to hisstaff. But he was strict when itcame to work:
As a vice chancellor now, I
model my leadership style onhim, particularly the way heboosted morale among his staffand carried himself.
He gave me a lot of responsibilities because he believed that
the more yeu do, the more youlearn.
Professor Datuk Nik
Mustapha R Abdullah,Universiti Putra Malaysia vicechancellor
MAK Engku was the eldest onmy father's side. She was a
strong woman yet poised andelegant. I am deeply saddenedby her'death.
She moulded my personality
by~instilling good values in meand putting strong emphasis onreligion.
Mak Engku was the matriarchof the family. I often sought heradvice ..
As I settled down and started
my own family, I couldn't helpbut ask myself "What wouldMak Engku do?" if I encountered a problem ..
Professor Datuk Dr
Sharifah' Hapsah .SyedHasan Shahabudin,Universiti Kebangsaan Malayasia (UKM) vice chancellor
WARGA UKM - students,academics and administrative,
technical and support staff inspired me the most this year.
They demonstrated the UKMspirit as the national university,
dedicated to nation-buildingand the promotion of national
identity through Bahasa Malaysia, while striving to be one ofthe world's leading universities.
Because of them I am de
termined to provide the bestphysical, social and psychological milieu for working,'learningand innovating.
Professor Datuk Zaini
Ujang,Universiti Teknologi Malaysia(UTM) vice chancellor.
THE person who inspired methe most is UTM Board ofDirectors chairman and former
Chief Secretary to the MalaysianGovernment Tan Sri Halim Ali.
A soft spoken former chief
diplomat, Halim has challengedme to transform UTM from
"good to great", from.a toplocal technical university to a
global player.It's a tall order but something
I aspire to realise. His advice,often said in a casual man-
ner, is thought provoking and
inspiring.
Professor Tan Sri DzulkifliAbdul Razak,Universiti Sains Malaysia vicechancellor
MY father Datuk Abdul Razak
Abdul Hamid continues to
inspire me with his humility,honesty, hard work and "heartwork" (the intangibles such as'spirituality), harmony and avoid
ing hypocrisy.This 83-year-old survivor of
the 1945 Hiroshima atomic
bombing teaches me that bybeing humble, one will alwaysbe in a learning mode.
His philosophy continues tobe a guide to the way of lifethat we have lost.
Professor Datuk Ghauth
Jasmon,University of Malaya (UM) vicechancellor
AMONG the responsibilities ofbeing UM's 10th YC is to leadthe university to new heights.
Prophet Muhammad hasconvinced me that nothing isimpossible. He was appointedthe Messenger of Allah at 40to lead not only a tribe but allhumankind.
He was the seal of all Prophets, a husband, a father, a general on battlefields, a leader, a
religious scholar and an adviser.He was trustworthy, wise andtruthful, among other traits.
