Category: 2024 Delegate

Norahim Bin Ibrahim holds a B.Eng. in Applied Chemistry (2001) from Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan under the Look East Policy Scholarship funded by the Public Service Department (JPA). Since 2007, he has been working as a tutor in the Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, UTM. In 2008, he completed a Masters in Chemistry at University of Bath, UK, with a scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education and obtained his PhD from the same institution in 2012. He then served the Department of Student Affairs and Alumni,UTM for 8 years as a Residential College Principal where he dedicated his time and expertise to student development and welfare. Since his return, he has been involved in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and raising awareness about organic waste management across the country. His community service projects have earned him recognition both nationally and internationally. He currently collaborates with local and international companies and organizations in research on organic agriculture. His research interests include water treatment and applied biology in agriculture.

Currently, the President and Vice-Chancellor of UCSI University, Malaysia following appointment on October 1, 2021. A former civil servant with over 34 years in the Government; held various portfolios under six different ministers, most notably in higher education and science, technology and innovation.

Prior to retirement from the civil service in September 2021, played an instrumental role in overseeing the coordination of the National Immunization Programme (PICK) as the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), which was mandated to implement PICK in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH). The national vaccination programme exceeded expectations by inoculating at least 80% of the adult population in Malaysia by September 2021. Initially expected to retire in March 2021 but service was extended by six months to
lead MOSTI in rolling out PICK.

In 2019, was appointed as the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) to lead the policy development and strategic management in science, technology and innovation as well as the environment and climate change.

Served as the Director-General of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) from 2017 to 2019. Responsible for the implementation of the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015 – 2025 – the Integrated Cumulative Grade Point Average (iCGPA), the CEO@Faculty programme and the 2u2i programme as the key initiatives. Introduced Malaysian Quality Evaluation System for Private Colleges, also known as the MyQuest rating system, to evaluate and subsequently improve the performance of private higher education institutions of college status in Malaysia. Prior to that, served as the Deputy
Director-General for both public and private universities at MOHE from 2009 to 2017. The policy enhancement of private higher education was captured in two books namely; ‘The Way Forward of PHEI’ and “Framing Malaysian Higher Education 4.0: Future Proofing Talents’ and quality of PHEIs”. Was also responsible for the governance and regulatory of private higher education institutions (PHEIs) in Malaysia.

Worked briefly as a Civil Engineer in the Public Works Department, Malaysia and Bethel & Duncan Associate, Burlington, Massachusetts, USA.

Started career as a lecturer at University Technology Malaysia (UTM) in 1987 and then as a Dean of Pusat Pengajian Diploma. Subsequently Deputy-Vice Chancellor in charge of academic matters and internalization at UTM.
A registered professional engineer with the Board of Engineers, a Fellow member of the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia and a Professional Technologist of the Malaysia Board of Technologists. President of the Malaysia Board of Technologists since 2021 and a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia since September 2022. Completed Advanced Management Program at Harvard University, Boston, USA in 2014.

Upon retirement from full time civil service, was appointed as Group Chief Executive Officer of UCSI Group and Vice- Chancellor of UCSI University in October 2021. Mainly oversees the strategic agenda of the education, technology, hotels and travel segments as well as monitoring the performance and fiduciary duties of the UCSI Group and its group of companies. In May 2022, was appointed as the Chairman of the Healthcare Work Culture Improvement Task Force established by the Ministry of Health Malaysia to cover aspects of work culture as well as human resources
management of healthcare personnel. The task force has ended in August 2022. In 2022, was appointed as the one of the committee members of Merdeka Award Nomination Committee for Education and Community Category.

On board of several public listed companies; the Chairperson of Independent Board of Director of Oppstar Berhad, on board of Sime Darby Bhd., Institute Intergriti Malaysia and Malayan Cement Berhad. Was the Chairperson of Independent Board of Director of KitaCon Berhad till June 2024.

Mohd Fadhil is a passionate person in New Academia, especially to inculcate the essential knowledge of the environment among engineering students and later become responsible engineers who practice sustainable development and help preserve the natural environment for Planetary Health. He adored the terms name as Public and Private Merits. His greatest satisfaction is a mutual contribution to the community and society (Public Merit) as the top outcome in the New Academia with sustainability-related highlights. Since 2005, he involved with various practical exercises, including the sustainable concept of civil works, environmental management program, living laboratory for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “circular economy” activity, disaster management in sustaining climate & resilience adaptation and policy-to-action works. Until now, he published more than 200 indexed papers, 300 conferences proceedings, 15 Book Chapters, 4 Edited Books, 30 articles in newspaper and many other platforms. His sustainable work covers a widest aspect particularly management in environmental sciences and application, and environmental management system (EMS), environmental impact assessment (EIA), risk management and, sustainable and consumption projects. The subject focuses on the current development of environmental engineering aspects, such as membrane technology, sludge treatment, recovery and reuse water, and innovative decision making in sustainable environment.

Apart targeted for Public and Private Merits, the most of his R&D initiative is to inculcate the motivation of translational project within organization, as similar to the knowledge transfer. Since 2010, he has involved with several community knowledge-transfers (CSR and USR), including water and marine rehabilitation program, planting trees for National Restoration Plan and, energy and climate change awareness programme. Also, been invited for the society and community contribution, named Local Agenda 21, River of Life (RoL). This is a continuous program for volunteerism, public awareness/participation and technical assistant under the special engagement with various stakeholders. Furthermore, his core research and academic expertise are as follows:

1. Water and Wastewater Management and Engineering Study
2. Sustainability and Engineering Practices
3. Municipal and Industrial Quality Effluent
4. Biochemistry and Biotechnology Engineering
5. Environmental Management System and Environmental Assessment
6. ESG for Sustainability Policy and Reporting
7. Artificial Intelligent (AI) Principles for Sustainability Framework

Mohd Fadhil is now serving Sustainable Action Plan and Youth Sustainable Program as the pre-requisite administration and management in promoting the sustainable activity within the stakeholders. The targeted scope is to create a platform together with the youth in order to produce a leader/champion with green and sustainable mindset in the near future.  Mostly, the energy and climate change is the major concern the contributions from data collection and promoting the green index within organization. Furthermore, he has been selected as educational taskforce for the professional body and this will enforce more “bridges” among stakeholders. Many issues have involves different stakeholder level, including the impacted community and institution. The science diplomat action is a key factor in his recent roles as at country level and the practices among Malaysia leader-to be, associated with mission to transform the national agenda. Ideally, the combination of science-to-action and engagement with regional/international platform may enhance the current issues and future challenges. There are many possibilities to inculcate the revision works especially to be together in the aspect of responsibility to bring the SDGs in the multi-various sectors and level of institutions within the region. Contribution from the research and innovation may serve diplomacy and volunteerism spirit among the leaders. Transformation of urban life, biodiversity of nature, awareness on economic reputation and global health among the ASEAN countries will be the major factor among the ambassador of science-to-action. International science diplomacy could be the advocacy for the government plan/action towards the actual roles and responsibility. He had been invited to participate the “Technical Working Group” among the stakeholders across the ministry level to share ideas and knowledge on environment and sustainability action to the country. The part of action, triple helix contribution and collaboration among academia, industry and community is a must for any research and innovation involvements. Therefore, science diplomacy practices among country and ASEAN platform may create the balance of future planning and monitoring across the level of stakeholders. The spirit between scientist and engineer is always being manipulated in a wrong perspective. In the new era, both parties have to communicate in the “common language” to explore the potential of Policy-to-Action.