Professor Emeritus Datuk TS. Ir. Dr. Siti Hamisah Tapsir
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.