Home / Board of Directors / Prof. Emerita Datuk Dr. Asma Binti Ismail
Prof. Emerita Datuk Dr. Asma Binti Ismail
Prof. Emerita Datuk Dr. Asma Binti Ismail was appointed to the Board as a Director on 6 September 2022. Holding a distinguished career in academia and advisory roles, Prof. Emerita Datuk Dr. Asma was the former Immediate Past President of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and Science, Technology and Innovation Advisor to the Prime Minister.
She currently holds the positions of Ibnu Sina Chair for Medicine at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Pro-Chancellor at University College MAIWP International, University Board Member for Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Member of the Consultative and Anti-Corruption Panel for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and Chair for the Planetary Health Action Plan for Malaysia.
Prof. Emerita Datuk Dr. Asma’s academic prowess is evidenced by a BSc (Biology) from the University of Nevada, Reno, USA, M.A. (Microbiology) from Indiana University, USA and a PhD (Cellular and Molecular Biology) from the University of Nevada, Reno, USA. Notably, she’s been honoured with multiple honorary doctorate degrees from renowned global universities; Honourary Doctor of Science from the University of Glasgow, Honorary Degree Doctor of the University, Keele University and Honorary Doctorate in Literature from Kyoto University of Foreign Studies.
| Name | Prof. Emerita Datuk Dr. Asma Binti Ismail |
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| Date of Appointment | 6th September 2022 |
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As a trailblazer in Malaysian higher education, she served as the first female Vice-Chancellor of both Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia and Universiti Sains Malaysia, President of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, and the Chairperson of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). Her contributions extend beyond administration, leading to 16 globally commercialised patents and the WHO-endorsed rapid diagnostic test for typhoid, TYPHIDOT.
Internationally, her influence spans numerous boards and committees, including the Board of Governors for the Commonwealth of Learning in Vancouver, Canada; the Directing Board and Executive Committee for the Islamic Citation Centre in Shiraz, Iran for the OIC; the College of Fellows at Keele University, UK; and as a Governing Advisory Board Member for Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan. In 2022, she was appointed as Co-Chair for the Inter Academy Partnership Board comprising of 150 science academies worldwide and elected as a member of the International Science Council Standing Committee for Science Planning and Chair of the membership committee for IAP.
At the national level, she has served as a board member for CREST (Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology) Center since 2017; the National Science Council chaired by the Prime Minister; High-Tech Nation Council chaired by the Minister of MOSTI (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation); the National Action Council on Shared Prosperity Vision under the Distinguished Educator category; an independent board of trustees for the Merdeka Award Trust; the Axiata Foundation; the University governing board for UTM; and the Higher Education Council Malaysia.
She has also been a part of the selection panel for various international awards and recognitions, such as TWAS membership (Medical and Health Sciences) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Prize for women’s contribution to development. She was also part of the jury panel for the Merdeka Award, the Rhodes Scholarship to select Malaysians to Oxford University, the Loreal Women in Science Award, the “Anugerah Akademik Negara” (National Academic Award), the MOHE Entrepreneurial Award (MEA) and Best Managed Companies, Asia by Deloitte.
Prof. Emerita Datuk Dr. Asma’s extensive accolades include Forbes Asia’s recognition as a Top 50 Woman over 50, along with national awards like the National Academic Laureate and the “Tokoh Maulidul Rasul” award.
Her impact on Malaysia’s higher education system is profound, marked by significant initiatives such as the establishment of the National Academic Award (Anugerah Akademik Negara) and research universities, shaping The Malaysian Education Blueprint (Higher Education) from 2013 to 2025.