Omar Abdul Rahman (academic)
Encyclopedia
Omar Abdul Rahman, P.S.M., J.M.N., J.S.M. (born 1932) is a Malaysian academician and corporate figure. Omar is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer
of the MUST Ehsan Foundation, a not for profit foundation that currently manages and administers the Malaysia University of Science and Technology.
in 1958 with a degree in Veterinary Science and later earned a Ph.D from University of Cambridge
in 1966. He started his professional career in 1960 in veterinary research, then in 1972 moved on to academic life at Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (UPM), now Universiti Putra Malaysia
where he was the Founding Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences and the first professor appointed by the university. Omar played major roles in the establishment phase of the university and in the founding of several faculties and academic programmes. His last position at UPM was as Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs.
funding, for commercialization of the results of research and for the overall improvement of the national science and technology management processes.
He was the founder chairman of Technology Park Malaysia
Corporation, the Malaysian Industry - Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), Composite Technology (Research) Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Malaysian Technology Development Corporation.
, a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences for The Developing World), an Honorary Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Founding and Immediate Past President of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.
He also served as a member of the United Nations
Advisory Committee on Science and Technology for Development, the Executive Committee for the Organisation of the Islamic Conference's Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation
and of the UNESCO
’s International Scientific Council for Science and Technology Policy Development.
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the MUST Ehsan Foundation, a not for profit foundation that currently manages and administers the Malaysia University of Science and Technology.
Early academic career
Omar graduated from the University of SydneyUniversity of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
in 1958 with a degree in Veterinary Science and later earned a Ph.D from University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
in 1966. He started his professional career in 1960 in veterinary research, then in 1972 moved on to academic life at Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (UPM), now Universiti Putra Malaysia
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Universiti Putra Malaysia , or UPM, is a leading research intensive public university located in central Peninsular Malaysia, close to the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. It was formerly known as Universiti Pertanian Malaysia or Agricultural University of Malaysia...
where he was the Founding Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences and the first professor appointed by the university. Omar played major roles in the establishment phase of the university and in the founding of several faculties and academic programmes. His last position at UPM was as Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs.
Government and corporate career
In 1984 he was appointed Science Adviser in the Prime Minister's Department, the first person to hold the position. As Science Adviser, Tan Sri Omar served on a number of national committees including The National Development Planning Committee, The National Council for Scientific Research and Development, The National Information Technology Council and the National Telecommunication Council. He initiated a number of national programmes for enhancing research and developmentResearch and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
funding, for commercialization of the results of research and for the overall improvement of the national science and technology management processes.
He was the founder chairman of Technology Park Malaysia
Technology Park Malaysia
The Technology Park Malaysia is Malaysia's most advanced and comprehensive centre for research and development for knowledge-based industries. Its total land area of 750 acres , comprises 12 state-of-the-art buildings each with specific functions...
Corporation, the Malaysian Industry - Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), Composite Technology (Research) Malaysia Sdn Bhd and Malaysian Technology Development Corporation.
Later academic career
Omar is also the founding and current chairman of the London-based Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management Ltd (CPTM), Founding Fellow of the Islamic World Academy of SciencesIslamic World Academy of Sciences
The Islamic Academy of Sciences is a non-profit organisation of distinguished scientists and technologists dedicated to the promotion of science and technology in the Muslim world....
, a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences for The Developing World), an Honorary Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Founding and Immediate Past President of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.
He also served as a member of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Advisory Committee on Science and Technology for Development, the Executive Committee for the Organisation of the Islamic Conference's Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation
COMSTECH
COMSTECH is an abbreviation for the OIC's Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation for the promotion and cooperation of science and technology activities among the OIC member states. The coordinator general of the Committee is Prof Ata ur Rahman.Department of Public Relations,...
and of the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
’s International Scientific Council for Science and Technology Policy Development.
Retirement from government service
He retires as Science Advisor in January 2001 after serving for more than 16 years but remains as Prime Minister's Special Representative to CPTM. Upon retirement in January 2001, he was given the task to establish and manage the Venture Capital for Technology Acquisition fund, a government fund managed by Kumpulan Modal Perdana Sdn. Bhd., of which he was its Executive Chairman from 2001 to April 2007.Australia
- University of MelbourneUniversity of MelbourneThe University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, MelbourneMelbourneMelbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, VictoriaVictoria (Australia)Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively.... - University of QueenslandUniversity of QueenslandThe University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
, BrisbaneBrisbaneBrisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, QueenslandQueenslandQueensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
Malaysia
- National University of Malaysia, BangiBangiBangi is a small town situated on the south of the district of Hulu Langat, in Selangor, Malaysia. It is roughly situated between the towns of Kajang and Putrajaya , and is linked to KTM Komuter commuter train services via the Bangi Komuter station...
, SelangorSelangorSelangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west... - Universiti Putra MalaysiaUniversiti Putra MalaysiaUniversiti Putra Malaysia , or UPM, is a leading research intensive public university located in central Peninsular Malaysia, close to the capital city, Kuala Lumpur. It was formerly known as Universiti Pertanian Malaysia or Agricultural University of Malaysia...
, SerdangSerdangThe state of Serdang was an ancient Malay-Indonesian monarchy, neighboring the Sultanate of Deli, to which it lost some territory.-Rulers:*1728 - 1782 Tuanku Umar Johan Pahlawan Alam Shah bin Tuanku Panglima Paderap [Kejeruan Junjungan], Raja of Serdang...
, SelangorSelangorSelangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west... - Universiti Teknologi MalaysiaUniversiti Teknologi MalaysiaUniversiti Teknologi Malaysia is the oldest public engineering and technological university in Malaysia. The university specialises in technical studies, with separate faculties for Education, Pure Sciences, Management, and Human Resources Development. It is the country's major source of graduate...
, SkudaiSkudaiSkudai is a rapidly expanding suburb of Johor Bahru, the largest city in and the capital of the state of Johor in southern Malaysia. Skudai is part of the new growth corridor of southwest Johor, which includes the Senai International Airport, Tanjung Pelepas Port and the proposed new...
, JohorJohorJohor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
United Kingdom
- University of BristolUniversity of BristolThe University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
, BristolBristolBristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... - University of StirlingUniversity of StirlingThe University of Stirling is a campus university founded by Royal charter in 1967, on the Airthrey Estate in Stirling, Scotland.-History and campus development:...
, StirlingStirlingStirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
, ScotlandScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
Malaysian federal awards
- Panglima Setia Mahkota
- carrying the titleMalay titlesThe Malay language has a complex system of titles and honorifics, which are still used extensively in Malaysia and Brunei. Singapore, whose Malay royalty was abolished by the British colonial government in 1891, has adopted civic titles for its leaders....
of Tan Sri- Johan Mangku Negara
- Johan Setia Mahkota