VC: Redzuan's removal transparent, democratic
Published: Jul 1, 2014 6:00 AM | Updated: Jul 1, 2014 1:25 PM
Universiti Malaya (UM) has denied any “outside” interference in its action to remove Professor Mohammad Redzuan Othman as the director of University of Malaya’s Centre for Democracy and Elections (Umcedel).
Universiti Malaya (UM) has denied any “outside” interference in the removal of Professor Mohammad Redzuan Othman as the director of University of Malaya’s Centre for Democracy and Elections (Umcedel).
Instead, its vice-chancellor Professor Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin (right) asserted, the decision was taken “in the interests of the university”.
He said Redzuan’s tenure as dean was not extended as a result of a “democratic and transparent election process”.
Below is Mohd Amin’s statement to Malaysiakini in full:
“Referring to the current news reports, highlighting the issue of Professor Mohammad Redzuan’s tenure as the dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences not being extended, the management would like to state that this was a decision based on democratic and transparent election process.
The management would like to clarify that this election exercise is a normal process to decide the faculty deans for the upcoming term after their tenure expires on the June 30, 2014.
The position of faculty dean is an administrative position, whereby the appointment is by the vice-chancellor for one term (two or three years) and subject to the normal process of selection: application by academic staff, election by faculty members; followed by interview and a panel selection headed by the vice-chancellor.
In accordance with the Universiti Malaya constitution 2010, sub section 24(4) which provides the vice-chancellor the authority to appoint a dean/director for each faculty, school, centre, academy and institute, the vice-chancellor shall appoint the said dean/director from among three candidates who have received the highest scores.
From the list of the three candidates who received the highest scores from the elections held from June 10 to 12, an interview was conducted with each of the candidates from June 17 until 20 to decide on the appointment of the new dean/director for 2014.
Professor Mohammad Redzuan was shortlisted among two other candidates, Professor Dr Md Sidin Ahmad (left) and Professor Dr Azizan Abu Samah.
After lengthy deliberations, the management decided to appoint Professor Dr Md Sidin, 55, as the new dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, taking into account Professor Mohammad Redzuan’s, 59, expected retirement next year and the opportunity for Professor Dr Md Sidin to familiarise himself with his new role as Professor Mohammad Redzuan’s successor.
The management also took into consideration the two terms served by Professor Mohammad Redzuan (three plus two years) with Professor Md Sidin’s appointment providing stability in line with the faculty’s succession plan.
The appointment of Professor Md Sidin, is timely as he was formerly the Deputy Dean (Postgraduate) Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences for five years and is seen as the perfect candidate to continue in the faculty’s outstanding culture of excellence in research.
Regarding the allegations of outside interference in the removal of Professor Mohammad Redzuan as the director of Universiti Malaya’s Centre for Democracy and Elections (Umcedel), the management would like to take this opportunity to clarify certain issues regarding this matter.
Firstly, the management would like to categorically state that this decision was taken in the interests of the university and not in any way linked to any form of pressure from outside parties.
This decision was solely taken by Universiti Malaya in light of Professor Mohammad Redzuan’s impending retirement next year and to provide his deputy, Dr Amir Saifude Ghazali an opportunity to familiarisse himself with the responsibilities as a the survey body’s director.
Nevertheless, Professor Mohammad Redzuan will still be contributing his expertise as a member of Umcedel’s research group and as a professor in the History Department in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
His invaluable knowledge and wisdom will certainly be asset in grooming the upcoming political researchers in maintaning Umcedel’s position as the premier political research body in the country.”
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Instead, its vice-chancellor Professor Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin (right) asserted, the decision was taken “in the interests of the university”.He said Redzuan’s tenure as dean was not extended as a result of a “democratic and transparent election process”.
Below is Mohd Amin’s statement to Malaysiakini in full:
“Referring to the current news reports, highlighting the issue of Professor Mohammad Redzuan’s tenure as the dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences not being extended, the management would like to state that this was a decision based on democratic and transparent election process.
The management would like to clarify that this election exercise is a normal process to decide the faculty deans for the upcoming term after their tenure expires on the June 30, 2014.
The position of faculty dean is an administrative position, whereby the appointment is by the vice-chancellor for one term (two or three years) and subject to the normal process of selection: application by academic staff, election by faculty members; followed by interview and a panel selection headed by the vice-chancellor.
In accordance with the Universiti Malaya constitution 2010, sub section 24(4) which provides the vice-chancellor the authority to appoint a dean/director for each faculty, school, centre, academy and institute, the vice-chancellor shall appoint the said dean/director from among three candidates who have received the highest scores.
From the list of the three candidates who received the highest scores from the elections held from June 10 to 12, an interview was conducted with each of the candidates from June 17 until 20 to decide on the appointment of the new dean/director for 2014.
Professor Mohammad Redzuan was shortlisted among two other candidates, Professor Dr Md Sidin Ahmad (left) and Professor Dr Azizan Abu Samah.After lengthy deliberations, the management decided to appoint Professor Dr Md Sidin, 55, as the new dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, taking into account Professor Mohammad Redzuan’s, 59, expected retirement next year and the opportunity for Professor Dr Md Sidin to familiarise himself with his new role as Professor Mohammad Redzuan’s successor.
The management also took into consideration the two terms served by Professor Mohammad Redzuan (three plus two years) with Professor Md Sidin’s appointment providing stability in line with the faculty’s succession plan.
The appointment of Professor Md Sidin, is timely as he was formerly the Deputy Dean (Postgraduate) Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences for five years and is seen as the perfect candidate to continue in the faculty’s outstanding culture of excellence in research.
Regarding the allegations of outside interference in the removal of Professor Mohammad Redzuan as the director of Universiti Malaya’s Centre for Democracy and Elections (Umcedel), the management would like to take this opportunity to clarify certain issues regarding this matter.
Firstly, the management would like to categorically state that this decision was taken in the interests of the university and not in any way linked to any form of pressure from outside parties.
This decision was solely taken by Universiti Malaya in light of Professor Mohammad Redzuan’s impending retirement next year and to provide his deputy, Dr Amir Saifude Ghazali an opportunity to familiarisse himself with the responsibilities as a the survey body’s director.
Nevertheless, Professor Mohammad Redzuan will still be contributing his expertise as a member of Umcedel’s research group and as a professor in the History Department in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
His invaluable knowledge and wisdom will certainly be asset in grooming the upcoming political researchers in maintaning Umcedel’s position as the premier political research body in the country.”
Related stories
Umcedel findings 'no big deal', says KJ
'My issue is Umcedel, not dean post'
Pre-Redzuan, a long list of interference
MP: Redzuan's removal from Umcedel a step back
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