Universiti Malaya's outgoing vice-chancellor Dr Hashim Yaacob, whose term ends on Friday, has no hard feelings against anyone although his contract has not been extended.

"I have no hard feelings. There is no need to be sad for me or the university. It is the prime minister's decision (not to extend his tenure).

"I would like to thank the government for appointing me as the vice-chancellor for the last three years," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Hashim was appointed on a three-year contract in April 2003. In a statement yesterday, the Higher Education Ministry announced that Hashim's tenure would end on Friday.

"I'm glad that there were some good things which I could contribute to the university during my tenure here. Always remember, people come and go.

"When your time comes you must go but when you go, you must do it with dignity," he said.

Hashim hoped his successor would be better than him, taking the university to heights that it had never been to before.