Asma Ismail (Malaysia)

Academician Professor Emerita Datuk Dr Asma Ismail, FASc, joined the IMU University as the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer on 1 August 2024. She is also the immediate past president of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and the immediate past Science, Technology and Innovation Advisor to the Prime Minister and to the country. She currently holds the positions of Ibnu Sina Chair for Medicine at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and Pro-Chancellor at the University College MAIWP International. She sits on the university board for Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and is member of the Consultative and Anti-Corruption Panel for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission as well as the Think Tank Council at Talent Corp Malaysia. She is also Chair of the Planetary Health Action Plan for Malaysia and has been appointed as a Senior Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia in May of 2024 and was conferred the title Academician.

Besides being the first female Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Prof Asma is also Malaysia’s first female Director-General of Higher Education, first female President of Academy of Sciences Malaysia, first female to be appointed as the Chairperson of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the first woman to be the National Science Advisor to the Prime Minister and to the country. In addition, she was elected to the Academy of Sciences Malaysia in 2003, The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) in 2010, The Islamic World Academy of Sciences in 2016, and as an Honorary Member of the Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences in 2017.

Her contribution to the higher education and science development ecosystem are internationally recognised. She has initiated scientific discoveries which have led to the attainment of 16 patents that are commercialised worldwide, and the rapid diagnostic test for typhoid called Typhidot, advocated by WHO. She had also obtained numerous awards and recognitions (more than 270) for her achievements at National and International levels. She has shared her knowledge via more than 130 papers, more than 540 invited talks and more than 90 keynotes at national and global levels.

In Malaysia, she has played a vital role in progressing the higher education system including the establishment of the prestigious National Academic Award (Anugerah Akademik Negara), the establishment of Research Universities in Malaysia and in developing and implementing The Malaysian Education Blueprint (Higher Education) 2013 to 2025. She is currently involved in the rewriting of the Higher Education blueprint 2026 to 2035 and is a member of the Higher Education Advisory Panel for financial sustainability of universities under the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). She believes in supporting fellow scientists and has been a part of the selection panel for various international awards and recognitions such as the 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, Rhodes Scholarship to select Malaysians for entry into Oxford University, the Loreal Women in Science Award, the Anugerah Akademik Negara (National Academic Award), MOHE Entrepreneurial Award (MEA) and Best Managed Companies, Asia by Deloitte.