PENANG, 26 June 2015 – Education Minister II Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh has appointed the Chief Executive of the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) Dato' Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak, 47, as a member of the USM Board of Governors effective 1 June 2015 for the duration of three years.

As stated in the appointment letter, Idris commended Redza Rafiq and hoped that the appointment would contribute to and spur USM towards academic advancements and organisational excellence in accordance with the aspiration of the government to transform Malaysia into a regional and global centre for academic excellence.

Redza Rafiq holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Hull, United Kingdom and an MBA degree in Finance and E-Commerce. He started his career at the Renong Group of Companies where he gained exposure to various corporate work, and he is also involved in Malaysia Venture Capital Management Berhad, Penang Port Sdn Bhd., Fabtronic Sdn Bhd and Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC).

Redza Rafiq was involved in the development of Cyberjaya since 1997, when he was appointed as the Managing Director and Director of Cyberview Sdn Bhd. in February 2006 after leading it as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) since  January  2002. Redza was then appointed as the Chief Executive of the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) in 1 January 2010. 

“I hope to contribute my energy and ideas in bridging the relations between USM and the industry especially in research and innovation activities available at the university,” said Redza Rafiq in accepting his appointment.

The Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman welcomed the appointment and commended him in the efforts to intensify collaborations between USM and the industry.

“This is a synergy of ideas and efforts which would yield wondrous outcomes from the collaboration of USM with the industry including research and innovation for the development of the society and advanced knowledge,” said Omar.

He added, the appointment would further strengthen the administration of the university, in utilising the ideas and experiences of the prominent individuals in society and narrowing the existing gap to ensure that the transfer of knowledge and collaborations with the industry would be enhanced in the long run.

On Wednesday, USM signed an agreement with NCIA headed by Redza Rafiq and witnessed by the Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak to leverage on the current research and innovation expertise of USM for the development of the Northern Corridor through industrial collaborations, involving the areas of electric and electronics, solid state lighting and the development of Bio-Technology in the northern region.

The MoU too concerns programmes on income-generation for the community which include Eco, Heritage, Archaeo-Tourism and Hospitality, Tourism Development Programme for Balik Pulau and a number of other projects.

Focus is also given on the talent-building programme for entrepreneurship and the Science development programme in Kedah, beside efforts to assist poor students in the NCIA region.

“This is one example and an initial indicator of how Dato’ Redza Rafiq could work hand in hand with USM in spearheading the efforts in relation to the optimisation of research and innovation as well as talent-building to benefit the society and the nation,” said Omar further. - Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Teks: Mohamad Abdullah