USM PENANG, 31 July 2026 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) announces the appointment of Professor Datin Dr. Noor Hazlina Ahmad as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and International (TNCAA), effective 3 August.

The appointment succeeds Professor Dato' Gs. Dr. Narimah Samat, who has completed her term of service in the position.

Professor Datin Dr. Noor Hazlina Ahmad is an esteemed academic in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, and organisational development. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Entrepreneurship from the University of Adelaide, Australia, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from USM, and a Bachelor of Science in Humanities (Psychology) from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

Prior to her appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, she served as the Dean of the USM School of Management from 2019, successfully leading various strategic transformations that enhanced academic excellence, internationalisation, and institutional sustainability.

Under her leadership, several high-impact academic programmes were introduced, including the Master of Business Analytics, developed in collaboration with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), and the Master of Professional Management, in partnership with the Malaysian Bar Council.

Additionally, an exclusive collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) was established in 2022 to develop digital leadership talent among top Egyptian students. This initiative expanded USM's international footprint and reinforced its role in nurturing professionals equipped for a data-driven, digital economy.

Her commitment to higher education innovation is demonstrated through her leadership of various flexible learning initiatives, including offshore programmes, Open and Distance Learning (ODL), micro-credentials, and stackable degree pathways.

Among her notable achievements are the development of a micro-credential-based Bachelor of Management (Honours) programme in partnership with QSR Brands, and the exploration of an AI-guided Master of Management programme, poised to be one of USM's most forward-looking academic offerings.

Internationally, she serves as President of the Asian Academy of Management (AAM) for the 2025–2027 term. Her leadership continues to strengthen regional academic networks through collaborative initiatives spanning Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, particularly across research, talent development, and academic mobility.

Furthermore, she actively contributes to national higher education development through her role as Chairman of the Strategic Investment in Education Working Group under the National Education Reform Study led by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, as well as her involvement in formulating the Malaysian Innovation Management Standards based on the ISO 56000 series.

USM is confident that her appointment will further advance the university's academic and internationalisation agenda, specifically by driving educational innovation, expanding global networks, enhancing graduate employability, and solidifying USM's standing as a leading global institution.

Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias