PENANG, 2 May 2014 - Associate Professor Dr. P. Sundramoorthy from the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has been appointed the new Security Director of USM Security Department starting May 2, 2014 until December 31, 2015.

P. Sundramoorthy took over his official duties from his predecessor Deputy Registrar Hj. Mhd. Ramli Mehat who retired on April 30.

"USM viewed security issues including those involving its students seriously and hoped that the appointment of P. Sundramoorthy would help strengthen the security efforts made," said USM Vice-Chancellor Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman when meeting the new Security Director in his office this morning.

The Vice-Chancellor said with his vast experience and expertise, the university hopes to enhance the university’s security in all USM campuses, creating a safe and peaceful environment in the campuses.

The Vice-Chancellor also expressed his appreciation for the hard work and initiatives put in by Hj. Mhd. Ramli Mehat when he headed the Security Department since July 2012 and his previous service with USM.

Besides that, USM has also established the University Security and Well-being Council chaired by the Vice-Chancellor himself and comprised of the university’s senior officials and various parties as a platform for them to give views and suggestions for continuous improvement.

Meanwhile, P. Sundramoorthy expressed his appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and the University to be given the trust to use his expertise and experience to enhance the security and well-being of the university.

"I realise that it is not an easy job, but I will endeavour to ensure that the Security Department will function effectively and professionally so that the campus will always be a safe place for all to live, work and study," said Sundramoorthy.

P. Sundramoorthy received his first degree in Criminal Justice from St. Cloud State University, United States in 1985 and earned a Master of Science in the same field in 1989. Later he continued his studies at South Dakota State University, United States and obtained his doctoral degree in sociology in 1993. Upon returning to Malaysia, he joined USM as a lecturer in June 1994. In 2013, he became the Deputy Dean (Student Affairs and Networking) of the School of Social Sciences.

His three main areas of research are trends and patterns of crime, critical issues in policing, and public perception of crime, security and police.

He is well-known as a criminology expert who led the research team of the Crime and Policing, and also an expert in Criminology for the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) Assessment Council as well as in various governing bodies and research initiatives in the country.

Sundramoorthy was also invited as a visiting professor at the University of Utah United States and Chubu University, Nagoya, Japan.

Beginning in January 2014, he was elected the President of USM Academic and Administrative Staff Association (PKAPUSM). - Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe/Text: Mohamad bin Abdullah/Photo: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa