SINTOK, 18 January 2026: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) paid tribute to its former top leadership during the Distinguished Leadership Ceremony: Appreciating Service, Celebrating Legacy, held at the Executive Development Centre (EDC), UUM, last night.
The ceremony was organised to honour the exemplary service and lasting contributions of the former Chairman of the UUM Board of Directors (LPU), Tan Sri Datuk Wira Dr Mohd Shukor Mahfar; former Vice-Chancellor of UUM, Prof. Dato’ Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan and former LPU member, Tuan Haji Zambri Mat for their visionary leadership and unwavering dedication throughout their service at UUM.
In his address, the current Chairman of the UUM Board of Directors, Tan Sri Dr Mazlan Yusoff, expressed his profound gratitude for the contributions and leadership demonstrated by the honourees, describing them as pillars of stability, architects of strategic direction and guardians of the university’s governance trust.
“Under the leadership of Tan Sri Datuk Wira Dr Mohd Shukor Mahfar, the LPU has not only functioned as a governing body, but has also evolved into a pillar of institutional stability and a key driver of the university’s strategic direction,” he said.
He further reiterated that their contributions extended beyond boardroom deliberations, becoming deeply embedded in UUM’s management culture, strengthening the academic ecosystem, and enhancing the university’s standing as a leading national institution of knowledge and leadership.
Tan Sri Dr Mazlan Yusoff also expressed appreciation to Prof. Dato’ Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan and Tuan Haji Zambri Mat for their contributions at the executive and policy levels, which have ensured the continuity of the university’s excellence anchored in human values, unity, and institutional accountability.
In his response, Tan Sri Shukor expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve alongside UUM’s leadership and reaffirmed the LPU’s vital function not only as a governance body, but also as a strategic decision-making authority and trustee of the university’s trust.
He highlighted that during his tenure, one of the significant reforms introduced was the implementation of monthly LPU meetings, enabling decisions to be made and acted upon more swiftly and effectively.
“This approach ensured that any key university matters or decisions could be managed with greater efficiency, systematically and effectively for the long-term strategic interests of UUM,” he said.
He also expressed hope that the new LPU leadership would continue to uphold a strong culture of governance characterised by collaboration, wisdom, and high commitment in driving the sustainability and excellence of UUM as an institution of knowledge and leadership.
Also present to enliven the ceremony were UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed; members of the UUM Board of Directors; members of the University Committee; members of the Senate; as well as representatives from various UUM associations, including PERSATU, PERPATI, KESKA, SETIA, SUTRANITA, and the Student Representative Council (MPP).
