Vice Chancellor

Asia Metropolitan University (AMU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Dato’ Dr. Ir. Ts. Annuar Mohd Saffar, as Vice Chancellor effective 2nd September 2025.

Professor Dato’ Dr. Annuar is a distinguished scholar-practitioner with extensive industrial experience in engineering, technology, management, business, and higher education leadership. He began his academic journey by pursuing studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia, USA, on a PETRONAS scholarship, earning a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering, a Master of Business Administration (Finance), and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering with Magna Cum Laude honours. He also holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from the University of South Australia, was an Advanced Engineering Fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT), and is an alumnus of the University of Oxford Business School.

A Professional Engineer (Ir.), Professional Technologist (Ts.), and HRDC Accredited Trainer, he brings a rare blend of academic rigour and industrial depth to the role. His career began at PETRONAS' ASEAN Bintulu Fertilizer plant as a project and plant engineer, before expanding into key leadership roles across public, private, and international platforms. Notably, he served as President and Group CEO of Kulim Technology Park Corporation (KTPC), spearheading the development of the 4,800-acre Kulim HiTech Park, attracting world-class investors and building cutting-edge facilities in advanced manufacturing, CNC, robotics, IT, and biotechnology.

Professor Dato’ Dr. Annuar has also made significant contributions to Malaysia’s innovation and economic development landscape as Vice President of Technology Park Malaysia, and CEO of KXP Airport City Holdings, His governance experience includes serving on the Board of Directors of Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), where he also chaired the Finance and Investment Committees, and holding adjunct professorships at Universiti Utara Malaysia and AMU. He previously held the role of President of the Asian Association of Business Incubation in Shanghai, PRC, and was a Consultant to The World Bank on entrepreneurship and business incubation.

For his exemplary service, he has received numerous honors, including the prestigious Dato’ Setia DiRaja Kedah (DSDK) bestowed by His Majesty The Sultan of Kedah, a Honorary Doctorate in Engineering from UniMAP, and acknowledgement in the Who’s Who in Engineering Malaysia (1st Edition), by the Board of Engineers’ Malaysia (BEM).

As AMU’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Annuar is committed to driving a bold new chapter of growth—enhancing academic quality, deepening industry linkages, and cultivating a dynamic and innovative learning environment. His vision is to transform AMU into a hub where quality education, innovation, and personal development converge, empowering graduates to thrive globally and make meaningful societal impact.

Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic

Dr Hassan Basri holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from University College Dublin, a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Manipal University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom.

He began his professional career with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), where he gained early exposure to healthcare delivery, clinical practice, and public health systems. In 2014, he joined the University of Cyberjaya’s Faculty of Allied Health Sciences and was later appointed as Director for the Centre of Collaborative Programmes, overseeing franchise and collaborative partnerships.

He subsequently served as Senior Director of Academic Affairs, leading institutional academic management, governance, and quality assurance. Over the years, he has developed broad expertise in academic management, research development, and policy implementation.

With two decades of professional experience across government service and higher education, Dr Hassan Basri now serves as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic). In this role, he provides strategic leadership in advancing academic affairs and strengthening research excellence, while ensuring institutional alignment with both national regulations and global standards.

Registrar & Director, Centre For Academic, Industry and International Collaboration

Ms Massumi is the University Registrar where she is responsible, among others, providing the leadership to plan, organise and manage all the activities related to records, students’ admissions and registration under Admission and Records Department cum Academic Affairs, Examination Department, University Senate and Governance Unit. As the Registrar she is also responsible on the library management and leading the library team on the planning the library collections, exploring resources of knowledge, providing training to academics and non-academics on matters related to publishing, copywriting and other related matters. Ms Massumi is also responsible to lead the convocation team in supervising the coordination, evaluation and certification of all graduation applications, while overseeing the complete graduation process to include all elements of the rehearsal and the convocation ceremony to ensure positive student experiences.

Before joining AMU, Ms Massumi served few other academic institutions in senior management positions such as the Head of Student Affairs, Admissions and Records (STAAR) in a Maritime University for 7 years and was the Programme Coordinator for Foundation Studies for 4 years. She joined AMU in 2019 as a Manager in Admission and Records Department and after a year she was promoted to lead Centre for Academic, Industry and International Collaboration (CAIC) as the Director of the Centre. She served the Centre for 2 years before being promoted as a Registrar in March 2022. Ms Massumi has over 15 years of academic experience and her passion in education has helped students achieving their dreams.

Ms Massumi holds a Master of Science in Information Management from UiTM, Bachelor of Management (Hons.) from Multimedia University, Diploma in Banking from UiTM and Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Methodology (PGCTM) from AMU. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Management (PhDM) in AMU.

Prior to her academic career, Ms Massumi was a banker and has served RHB Bank for 12 years in various departments before she decided to change her career direction from banking industry to academic. She has received many incentives and awards during her banking service and besides her academic experience, her industry experience and connections play some crucial parts in her current position as the Registrar.

Director, Centre for Quality Assurance.

Madam Karthiga Murugan is the Director, for the Centre of Quality Assurance. Her responsibilities revolves in defining and promoting quality mindset across entire university while establishing a quality system to ensure the university facilities, equipment, personnel, methods, processes and procedures conform to both internal guidelines and regulatory standards.

Prior to Joining AMU, she has obtained several hands on skills from the manufacturing industries, including managerial exposure in quality management system, supply Chain and production planning. She has attained knowledge on outcome based education practices by attending international conference on iCGPA, obtaining professional qualification on Teaching Methodology and actively engaged in the team work of Curriculum design & review practices at university level and also train the trainer certificate from NIOSH Malaysia. She also conducted internal training for academic staffs related to outcome base education.

Mdm Karthiga gained her tertiary qualification with a Master Of Science in Occupational Safety & Management from University Utara Malaysia , Post Graduate certificate in Teaching Methodology from Asia Metropolitan University and Bachelor of Industrial Technology (Hons) from University Science Malaysia.

Both industrial and professional academic qualification has enthused her to be a passionate trainer as well as an academic , who loves working with people. Her commitment to making learning enjoyable and fun comes from a friendly and interactive style. She has a unique ability to relate to people from all levels that makes her sessions learner oriented.

Director, Centre for Postgraduate Studies

Prior to joining AMU, Associate Professor Dr. Hari is employed full time at Lincoln University College and on part-time basis at several business schools; Malvern International Academic (University of Wales affiliated (UoW)), Knowledge Universe (University of the West of Scotland (UWS), Paris Institute of Management (IPE), University of South Wales and Northern Borneo University College). Hari also served as dissertation examiner for Horizon University of France, Alagappa University of India and Adjunct Lecturer at Guangdong University of Finance.

Associate Professor Dr. Hari completed his PhD in Educational Psychology at a renowned and oldest teacher training university, Sultan Idris Education University Malaysia. His research is on Emotional Intelligence among the youth of Malaysia. Associate Professor Dr. Hari’s journey to a doctorate is empowered by my Master in Management (University of La-Rochelle), Master in Information Technology (Open University Malaysia) and degree in Arts and Social Sciences majoring in International Strategies Studies (University of Malaya). Various degrees had Associate Professor Dr. Hari a multi-disciplinary person.

Associate Professor Dr. Hari’s academic qualifications and previous job experiences as a business development manager have enabled him to move forward confidently in the academic world. He enjoys developing new course modules, course criteria, course proposals and validations.
Associate Professor Dr. Hari had supervised more than 50 MBA and 9 DBA/PhD graduates in completing their respective dissertation.

Dato’ Hj Abd Rashid Bin Hj Mohd Sharif holds a Master’s Degree in Art and Design Education from De Montfort University, United Kingdom, a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design from MARA University of Technology and an Art Teachers’ Diploma from MARA University of Technology. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Management to broaden his expertise in research and strategic leadership.

With 35 years of experience in educational strategic leadership, compliance, and communication, Dato’ Hj Abd Rashid has a solid foundation in education business and management. His extensive background enables him to guide and develop high-calibre professionals in achieving institutional goals.

He is well-versed in implementing communication programmes that strengthen relationships with ministries, government agencies, local authorities, and partner institutions. He has consistently provided strategic oversight and operational leadership to ensure effective management of institutional activities.

Dato’ Hj Abd Rashid is also experienced in pedagogy, particularly in enhancing student interaction and ensuring effective delivery of programme objectives. He believes motivation is essential to achieving personal and professional aspirations.