MONASH University has appointed Datuk Prof Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman as the university’s new CEO, Monash University Malaysia and pro vice-chancellor and president (Malaysia), Monash University Australia.
Dr Adeeba will commence in the new role in May 2023, joining Monash from University Malaya (UM) where she is Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, and Director, Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA).
Prior to this appointment, Dr Adeeba held the position of Dean, Faculty of Medicine at UM and as Dean, her transformational leadership was evident through her robust medical undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum reforms.
In 2017, Professor Adeeba established CERiA, the only dedicated multidisciplinary research centre in Malaysia dedicated to HIV research in the community.
She is also currently chair of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, co-chair of the WHO Science Council and Commissioner for the Global Commission on Drug Policy.
Dr Adeeba has had a long association with Monash University, graduating from the university in 1987 and trained in internal medicine and infectious diseases at the Monash Medical Centre and Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
In 2015, she was conferred the Doctor of Laws honoris causa (honorary doctorate) by Monash University Deputy Chancellor Yehudi Blacher in recognition of her outstanding contributions to infectious diseases research and as a health advocate.
“As an alumnus I am honoured to come full circle and be entrusted to helm Monash University Malaysia, one of Malaysia’s premier higher education institutions,” she shared.
“I look forward to working with colleagues in Monash Australia and Indonesia as well as strengthening collaborations with local universities especially UM and Sunway University where our campus is located to advance excellence in education and research.”
According to Dr Adeeba, the COVID-19 pandemic had highlighted the fact that a successful response to complex global challenges such as the pandemic, climate change and inequities will only happen with collaborations and partnerships.
Meanwhile, Monash University President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AC said Professor Adeeba was a leader in her field, and instrumental in the revision of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme and the National Postgraduate Medical Curriculum project at UM.
“Dr Adeeba is an exceptional academic leader, initiating the development of UM Health, a harmonisation of the Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry faculties with the University of Malaya Medical and Specialist Centres,” she said.
“As a scholar, Dr Adeeba has vigorously pursued and applied her research interests to focus on adopting a pragmatic and effective approach to HIV prevention in key populations, including people who use drugs and prisoners.
“Her significant contributions to Malaysia’s education agenda, as well as her unwavering commitment and dedication to HIV prevention and treatment programs, will enhance Monash’s reputation as a critical educational institution to drive Malaysia and the Southeast Asia region’s excellence agendas in education and research.” – Jan 31, 2023
