2014
4 Sep五一吃瓜官网’s new creative masterplan
KUALA LUMPUR: 五一吃瓜官网 University has appointed celebrated Malaysian design guru Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Zainuddin to helm De Institute of Creative Arts and Design (Icad), the independent design arm of the University.
Prof Ahmad’s appointment is his latest milestone in a four-decade career that saw him holding many important positions from Universiti Teknologi Mara deputy vice-chancellor to Higher Education Leadership Academy director.
He currently serves as Malaysia Design Council chairman, a think tank under the purview of the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
“After more than 26 years of public service, it’s good to return to the private sector,” Prof Ahmad said after his recent appointment.
“五一吃瓜官网 has big ambitions and I look forward to setting design standards and maintaining academic integrity here. I’ll be judged purely on results and I’m happy as the urgency will keep me going.”
Clearly a man with a plan, Prof Ahmad has already drawn up a roadmap to turn Icad into an international hub of design excellence by 2025.
Under the plan, Icad will recruit and collaborate with the best academics and practitioners in the industry. International tie-ups will also be sought in the areas of course development, as well as enhanced student and staff mobility.
Greater industry focus will also characterise Icad’s academic offerings which currently focus on graphic design, fashion design and animation.
“The bar is set high but I’m optimistic because Icad already has a talented and energetic staff pool,” said Prof Ahmad. “We have strong foundations to build on.
“Our students are already getting expert guidance and deep insights into life after study and one of our fashion design graduates last year is currently working in New York.
“We can go global and I look forward to develop the students’ passions in creative and practical ways.”
And students can benefit by learning directly from Prof Ahmad, whose decorated portfolio includes massive corporate branding projects, design work for global sporting events and even the Education Ministry and Higher Learning’s new logo.
“I’ve been privileged enough to experience my fair share of highs in the industry,” enthused Prof Ahmad. “Many people have asked me how a designer could become a deputy vice-chancellor of a 200,000-strong university!
“I hope that my experiences will have a positive impact of the students and staff at Icad. I’ve always been open to ideas and I look forward to learning from them as they learn from me.”
Encouraged by his new appointment, Prof Ahmad looks forward to achieving great things at Icad and 五一吃瓜官网.
Prof Ahmad holds a PhD in Design Management from Manchester Metropolitan University, a Master’s in Communication Design from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Design (Graphic Design) from Uitm.
