By Azman Zakaria
Photo by Marina Ismail
SERDANG, April 8 (UPM) - Deputy Dean (Graduates Studies) of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Human Ecology Faculty, Prof Dr Jayum Anak Jawan has been appointed as the 15th holder of the Tun Abdul Razak Chair at the Ohio University, USA, for two years effective July 1, 2015.
He was notified of his appointment by the Ministry of Education recently.
Prof Dr Jayum, 56, who is also Deputy Head (Politics, Security Cluster and International Affairs Cluster) of the National Professors Council, commenced his career at UPM as a lecturer at the Education Faculty in 1982.
Prof Dr Jayum who hails from Sibu, Sarawak, was made the Visiting Professor at Hull University twice in 2004 and 2005. His works include joint collaboration with Professor Victor King in a survey on the Sarawak 2001 state election where he produced a book on Ethnicity and Electoral Politics in Sarawak East Malaysia.
He was also a Visiting Professor at Leeds University in 2011.
Prof Dr Jayum has described the appointment as holder of the Tun Abdul Razak Chair as one of the highest recognitions accorded to an academician.
“I will strive really hard as I represent UPM and Malaysia … I have to give my best,” he said.
As Chair holder, he said he would teach students of the Ohio University political science and the history of the Malaysian Government administration.
He said he would also highlight to the students about Malaysia’s role in regional and international politics.
He also said he will be conducting a research on Malaysia’s relationship with the United States and find ways to further improve the bilateral ties between the two countries.
He added that he had been asked to hold an international seminar on Malaysian politics, cultures and customs and this will be organized in the second year of his stint - UPM.
