Prof. Dr. Zaharin bin Yusoff
President
Multimedia University (MMU)
Prof. Dr. Zaharin Bin Yusoff, 52, a Computational Linguistics and Artificial Intelligence specialist, is the 2nd President of Multimedia University since 2nd January 2008. Prof. Dr. Zaharin earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Pure Mathematics with a First Class Honors and a Master of Science in Pure Mathematics with emphasis in Algebraic Geometry from the University of Kent, Canterbury, England. In 1987, he obtained his Doctorate in Computer Science specialising in Computational Linguistics from Universiti Sains Malaysia, while he conducted his research at GETA, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France.
His career begun in 1980 as a Lecturer in the School of Mathematics at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang. Soon after, he was chosen as the new Head of Department for the Computer Science Section under the School of Mathematics and Computer Sciences in 1991 due to his keen interest and significant research in the areas of Mathematics.
Through his excellent leadership, the School of Mathematics and Computer Sciences expanded and reformed into two Schools, whereby he became the founding dean of the School of Computer Science in 1995. He held that position until 2004 after which he served briefl y as the Dean of Research (ICT Platform), before joining Mimos Berhad in 2005. In Mimos, he served as the Head of Language Productisation Unit for a year.
He was then selected as Acting Senior Director in Knowledge Management Centre and became the Senior Director of Artificial Intelligence Centre in 2006, before being appointed as the Dean at College of Graduate Studies in Universiti Tenaga Malaysia (UNITEN).
The Excellent IT Award receiver was awarded the Certificate of Excellence in Service in 1990, 1993 and 1994 while serving in USM for his outstanding contribution to the university. He has been actively involved in research and received numerous research grants for projects that include:
- RACE Enterprise: Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) High Speed Modem Services, IGS (RM3.2 million) in 1999 to 2000, with Cronos Research Centre Sdn. Bhd. & Extol Group of Companies,
- Development of Data Mining Info-Structure for Delivering Strategic Data-Driven Services, IRPA (RM600,000) in 2000 to 2003,
- Personnel Telephony Management System, Industry Grant Scheme (RM3.4 million) in 2001 to 2002,
- ICT Knowledge, Services & Delivery Platform for Applications in Healthcare, Education & Business, IRPA prioritised (RM2.4 million) in 2002 to 2004,
- A Shrink-Wrapped Customisable Info-Commerce Automated Deployment System (or Shrink Wrapper), MSC Grant Scheme (RM2.7 million) in 2002 to 2004.
Prof Dr Zaharin has played an integral role as referee for Machine Translation Journal UK/USA since 1996. In March 1999, he was appointed as a fellow of the Malaysian Academy of Science. His other earlier major appointments are as a task force leader of Multimedia Super Corridor Telemedicine Flagship Application, Chairman of 7 Technical Panels for Industry Grant Scheme, Penang K-ICT Council and Chairman of Science Committee: Information Technology.
