Nilai U install First Chancellor

Former President, Prof Emeritus Tengku Dato’ Shamsul Bahrin, is appointed Chancellor of Nilai University.

Nilai University (Nilai U) formally install its former long-serving President, Prof Emeritus Tengku Dato’ Shamsul Bahrin as its first Chancellor. The installation ceremony was held during a luncheon ceremony on 17 August 2013 at the university’s sister company – Nilai Springs Resort Hotel. In accordance with university tradition the world over, the installation of the chancellor was a ceremony full of pomp and pageantry. A ceremonial mace and a special chancellor’s chair had been specially commissioned for the occasion and both instruments signify Nilai U’s motto of ‘Enrichment for Life’ and its guiding principles.

On hand to place the ceremonial Chancellor’s robes and cap as well as hand over the proclamation letter to Tengku Shamsul was Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Gan Kong Seng (Chairman of Nilai University Council and Nilai Resources Group). He took the opportunity to praise Tengku Shamsul for his undying commitment to improving quality of higher education in the country and for bringing his vast administrative experience to Nilai U. Tengku Shamsul in his acceptance speech, thanked Dr Gan for giving him this unique opportunity to serve as Chancellor, a position which very few academics get to hold.

Tengku Shamsul was the obvious choice for this prominent position given his illustrious career as an academic and administrator in University of Malaya and also his long association with Nilai U. He got his bachelor’s degree in Geography from University of Malaya in 1962. He then proceeded to obtain his Master’s degree in Geography from University of Sheffield in 1964. From then on, Tengku Shamsul fully immersed himself in the world of academia with a number of high profile appointments at University of Malaya.

Tengku Shamsul was named Head of Department of Geography in 1969, a position which he held with distinction until 1995. He was also made Professor of Southeast Asian Geography at the same institution in 1976. Tengku Shamsul also served as Dean for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences on two different occasions (1975-1978 / 1983-1992) as well as being a University Senate member from 1969 to 1998. Tengku Shamsul was a member of the University Council from 1975 to 1994.

Tengku Shamsul has been involved with Nilai University since it opened its doors in 1998, serving as President and Vice-Chancellor. Shortly after taking the reins of Nilai College (as it was then known), Tengku Shamsul was named President of the Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities (1999-2006). He is a strong advocate for helping deserving students to fulfil their potential through private higher education and has pushed for the offering of more scholarships from private institutions to help train a skilled and qualified workforce who will be a solid backbone for this nation. Tengku Shamsul has been instrumental in getting the institution progress from its humble beginnings as a ‘college’ to ‘university college’ (in 2008), and finally to a full-fledged ‘university’ last year.

At this same event, Nilai U unveiled its new coat of arms. The new crest was commissioned as the administrators wanted a symbol reflective of its status as a university and also for it to be a focal point for students and staff. The new coat of arms symbolises all its core values and its underlying philosophy that education is ‘Enrichment for Life’. The open book signifies the pursuit of knowledge as the central feature of this institution. It also symbolises mankind’s thirst for knowledge and the ability to communicate and pass on information. The building connotes a safe haven for learning while the six pillars represent trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. The lower half of the coat of arms proudly declares its Negeri Sembilan location.