Latest news with #ViceChancellor
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
A-G Report: UKM awarded over RM66m tenders to unqualified firms, broke procurement rules
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 — Three out of the seven procurement tenders by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) totalling RM66.64 million were found to not comply with the stipulated procurement procedures, according to the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 2/2025 tabled in the Dewan Rakyat today. The report revealed that the UKM Tender Procurement Committee had selected companies that were not recommended by the Technical Evaluation Committee, Financial Evaluation Committee and Pre-Tender Committee. 'There were serious irregularities and weaknesses in the tender procurement process and procurement management governance at UKM. The Tender Procurement Committee's decisions were made collectively by all members. 'This includes the Pre-Tender Committee, which endorsed a company that had failed at the Tender Evaluation Committee level for the project involving the upgrading and replacement of 16 elevator units,' it added. The report also stated that the Vice-Chancellor, as the Procurement Committee chairman, is responsible for ensuring the university's operations and procurement governance are carried out properly, in line with subsection 12(3) of the UKM Constitution and the principle of duty of care. According to the report, UKM also failed to appoint a representative from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) as a member of the Procurement Committee, while the appointed representative from the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) did not attend meetings regarding the three tenders. Among the non-compliances identified were the selection of a supplier for Linear Accelerator (LINAC) equipment that did not meet integration specifications with the existing system (ARIA), and taking a company that had failed at the technical level for food catering services to the final tender stage. The report also revealed that a tender was awarded to a company listed as an ailing project for elevator replacement works, in addition to disregarding the recommendations of three key evaluation committees. This decision resulted in the tender being awarded to a company not capable of fulfilling the contract within the stipulated period. As an improvement measure, the National Audit Department recommended that UKM revise its procurement guidelines to align with Treasury Circulars and ensure strict monitoring of LINAC equipment supply and elevator replacement works at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) so that the work schedule is adhered to. 'In addition, disciplinary action is also recommended against officers and committee members involved, subject to the decision of the KPT's Internal Investigation Committee,' it added. — Bernama
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Secrets about Prince William and Kate Middleton's St Andrews love story revealed as royal author says the future Princess of Wales was 'very shy'
As the two graduands sat in the grand Younger Hall, they heard a speech from the Vice Chancellor that would prove prophetic for the couple. Vice Chancellor Brian Lang told the audience in 2005 that St Andrews prides itself on being 'Britain's top matchmaking university' and that one in ten students would go on to marry.
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
University of Bradford vice-chancellor to retire
The University of Bradford's vice-chancellor is to retire at the end of the year to spend more time with her Shirley Congdon is the university's eighth vice-chancellor and became the first woman to hold the position when she was appointed in August her tenure the university has been ranked number one in the Higher Education Policy Institute's Social Mobility Index for four years in a Congdon, 64, said it had been an "honour" to lead the university where she has worked since 2009. In statement she said: "The last six years have presented many challenges and opportunities and I am proud to have led the university with such an amazing group of people."Decisions such as these are always difficult but I truly believe that as the university enters its 60th year in 2026, it will rise to new heights and will continue to make a difference through its approach to learning, teaching and research."It has been an honour to serve as its vice-chancellor and I will miss both the place and the people."The process of recruiting a new vice-chancellor will begin shortly, the university announcement comes a day after the University and College Union announced its members at Bradford were to stage 10 days of walk outs over plans to cut jobs and course in order to save £ university said, like others in the higher education sector, it faced "significant financial challenges".Paying tribute to Prof Congdon's work, Rod Bristow, who chairs the university's governing body, said her commitment to her role was "both significant and inspirational". "Her stewardship of the University of Bradford has included some tremendous achievements, not least of which has been placing equality and opportunity at the heart of everything we do, in addition to steering a path through the challenging landscape in which the higher education sector finds itself," he said. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
The Herald
10-06-2025
- Science
- The Herald
UFS inaugurates new vice-chancellor and principal
Professor Hester Klopper was officially inaugurated as the 15th vice-chancellor and principal of the University of the Free State (UFS) and is the first woman to lead the university in its 121-year history, in a ceremony at its Bloemfontein campus on Monday. She was appointed to this position on February 1. In her inaugural address, titled 'Walking Together with Purpose: Unlocking Excellence to Lead Change' , Klopper outlined her vision to transform UFS into a research-led powerhouse that harnesses artificial intelligence while preserving human connection and African identity. Klopper challenged the higher education sector to confront an uncomfortable reality about the pace of technological change vs educational transformation. 'Artificial intelligence capabilities are advancing exponentially, doubling in power every few months. However, our educational systems remain fundamentally unchanged from their industrial-era origins. 'We are preparing students for a world that is transforming faster than we can imagine, using methods designed for a world that no longer exists,' she said. Klopper emphasised that it was essential for UFS to find its place and purpose in confronting the challenges faced by the higher education sector, and not merely emulate what other institutions were doing. 'The question before us is not whether we will adapt — it is whether we will step up and lead this transformation or be swept aside by it,' she said. Klopper shared her vision of UFS as 'a true entrepreneurial knowledge ecosystem, thriving on the creative synergy produced when our best academic minds work together across our three campuses, allowing us to be the very best we can be'. She emphasised that preparing students for the world of work will focus on 'their ability to think creatively, to empathise deeply, to ask the right questions, to challenge assumptions, and to work collaboratively with both humans and artificial intelligence'.
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
University of Lincoln staff vote strike action over redundancies
Staff at the University of Lincoln have voted in favour of strike action over plans to shed nearly 300 University and College Union (UCU), which has been calling for compulsory redundancies to be ruled out, said 86% of its members who voted had backed a walkout. The dispute is over the university's proposals to cut up to 285 staff with cuts falling across a number of areas, including the Lincoln International Business School and the history department among a statement, the University of Lincoln said: "We have plans in place to minimise any disruption to teaching or the student experience if industrial action goes ahead." The union acknowledged there were challenges across the educational sector but said the crisis had been handled "especially poorly" at the University of said the crisis had been made worse by careless spending decisions and a management team operating with little input from academic staff, or accountability for their general secretary Jo Grady said: "Yearly cuts had damaged staff morale and management must begin listening to their concerns. "If the vice-chancellor continues to refuse to change direction and rule out compulsory redundancies then we will be forced to strike."A University of Lincoln spokesperson said its priority was to "put students first" and it had a "clear vision and plan" amid the financial pressures facing UK universities."We remain committed to meaningful dialogue with trades unions as we reshape the university, in line with our refreshed strategy, to meet the needs of the students, communities and businesses we serve."They said the university expected to "achieve a breakeven position due to careful management of finances over the past two years".Last month, a vote of no confidence was passed in the senior leadership team in response to "the direction the university is going in and the decisions that have been made". Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
