Biographical Note

DIRECTOR OF NEW UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE

FOR GLOBAL HEALTH APPOINTED

 

(Reissued as received -- delayed in transmission.)

TOKYO, 2 March (UNU) -- The United Nations University (UNU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Mohamed Salleh Mohamed Yasin as Director of the newly established UNU International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH).  Based in Kuala Lumpur, UNU-IIGH is the newest addition to the global network of UNU Research and Training Centres/Programmes (UNU RTC/Ps).

Since May 2003, Mr. Salleh has served as Vice-Chancellor of the National University of Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM).  Since August 2006, he has served as Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Accreditation Board, Malaysia (Lembaga Akreditasi Negara (LAN)).  His previous positions with UKM include Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs (2000–2002); Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Development Affairs (1995–2000); Founder Dean, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (1992–1995); Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs, Faculty of Medicine (1990–1992); and Head, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine (1985–1990).  He has taught at UKM since 1974, and since 1992 has been a full Professor in the UKM Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences.  He is a graduate of Malay College Kuala Kangsar, and holds a Doctorandus degree from Bandung Institute of Technology ( Indonesia) and a Ph.D. from University of Bath, ( United Kingdom).

UNU-IIGH was established based on an agreement signed in May 2006 between UNU and the Government of Malaysia.  The mission of UNU-IIGH is to undertake research, capacity-development and the dissemination of knowledge related to key issues of human health.  The Institute seeks to contribute to the development and strengthening of health services policy frameworks and management actions, particularly for people in developing countries, and to support implementation of a preventive and promotive approach to human health.

“I’m very honoured to be the founding Director of such a new and innovative research centre on an issue of global importance”, said Mr. Salleh. He added that “in the current international context of such threats as avian flu, I am pleased that Malaysia can play, through UNU-IIGH, a role in enhancing the preparedness of developing countries to deal with such threats to human health.”

UN

U International Institute for Global Health is located at UKM Hospital in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.  Mr. Salleh’s appointment is effective 1 March 2007, and the Institute is scheduled to become operational by the middle of this year.

For further information about the global network of UNU RTC/Ps, see the UNU website http://www.unu.edu.  For more information about UNU-IIGH, or to request an interview with UNU-IIGH Director Salleh, please contact Naoko Yano, UNU Office of Communications, tel: +81 3 5467 1311; e-mail: media@unu.edu.

United Nations University (UNU) is an autonomous organ of the United Nations General Assembly dedicated to generating and transferring knowledge and strengthening capacities relevant to global issues of human security, development and welfare.  The University operates through a worldwide network of UNU Research and Training Centres/Programmes, coordinated by UNU Centre in Tokyo.

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For information media • not an official record