Mak Engku was eldest on my father'sside. She was a strong woman yet poised and elegant. I am deeply suddened by her death

New Sunday Sun,

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c HEROES OF 2008You inspire meMandy Johnson,BritishCouncilMalaysiadirectorI CAN'T imagine anyone notbeing moved or inspiredwhen they hear United Statespresident-elect Barrack Obamaspeak.He is like a breath of fresh airin a stale political arena.He has a vision for the world,and the role of the US in it,which places cultural relationsat the core of international rela-tions.He recognises the value oflistening and discussing issuesto reach a settlement, whichis a great improvement on hispredecessors' approach.Peter Ng,UC5lUnwe~ftypresidentandvicechancellorPROFESSOR Kim W. Chan, BlueOcean Strategy co-writer andFellow of the World EconomicForum, has been a constantsource of inspiration and a per-sonal and professional mentor.UCSI adopted his principles toshape its identity and approach.A meeting with him in 2006sparked a partnership that led tothe formation of the UCSI BlueOcean Strategy Regional Centre,which will be the regional hubfor promoting BOS tenets.His impressive track record,and unshakeable belief in thecalibre of UCSI have inspired uscollectively - and myself spe-cifically - to aim for the stars.Dr Volker Wolf,Goethe-InstitutMalaysiadirectorI AM inspired by InstitutTerjemahan Negara Malaysiadirector Mohd Khair Ngadironbecause of his tirelesspromotionof Malaysian caricaturist Lat inGermany this year.His team was successful in itscooperation with a German pub-lisher duri~g the pres~ntationofLat's book In the language.He is focused on his vision andintegrates his theoretical andtechnical competencies within apractical and diplomatic manner.His acknowledgement of thecontributions of others is also atrait I admire.I admire him for his com-pleteness, humane talents andcharacter.Elizabeth Lee,5unwayUnive~ity Collegeand5unwayGroupof Collegesexecu-tivedirectorBEING a teacher, first and fore-most, I look at other great edu-cators, the greatest of whom, tome, is Jesus Christ.I learnt to teach using analo-gies like Christ told parables.Now and then, I use Christ's ex-ampies as they make sense andstill apply to modern-day living.What Christ "speaks" of arebased on good-for-eternity. values, from which we can drawtremendous wisdom.He had an answer for everyquestion, a prescription for anysituation and a solution to everyproblem.Professor Datuk AminahAyob,UniversitiPerguruan5ultanIdrisvicechancellorPROFESSOR Datuk Tunku IsmailMat Jiwa was the dean of Uni-versiti Sains Malaysia's School ofEducation in the 1980s.He was fair and a friend to hisstaff. But he was strict when itcame to work:As a vice chancellor now, Imodel my leadership style onhim, particularly the way heboosted morale among his staffand carried himself.He gave me a lot of responsi-bilities because he believed thatthe more yeu do, the more youlearn.Professor Datuk NikMustapha R Abdullah,Universiti Putra Malaysia vicechancellorMAK Engku was the eldest onmy father's side. She was astrong woman yet poised andelegant. I am deeply saddenedby her'death.She moulded my personalityby~instilling good values in meand putting strong emphasis onreligion.Mak Engku was the matriarchof the family. I often sought heradvice..As I settled down and startedmy own family, I couldn't helpbut askmyself "What wouldMak Engku do?" if I encoun-tered a problem ..Professor Datuk DrSharifah' Hapsah.SyedHasan Shahabudin,Universiti Kebangsaan Malaya-sia (UKM) vice chancellorWARGA UKM - students,academics and administrative,technical and support staff -inspired me the most this year.They demonstrated the UKMspirit as the national university,dedicated to nation-buildingand the promotion of nationalidentity through Bahasa Malay-sia, while striving to be one ofthe world's leading universities.Becauseof them I am de-termined to provide the bestphysical, social and psychologi-cal milieu for working,'learningand innovating.Professor Datuk ZainiUjang,Universiti Teknologi Malaysia(UTM) vice chancellor.THE person who inspired methe most is UTM Board ofDirectors chairman and formerChief Secretary to the MalaysianGovernment Tan Sri Halim Ali.A soft spoken former chiefdiplomat, Halim has challengedme to transform UTM from"good to great", from.a toplocal technical university to aglobal player.It's a tall order but somethingI aspire to realise. His advice,often said in a casual man-ner, is thought provoking andinspiring.Professor Tan Sri DzulkifliAbdul Razak,UniversitiSains Malaysia vicechancellorMY father Datuk Abdul RazakAbdul Hamid continues toinspire me with his humility,honesty, hard work and "heartwork" (the intangibles such as'spirituality), harmony and avoid-ing hypocrisy.This 83-year-old survivor ofthe 1945 Hiroshima atomicbombing teaches me that bybeing humble, one will alwaysbe in a learning mode.His philosophy continues tobe a guide to the way of lifethat we have lost.Professor Datuk GhauthJasmon,University of Malaya (UM) vicechancellorAMONG the responsibilities ofbeing UM's 10th YC is to leadthe university to new heights.Prophet Muhammad hasconvinced me that nothing isimpossible. He was appointedthe Messenger of Allah at 40to lead not only a tribe but allhumankind.He was the seal of all Proph-ets, a husband, a father, a gen-eral on battlefields, a leader, areligious scholar and an adviser.He was trustworthy, wise andtruthful, among other traits.

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