There’s nothing we enjoy more at SMAPIANS.COM than seeing one of our own climb the academic ladder, and today, we’re absolutely chuffed to bits. The Ministry of Higher Education has officially confirmed that Prof. Dr. Ahmad Martadha Mohamed (Class of ’85) has been appointed as the 11th Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), effective 16th December 2025 until 15th December 2027.
For those who remember the Class of ’85 back at our temporary playground in UIA Petaling Jaya, Ahmad Martadha was always going places, though we suspect even he didn’t imagine he’d be running a university up north four decades later!
After finishing his SPM, the young Martadha headed across the pond to the United States. He clearly took a liking to the American Midwest, bagging a Bachelor’s in Political Science at Southern Illinois University before heading to Indiana State for his Master’s in Public Administration. Not satisfied with just the two, he returned to Southern Illinois to clinch his PhD.
Prof. Martadha isn’t just a scholar; he’s a seasoned hand at the wheel of university governance. He’s been a fixture at UUM since 2005, serving in various high-stakes roles — from looking after student development and entrepreneurship to steering the ship as Director of Strategic Planning.
Most recently, he’s been the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni). We like to think his time dealing with alumni gave him the patience and the wisdom of a sage, qualities he’ll surely need in the top job!
At 57, Prof. Martadha represents the very best of the school’s spirit: academic excellence, leadership and a commitment to serving the nation.
Congratulations, Prof! We couldn’t be prouder to see a ’85 alum leading one of Malaysia’s premier institutions.
