Former Vice-Chancellors of Universiti Tenaga Nasional
Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) has been shaped by visionary leaders who have guided its growth into a premier energy-focused university.
Since its establishment, UNITEN's vice-chancellors have each contributed uniquely to its development; from building its academic foundation, to fostering a culture of unity and collaboration, and most recently empowering the “industrialisation” agenda that strengthens industry partnerships and elevates the university's global standing through international collaborations.
1997 - 2000
Foundational Vision & Campus Expansion
As the inaugural Rector, Dr. Tajul Arus Noh laid the foundational architecture of UNITEN, transforming it from a corporate training institute into a full-fledged university. He spearheaded early campus expansion and set the core mission to deliver premium-tier academic programs in engineering, information technology, and business for both local and global students.
2001 - 2006
Research Frameworks & Infrastructure Growth
The second Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato' Dr. Zainul Abidin Md. Sharrif, steered UNITEN toward becoming a robust, research-capable institution. Under his leadership, the university expanded its advanced laboratory infrastructure, modernized technical curricula, and formalized early research funding mechanisms to keep pace with rapid technological advancements.
2007 - 2014
Global Engagement & Institutional Identity
Prof. Dato' Seri Ir. Dr. Mashkuri Yaacob catalyzed UNITEN’s international profile, fostering key global academic alliances and launching dedicated research institutes. He also unified the university’s internal culture, championing a collaborative, inclusive environment that strengthened institutional identity across all campuses.
2015 - 2022
Innovation, Sustainability & Green Campus Initiatives
Under the stewardship of Prof. Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Kamal Nasharuddin Mustapha, UNITEN achieved prestigious benchmarks including Tier 5 (Excellent) SETARA ratings. He aggressively advanced the "Smart UniverCity Campus" initiative, embedding environmental sustainability into university operations and aligning research outputs directly with national energy and innovation goals.
2022 - 2023
Industrialization & Global Academic Integration
Biomechanical expert Prof. Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Noor Azuan Abu Osman focused heavily on the dual pillars of industrialization and internationalization. He expanded integrated international postdoctoral researchers, and established strategic corporate partnerships that directly improved graduate employability and enriched global research outputs.
