KUALA LUMPUR: Asia's prominent entrepreneur and AirAsia group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes has been appointed as an adjunct professor at Universiti Malaya for a period of three years.
In a statement today, Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman said his wealth of experience in the aviation industry and business leadership will bring invaluable insights and inspiration to students, lecturers and the university.
Fernandes is best known for transforming AirAsia into one of Asia's largest and most successful airlines, he said.
"AirAsia, under his leadership, has become a household name, revolutionising air travel across the region.
"Universiti Malaya will continue to deepen our partnerships with key industrial leaders and institutions, jointly contributing to national and global developments in future critical sectors that will shape the nation's next frontier and for future generations.
"This remains a central part of our forward-looking approach in galvanising our collective strength and in emphasising new pioneering impactful synergy with key industries in benefitting our human capital and in empowering nation-building."
Noor Azuan said the essence of key human capital remained pivotal in providing the industrial exposure to the undergraduates; and that Fernandes' presence reflects the strategic synergy of being future-driven in creating new domains of teaching and learning experience for the campus community.
This would incorporate the best of industry expertise in complementing our academic and research tools, he said.
"The end result would be of great importance to the higher goal of industrialising new outcomes of impact-driven results for the good of our nation in terms of skill and knowledge cultivation," he said.
With over 35 years of experience in various industries, Fernandes' appointment as an adjunct professor is expected to provide students unparalleled access to industry expertise, bridging academic knowledge with real-world business practices.
He will deliver multiple lectures, seminars, and workshops annually and assist the university in developing strategic partnerships with national and international organisations.
"His leadership and achievements will serve as an inspiration not only to students but also to faculty members, enriching the programmes offered by the university.
"In his role, Fernandes will be instrumental in utilising his industry experience to enhance program development and structure at the university," read the statement.
An adjunct professor is a part-time professor who typically has a primary career outside of academia.