SHAH ALAM, 14 JUNE 2022 – Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pro-Chancellor Tun (Dr) Arshad Ayub has died peacefully at 2.06 this morning at KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital today. He was 93 years old. An education icon beloved by UiTM graduates, the late Tun Arshad was the first Director of Institut Teknologi MARA (ITM) from October 1967 to March 1975.
Born on 15 November 1928 in Muar Johor, the late Tun Arshad was the Founder and Principal of Kolej Perniagaan dan Pengajian Profesional MARA. He was appointed Pro-Chancellor of UiTM since 31 March 2000. He had served as Secretary General for three ministries, and was also appointed Deputy Governor of Bank Negara. ITM during his administration made history when it became the first institution of higher learning to pioneer a twinning programme with Ohio University, USA. Among the major contributions of the late Tun Arshad was the introduction of professional accounting studies (ACCA) and law (LLB) in Malaysia. He also introduced other professional courses such as Business Management, General Distribution and Property Management at ITM, now UiTM. He also advocated the use of English as a medium of learning and teaching at UiTM, which remains to this day. The late Tun Arshad Ayub will always be remembered as one of the individuals who succeeded in achieving the educational targets of the New Economic Policy (NEP).
He was conferred the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Setia Mahkota (SSM), carrying the title ‘Tun’ by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah in 2020.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Ts. Dr. Roziah Mohd Janor and the entire UiTM family are deeply saddened by the passing of the late Tun (Dr) Arshad Ayub who was a beloved mentor of the university, as well as an education leader in the country.
“We extend our condolences and deepest sympathies to his wife, Toh Puan Zaleha Mohd Arshad, and family members. May his soul be at peace and placed among the righteous,” said Prof. Datuk Roziah.