CONVOCATION MEDAL - FINALISTS cont…

Dato’ Ir Dr Abu Bakar Jaafar Environmental Scientist and Maritime Expert Malaysia Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) 1973 Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment A mechanical engineer by profession, an environmental scientist by specialisation and a maritime expert by current pre-occupation, Dato’ Ir Dr Jaafar has had a long and influential career in the Malaysian Public Service. Over a stellar career of 22 years, he was the Director-General of the Department of Environment, Deputy Director-General (Planning), Senior Controller (Engineering and Processes), Managing Director of Alam Sekitar, and Group Director of Technology. The Malaysian Government has recognised his achievements with numerous awards of Excellence in Public Service at both State and Federal levels. Since his retirement as Director-General, Dato’ Ir Dr Jaafar remains instrumental in setting the environmental agenda for Malaysia through his current work at the United Nations. He is the Adviser to the Malaysia National Committee on the Continental Shelf and is Secretariat to the National Security Council of the Prime Minister’s Department. He was nominated by the Government of Malaysia in (1997, 2002, 2007) and elected member (1977-2002)(2002-2007)(2007-2012) of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, one of the three organs established by the State Parties to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982. He also remains a Senior Adjunct Fellow of the Maritime Institute of Malaysia, a Director of UMT, a Member of the Malaysia’s National Council for Scientific Research and was appointed Chairman of its Environment Committee in April. Footnote of interest: Dato’ is a Malaysian title awarded by the Malaysian Royal Family, similar to Australia’s title of “Sir”.