Zaharin is In
By Najiah Najib
A PROFESSOR with experience in Computational Linguistics and Artificial Intelligence has been appointed as the new president of Multimedia University (MMU) effective Jan 2.
Prof Zaharin Yusoff, 52, who was formerly the Dean of College of Graduate Studies at Universiti Tenaga Malaysia (UNITEN), became the second president of MMU, replacing Prof Datuk Ghauth Jasmon who retired on Dec 31 after holding the post for 11 years.
A native of Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Zaharin joined UNITEN in 2007. Previously, he was at Universiti Sains Malaysia since 1980 where he started his career as a lecturer in the School of Mathematics.
Due to his interest and significant research in this area, he was chosen as the new department head for the Computer Science Section, School of Mathematics and Computer Sciences in 1991.
Under his leadership, the School of Mathematics and Computer Sciences was expanded and reformed into two schools. He was named the founding dean of the School of Computer Science in 1995. He held that position until 2004 after which he briefly served as Dean of Research (ICT Platform) before joining Mimos Berhad in 2005.
In Mimos, he served as the Language Productisation Unit head for a year before being appointed acting senior director in Knowledge Management Centre and became the senior director of Artificial Intelligence Centre in 2006.
He was then appointed as Dean of College of Graduate Studies in UNITEN.
Zaharin’s extensive experience in research and development areas are mainly in computational linguistics, such as machine translation, grammar formalisms, formal models of language, formal linguistics (Malay), lexical data bases, corpus bank and language tools.
Zaharin earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Pure Mathematics with First Class Honours and a Master of Science in Pure Mathematics with emphasis in Algebraic Geometry from the University of Kent, Canterbury, England.
In 1987, he obtained his Doctorate in Computer Science specialising in Computational Linguistics from Universiti Sains Malaysia, and conducted his research at GETA, Universite Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France.
While in Canterbury, Zaharin was awarded the Edward E. Lamb Prize for his excellent results. He also received the Certificate of Excellence in Service in 1990, 1993 and 1994 while in USM.
In 1994 and 1999, the Penang State Government awarded him Pingat Jasa Kebaktian and Bintang Cemerlang Negeri.
Zaharin has played an integral role as referee for Machine Translation Journal UK/USA since 1996. In March 1999, he was appointed as a fellow of the Malaysian Academy of Science.
Some of his earlier major appointments include task force leader of Multimedia Super Corridor Telemedicine Flagship Application, chairman of 7 Technical Panels for Industry Grant Scheme, Penang KICT Council and chairman of Science Committee: Information Technology.
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