Tan Sri Ahmad Zaharudin Idrus

Director & Chairman

Tan Sri Ahmad Zaharudin Idrus

Tan Sri Ahmad Zaharudin Idrus is a distinguished figure in Malaysian science and technology, with over four decades of contributions spanning academia, government, and industry.

He holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from the University of Malaya, and postgraduate degrees from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, including a Master of Science (1971) and a Ph.D. (1974).

He served as Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of Malaysia (2001–2006) and Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) (1994–2001), where he played a vital role in shaping Malaysia’s science, technology, and engineering landscape.

Throughout his career, Tan Sri Ahmad Zaharudin has held key leadership roles including:

Chairman, Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT)
Chairman, Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation
Chairman, CTRM Sdn Bhd
President, Academy of Science Malaysia
Controller, SIRIM (Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia)
Managing Director, PETRONAS Research and Scientific Services

His international experience also includes serving as Chairman of Colombia Air (USA).

In recognition of his remarkable contributions, Tan Sri Ahmad Zaharudin has received numerous awards and honors, including:

Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (France, 2004)
ASEAN Achievement Award for Science (1997)
Norway Award for Outstanding Contribution to Technology (1993)
Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM, Tan Sri, 2000)
Pingat Jasa Negara (PJN, Datuk, 1999)
Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka (DMSM, Datuk, 1996)

He also holds several honorary doctorates from institutions including the University of Portsmouth, Loughborough University, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and Open University Malaysia.