Prof. Dr. Mohd Shahir Shamsir Omar

Professor Shahir has made significant contributions to the advancement of research and innovation in Malaysia’s higher education sector. He served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) from 2020 to 2023, where he played a pivotal role in shaping research strategies and fostering a culture of innovation. ​

One of his notable initiatives was championing the nationwide adoption of e-books as essential resources for research and learning. Starting with a pilot trial at UTHM, his efforts have led to widespread implementation across public universities, reflecting his commitment to modernizing academic resources and enhancing accessibility for faculty and students alike.​

Recognizing the importance of grassroots engagement, Professor Shahir actively provides training and mentorship to faculty members, ensuring the seamless integration of digital learning materials into academic curricula and research activities.​

Prior to his tenure at UTHM, he served as the Director of the Innovation and Commercialization Centre (ICC) from 2016 to 2019 and as the Deputy Director of the Research University at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) from 2012 to 2016. In these roles, he was instrumental in shaping policies and overseeing the management of intellectual property commercialization, consultancies, and contract research, further strengthening university-industry linkages. ​

With his extensive leadership experience and dedication to fostering research excellence, Professor Shahir continues to contribute to the academic community, now serving as an Elsevier Evangelist. His efforts in promoting the adoption of Elsevier resources for research planning and teaching underscore his vision for a more data-driven and informed academic ecosystem in Malaysia and beyond.​