New Horizons for VP Ir Prof Lee Sze Wei

 Ir Prof Lee Sze Wei 

Farewell Lunch for Prof Lee
Seated from left: Prof Chuah, Ir Datuk Hong Lee Pee, Prof Lee, Prof Faidz and Prof Cheong 

Over the past 9 years, Ir Prof Dr Lee Sze Wei held the reins as the Vice President of R&D and Commercialisation (RDC) at UTAR, leading the university to new heights in R&D excellence and international collaborations on research projects and staff participation in research initiatives. Effective 1 September 2018, Prof Lee will move on to new horizons at another institution where he will assume a new position. 

Prof Lee’s strong commitment to the job, his vast knowledge in R&D and his strategic leadership in leading the team are undeniable. Under Prof Lee, research projects, funding and activities flourished. The number of research publications improved, and so did the international and industry research collaborations. 

In particular, Prof Lee’s contributions to STEM education brought him to voluntary work in numerous schools in the country, creating renewed awareness on the importance of STEM education among school students and teachers. He implemented the School Mentorship programme and with the support of UTAR academic staff, school children and teachers in several states in the country were given free classes and hands-on training on Science, Math and IT practical experiments and projects with the aim of making learning more fun in the context of applications to daily living. 

In addition, his leadership in chairing the KL Engineering and Science Fair (KLESF) exhibitions over the years to promote STEM has led to increased participation from all sectors ranging from government agencies, public and private schools, colleges and universities, industry leaders, corporations, organisations, SMEs and NGOs. More than 40,000 students and the public flocked to the KLESF for its various interesting and hands-on activities. 

Prof Lee joined UTAR in October 2008 where he commenced employment as the Director of the Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research (IPSR). At that time, UTAR’s strategized to focus on R&D and postgraduate studies after establishing itself in undergraduate programmes. Prof Lee and his IPSR team helped to prepare the groundwork especially the setting up of policies, rules & regulations, framework and programmes that needed to be set up in order for the university establishment and environment to be supportive and conducive for R&D. 

In mid-2009, Prof Lee was promoted to be the Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation. He continued his efforts in setting up and implementing a conducive and effective framework for R&D in UTAR but with wider responsibilities that included looking after consultancy, entrepreneurship & commercialization development and the IT infrastructure and software support for the entire university. 

A farewell lunch was held at Sungai Long Campus for Prof Lee on 27 August 2018 by his staff and those who worked closely with him. 

In his speech, Prof Lee said, “During my service in UTAR for the past 10 years, I have learned a lot especially in terms of the allocation of funding and resources of an academic institution for optimum effectiveness and impact. I frequently share with colleagues that they should treat the money of the university like their own money and spend wisely.  

It is indeed through the R&D framework and culture that we have progressed this far, and the consistent practice of cost effectiveness that have enabled us to achieve what we are today in terms of international academic recognition.  

Finally, I would like to thank UTAR for giving me the opportunity to develop and grow to be what I am today. I have truly enjoyed working with UTAR. I wish my colleagues and students in UTAR all the best.”

UTAR congratulates Prof Lee on his new position and wishes him even greater success and achievements in the years ahead. 

Prof Lee receiving a token from Prof Chuah. With them are Prof Faidz and Ms Yim Lin Heng