Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Abdul Rahman Arshad autographs his books for guests

73 years young: A birthday cake was brought out during the event to celebrate Tan Sri’s birthday which was on the first day of Hari Raya Aidiladha. He is accompanied by his wife, Puan Sri Noorhayati

Kuala Lumpur, 01 December 2009 - UCSI University, in collaboration with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Dawama Sdn. Bhd. Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and University Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), today launched two books written by Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Abdul Rahman Arshad entitled Abdul Rahman Arshad: Kenangan Sepanjang Jalan and Unity and Education in Malaysia at its’ Blue Ocean Strategy Hall. The launch was officiated by Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Musa Hitam, Malaysia’s 5th Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of Sime Darby Berhad and Chairman of the World Islamic Economic Foundation.

Abdul Rahman Arshad: Kenangan Sepanjang Jalan chronicles Tan Sri Abdul Rahman’s life journey which is synonymous with the Malaysian education landscape. Tan Sri’s autobiographic accounts are both vivid and at times poetic. It captures not just his life-story, but the roles he plays as an educator, policy-maker and leader in Malaysian education.

Profesor Dato’ Dr. Hj. Mansor Hj. Salleh, former Director of Institut Teknologi MARA, best encapsulated Tan Sri’s role and life’s mission - “Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Abdul Rahman Arshad is Education, and Education is Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Abdul Rahman Arshad, thus it is only apt that education be the central theme for the story of his life.”

Tan Sri Abdul Rahman’s passion for education saw him serve in the Malaysian Education Services for more than 30 years, his last designation being the Director General of the Ministry of Education. Tan Sri still participates actively in the Malaysian education scene and apart from serving as the Chancellor at UCSI University; he is also the Pro-Chancellor of both UiTM and UPSI. His book Unity and Education in Malaysia is adapted from his PhD dissertation and looks at the role of education in national unity.

The event also featured a surprise birthday party to celebrate Tan Sri Abdul Rahman’s 73rd birthday with his many friends and guests invited for the event.