speakers

Dr Hari has amassed over 40 years of rich experience spanning industry and academia. He spent more than two decades at Motorola Solutions, rising from a technical staff member to leading the R&D organisation and serving as Managing Director for Penang operations. Dr Hari transitioned to academia in 2019, joining APU as Senior Director of Organisational Development before assuming the role of Vice Chancellor in 2020 and later President in 2022. In the recent years he also took on several leadership roles, including Chairman of the Board of Governors at USM. In January 2024, Dr Hari became the Chief Executive Officer of Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC), focusing on talent development and positioning PSDC as a premier centre for TVET graduates.

Dr Hari holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UMIST, UK and various professional accolades, including being a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of IMechE and IET. Dr Hari has received numerous awards for this management, leadership, and contributions to the industry, including the Public Bank-MIM Senior Manager of the Year, Best CEO by MOHE for his contributions in the CEO Faculty programme and an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering from UMP. He constitutes to various national initiatives related to talent development and E&E local ecosystem growth.