Prof Latif Ibrahim, man behind nation's biotech dies at 84

SHAH ALAM - The man behind nation's biotechnology boom died today.

Prof Latif Ibrahim, 84 had set up national biotechnology institute including iPHARM in Universiti Sains Malaysia. He is known to have helped and inspired many young Malaysians into the industry.

He completed his secondary education at the Kajang High School and began his career as a veterinary assistant before pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine at East Pakistan Agriculture University in 1961.

Upon graduation in 1967, he worked as a District Veterinary Officer.

In 1971, he was appointed as a research officer at the Department of Veterinary Service Malaysia.

In June 1995, he was offered the post of managing director of National Biotechnology Directorate under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MOSTE).

As the managing director, he planned a number of programmes to develop biotechnology in Malaysia and was given the responsibility to develop the National Biotechnology Programme.

His main responsibility was to spearhead the development of biotechnology in Malaysia through research and related activities directed at the commercialising biotechnology and to establish Malaysia as the leading centre for biotechnology.

In June 2003, he joined Universiti Selangor (UNISEL) as a Senior Professor and was appointed as Director of the Institute of Bio-IT Selangor where he was responsible in the development of biotechnology in Selangor through research and education.

One of the research projects was on green chemistry and was funded by MOSTE.

Latif had been active in research, teaching and offering his services.

He was also the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia for 10 years and has shown high level of administrative skills and ability.

He was given the responsibility to develop the National Biotechnology Programme to establish Malaysia as the leading centre for biotechnology.