CONFERMENT OF “THE CHEVALIER, ORDER OF ACADEMIC PALMS (ORDRE DES PALMES ACADEMIQUES)”, THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT AWARD
Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) is proud to announce that one of its academician, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jamel Othman was conferred the prestigious recognition from France - an insignia medal of honour Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques for his sterling effort in establishing an educational foreground between France – Malaysia
The historic conferment of the honour was presented by Ambassador of France; on behalf of the government of France, Her Excellency Madame Martine Dorance during an official visit to UniKL Malaysia France Institute (UniKL MFI) in Bangi, Selangor on October 9, 2012. Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques is a special medal of honour conferred to French or foreigners, who contributed to the French education and international cooperation in this field.
The delegation of The French Embassy was welcomed by Prof Dato’ Dr Abdul Hakim Juri, President and CEO of UniKL, Assoc. Prof Dr Mazliham Mohd Su’ud, Deputy President (Industrial Linkages) of UniKL, Assoc. Prof Haron Abas, Dean of UniKL MFI, and Management and staff of UniKL MFI.
The award was to honor his contribution towards establishing and enhancing partnership between UniKL and French Universities, especially in his engagement and strong commitment in the “Pre France Programme” from 2006-2009. In 2006, UniKL MFI had established a new department known as France Collaboration Programme (FCP), with the purpose of managing the Pre France Programme and other academic collaborations between UniKL and French universities and institutions.
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| (Left-right) Dr Stéphane Dovert, Councellor for Science and Culture - French Embassy, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mazliham Mohd Su’ud, UniKL Deputy President (Industrial Linkages), Mdm Siti Zaleha Zakaria, wife of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jamel, HE Mdm Martine Dorance, Ambassador of France, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jamel, Director, UniKL International Office, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Abdul Hakim Juri, UniKL President/CEO, Assoc. Prof. Haron Abas, Dean UniKL MFI and Dr Mathieu Guérin, Attaché for Higher Education and Science – French Embass |
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jamel Othman was given the responsibility and task to head the France Collaboration Programme. With the strong support from UniKL management, French Embassy, Campus France, MARA and JPA, the Pre France programme has progressed towards the achievement of having increased number of students being sent to France every year and consequently increasing number of IUT (?) partners.
In his capacity as the Head of FCP department, he was actively involved in the Working Group Committee at the National level, on Malaysia-France Engineering Education which was jointly organized by Board of Engineer Malaysia, Commision de Titre of Ingenieur (CTI) and the French Embassy, working towards mutual recognition of engineering practice and Degree from French Higher Institutions.
At present, under his current capacity as the Director of UniKL International Office, he continues to give his full commitment and support in further exploring and enhancing collaboration between UniKL and the French Universities. Among others, he is regularly invited to present academic papers related to the Academic collaboration between France and Malaysia, in various conferences and platforms in Malaysia and France. AP Dr Jamel is also instrumental in accommodating the incoming student exchange mobility from university partners in France to UniKL and industries in Malaysia.
During his speech after the conferment of the award, Assoc. Prof Dr Jamel expressed his sincere gratitude and deepest appreciation to The French Embassy and the French government for the nomination and conferment of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques. He dedicated the award to all UniKL team ........
".....This conferment, obviously reflected to the important and meaningful recognition given by the French government to all stakeholders of this successful collaboration – MARA, UniKL, UniKL MFI, Campusfrance, Universities partners and all parties involved in enhancing the partnership between UniKL and French Universities, especially in managing and further developing “Pre France Programme”.
".....Bien évidemment, cette remise de Palmes Académiques est une reconnaissance officielle, de la part du gouvernement français, pour toutes les composantes de cette collaboration : MARA, UNIKL, UNIKL MFI, CampusFrance, les Universités françaises partenaires, ainsi que toutes les entités impliquées dans l’amélioration du partenariat entre UNIKL et les Universités françaises, tout particulièrement dans la direction et le développement futur du Programme PreFrance."
- Dr Jamel Othman
The Ordre des Palmes Académiques is an Order of Chivalry of France to academics and educators, which was originally created by Napoleon to honor eminent members of the University of Paris. Originally, The Palmes Académiques were only given to teachers or professors. In 1866, the scope of the award was widened to include major contributions to French national education made by anyone including foreigners. It was also made available to French nationals outside of France who had made major contributions to the expansion of French culture in the rest of the world.
Decisions on nomination and promotion are made by the Minister of Education.
