The IMU University was honoured to have a distinguished member of its Board of Governors, Prof Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar Abdul Majeed, deliver an impactful training session to IMU faculty members on developing prototype-related research grants. Organised by IMU’s Institute for Research, Development, and Innovation (IRDI), the workshop was focused on the importance of mission-oriented research design and how it can effectively address real industry challenges through translational and impactful solutions.

Prof Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar’s session inspired IMU faculty members to design research that not only generates knowledge but also translates into real-world solutions for industry and society. This aligns seamlessly with the vision of IMU’s IRDI:

“We are a mission‑driven, future‑ready research university advancing the One Health agenda—integrating human, animal, and ecosystem well‑being—through sustainable, transformative scholarship. Grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion, we aim to catalyse global impact for the health of all.”

The training attracted over 30 participants, who responded with highly positive feedback—many particularly appreciated the insightful advice and practical guidance shared by the speaker.

With visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence, IMU continues to nurture a culture of impactful, mission-oriented research that shapes the future of health and well-being locally and globally.

Prof Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar Abdul Majeed’s distinguished academic and leadership career is a testament to his lifelong dedication to advancing science and pharmacy education. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from El-Zagazig University, Egypt (1983), a PhD in Neurophysiology from Sheffield University, United Kingdom (1988), and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang (1996). His international research exposure includes serving as a visiting scientist at the Laboratory for Neural Information Processing, Brain Research Institute, RIKEN, Japan from 1992 to 1993.

Prof Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar’s academic leadership is equally impressive. He became Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in 2002 and went on to serve as Assistant Vice-Chancellor (AVC) for Research and subsequently AVC for the Medical and Dental Campus between 2009 and 2014. In 2017, he was appointed Rector of UiTM Selangor and later served as Director of the Research Management Centre, UiTM from 2021–2022 before returning as Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy in August 2022. Alongside his many ongoing roles, he remains a driving force in shaping the future of higher education through his service on the Board of Governors at IMU.

Prof Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar is also a Registered Pharmacist with the Board of Pharmacy, Malaysia, having served as an Executive Council Member twice, from 1996–1999 and 2016–2022. A champion of ethical research, he is a founding member of the National Bioethics Council under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia, and served as its Chairman from 2016–2018.

An avid writer and prolific researcher, Prof Dato’ Dr Abu Bakar has authored and edited over 20 academic books and published more than 100 research articles in reputable journals. His research interests span Alzheimer’s disease, drug delivery to the brain, and bioethics. His contributions to pharmaceutical policy and practice research have been recognised internationally, most notably through the 2023 Helen-Clark-JoPPP Award, which celebrates the scientific merit and far-reaching impact of his work on patients, policymakers, and governments.