KUALA LUMPUR, May 29- Educationist Tan Sri Ainuddin Wahid (photo) died in his house in Taman Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR), Ampang here yesterday.
The first Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) was 83. Eldest son Saifudin, 53, said Ainuddin who died of old age at 5.25pm leaves daughter Aida. His wife, Puan Sri Rahmah Abdul Hamid died in 1989.
His remains will leave No. 3, Jalan 7, Taman Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) for burial at 10am tomorrow at Jalan Ampang Muslim cemetery.
Ainuddin who was UTM Vice Chancellor from 1975 until his retirement in 1989 was the first Malay to be appointed as principal of Kuala Lumpur Technical College (MTKL) in 1969.
He played an important role in transforming MTKL into the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in 1972, before it was upgraded to UTM in 1975. Born in Teluk Intan, Perak, he formed the Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS) together with the late Aminuddin Baki, another educationist.
Ainuddin graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Bristol University, United Kingdom in 1956.
He then took post-graduate in Traffic and Road Engineering from Ohio State University in 1962 and was awarded Fellowship from International Road Federation, US.
Upon his return from United Kingdom in 1957, Ainuddin served as assistant engineer with the Public Works Department (PWD).
In 1962, he was appointed as assistant engineer for Sungai Way-Klang Federal Highway project rising to senior executive engineer in 1965.
In 2000, Ainuddin was named as 1421 Ma’al Hijrah prominent figure. A biography about him published in Sept 2011 entitled Ainuddin: ‘Pejuang Degil Melayu’ (Ainuddin: The Stubborn Malay Warrior) written by Datin Seri Fatini Yaacob was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
At the event, Najib also announced the establishment of “Ainuddin Wahid Endowment Fund” of RM10 million to finance Phd students at UTM for five years.
– BERNAMA
