Professor Abhi Veerakumarasivam

Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor Sunway University

Professor Abhi Veerakumarasivam is a University of Cambridge-trained geneticist, educator and science communicator. Before taking on his current role as the Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor of Sunway University, he was the Dean of the School of Medical and Life Sciences.  

His research in genetics involves the elucidation of components of the regulatory pathways that drive tumour recurrence and invasion as well as dissecting Asian genetic variations that confer differences in disease- risk and response to therapy. In recognition of his achievements, he has been awarded multiple awards including the National Cancer Council Malaysia Cancer Research Award, the Study UK Alumni Award (Science and Sustainability), and the Merdeka Award Grant as well as listed in the Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow List. He is the first Asian to be crowned as the Best Science Communicator at the International FameLab Finals at the Cheltenham Science Festival, UK. 

He was the inaugural Chair of the International Network for Government Science Advice Asia that supports the use of scientific evidence in informing policy at all levels of government. As Chair of the Young Scientists Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia and Co-Chair of the ASEAN Young Scientists Network, he championed various national and regional initiatives to support mid- and early career researchers to drive academic excellence and contribute towards nation-building through STEM promotion and advocacy. He sits on various national and regional science and educational policy committees and has co-authored various policy papers and reports, including the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint 2025-2035. He co-initiated and led Malaysia’s first nationwide programme on Responsible Conduct of Research to create awareness and educate the Malaysian scientific community on the importance of research integrity and currently is a member of the National Committee on Research Integrity. 

As Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor of Sunway University, Abhi leads the largest UK-Malaysia transnational education partnership alongside the newly established collaboration with Arizona State University - nurturing thousands of next-generation leaders equipped with knowledge, skills, values, and a global mindset to foster a more harmonious, equitable, and sustainable future. Abhi truly believes that the greatest challenges facing us in the 21st century can only be addressed through interdisciplinary approaches that promote humanity-centric research impact and communication, holistic education programmes that inculcate ethical values and an entrepreneurial mindset, and policies that support the translation of scientific discoveries and sustainability-driven technologies to improve the health of the planet and promote social justice. 


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