Dato Dr Husaini Omar

Husaini Bin Omar (born 10 March 1963) is a Malaysian academic, engineering geologist, researcher and Director General of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia from 1 February 2021 until 10 March 2023.

Husaini holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours (Geology) from University of Malaya in 1988 and Master of Science (Engineering Geology) from University of Leeds, United Kingdom in 1995. He subsequently obtained a PhD in System Engineering from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2001.

Husaini has eight years of industry experience as an engineering geologist before starting his career as a lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in 1996. He enjoyed academic and administrative success until he was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) of UPM on 15 February 2017 before assuming the position of Vice Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) on 1 January 2018 until 6 January 2019. In May 2019, he joined Imperial College London as a Professor at the Department of Earth Science and Engineering. He subsequently assumed the duties of Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA) from 1 June 2020 until 31 January 2021.

Husaini currently serves as Founder and Chairman of H&I Capitech Sdn Bhd and Chairman of HYEDU Education Group Sdn Bhd. He is also a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Razak School of Government; Chairman of the Board of Governors and Member of the Board of Directors of City University Malaysia and Asia e University (AeU); and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Yayasan City U. He also serves as Advisor to ELS Malaysia, Member of the Board of Directors of UCSI College Malaysia and UMTSea Sdn Bhd, Member of the Board of Governance of Spectrum International University College, Member of the Board of Governors of Universiti Islam Selangor (UIS), and Member of the Board of Directors of Universiti Keusahawanan Koperasi Malaysia (UKKM).

At the national level, Husaini serves on the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia’s Vice-Chancellor Selection Committee and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s Board for the Recognition of Certified Integrity Officers (LPPIB). He also contributes to international higher education advisory and institutional development, with particular interests in cross-border education, internationalisation, strategic university partnerships and global academic collaboration. Drawing on his extensive experience in higher education leadership and policy, he continues to engage with institutions and education partners both in Malaysia and internationally. He previously served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) from 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2026.

Husaini also serves as International Advisor to Yin Education in Beijing, China, where he contributes his experience in higher education strategy, institutional development, internationalisation and cross-border academic collaboration. Through this role, he supports the development of international education initiatives and strategic engagement between education institutions and partners across different markets.