A Visionary Leader Bridging Global Experience and Local Impact

MILA University is honoured to announce the appointment of Professor Dr. Graham Kendall as its new Vice-Chancellor, marking a defining moment in the university’s journey as a leading institution for higher education in Malaysia and beyond, driven by a hands-on and career-focused approach.

A seasoned academic and visionary strategist, Professor Kendall brings over three decades of experience spanning the UK and Asia. His leadership is built on a powerful idea: that the future of education lies in connecting knowledge to real-world application and enabling students to become global citizens.

From the Frontlines of Business to the Heart of Education

Professor Kendall’s career began in Information Technology in the UK, where he held senior roles in the private sector. Transitioning to academia, as a mature student, and then progressing to senior academic roles in both the UK and Asia represents a unique career trajectory. He has always attempted to align his industrial experience with his research by addressing real-world problems that bring about meaningful change.

He holds a First-Class Honours degree in Computation from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), and a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Nottingham, where he then for worked for over twenty years in both the UK and Asia.

A Familiar Face with Global Credentials

Many will know Professor Kendall from his time as Provost and CEO of the University of Nottingham Malaysia, where he led the university through significant growth and global engagement. He also served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the wider University of Nottingham and continues to hold the title of Emeritus Professor.

His work has taken him across continents, with honorary academic appointments in Malaysia, India, and Hong Kong, building a reputation as a thought leader in Artificial Intelligence, Evolutionary Computation, Operational Research, and Ethical Publishing.

He has published over 300 peer reviewed articles, acted in many editorial roles including being an Editor-in-Chief of an IEEE Transactions journal and given keynote talks around the world.

A Vision with Heart and Direction

Taking on the Vice-Chancellor role at MILA University, Professor Kendall shares a clear ambition:

“MILA is young, dynamic, and bold—and that’s what excites me. We can build something remarkable from the ground up. My goal is simple: to help our students, staff, and partners thrive in a university that’s globally connected, industry-informed, and values-led.”

Aligned with Malaysia’s own aspirations, this vision recognises that future-ready graduates must be equipped not only with technical knowledge, but also with human-centric, innovative thinking. His leadership philosophy rests on three core pillars: academic integrity, innovation with purpose, and people-first education.

But beyond strategy, it’s a vision that influences how students learn, live, and grow, placing student-centred learning activities at the heart of academic delivery.

Elevating Student Experience Through Expert Collaboration

In line with MILA University’s ambition to provide a high quality learning experience, Professor Kendall’s efforts, together with the senior leadership team, will focus on elevating the student journey through industry engagement, global connectivity and addressing some of the world’s most challenging problems through research.

MILA University stays committed to fostering a campus culture that nurtures creativity, connection, and confidence among our students.

Welcome aboard, Professor Graham Kendall.
The journey ahead just got even more exciting.