Vice Chancellor

Professor Dr. David Whitford

Vice Chancellor, University of Cyberjaya (UoC)

Professor David Whitford graduated in medicine from Cambridge and Newcastle Universities in the UK. Following vocational training in general practice, he practiced as a Family Physician for 16 years in Newcastle upon Tyne, establishing a practice at the forefront of quality medical care in the UK. He was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 1996, and a Doctorate from Cambridge University in 2003.

Over the course of his career, Professor Whitford has demonstrated extensive leadership experience in both clinical and academic spheres. His emphasis has been on service towards disadvantaged communities and quality of delivery of medical care. Following his Doctorate, Professor Whitford took up a post in academic general practice in RCSI, Dublin in 2003. He moved to Bahrain in 2006 where he established the community-based teaching in RCSI Bahrain as Foundation Professor of General Practice. He was later appointed Head of the School of Postgraduate Studies and Research in RCSI Bahrain. He has over 60 research publications in international peer reviewed journals. His main research interests are in Type 2 diabetes and the impact of socio-economic deprivation on health. He returned to RCSI, Dublin as Professor of General Practice in 2015.

Professor Whitford moves to the University of Cyberjaya having served in Penang Medical College (RUMC) as Vice President (Academic Affairs) from April 2017 and more recently President of RUMC from August 2019. During that time he was instrumental in the establishment of MInTFM training scheme for family physicians in Malaysia.

“It is a privilege and an honour to be able to take up the post of Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Cyberjaya at this time in its history with nearly 20 years of strong and steady growth” said Professor Whitford. “I am excited at the opportunity to further advance the University of Cyberjaya in the next chapter of its development. My life’s emphasis has been to serve and inspire individuals and communities in order that they may reach their full potential. As such, I will be focussed on developing faculty and staff teamworking in order to ensure that the University, staff and students are fully equipped for the future.”