Halim Saad is a highly successful businessman who has made a significant contribution to fostering economic, political and educational relationships between his native country Malaysia and New Zealand. He has also spearheaded a number of educational initiatives in and between both countries.
Although based in Malaysia, Halim Saad has retained close ties with the University since graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration in 1977.
Chancellor Sir Neville Jordan says Halim Saad is one of Victoria’s “most remarkable graduates”.
“Halim Saad has not only forged an incredible business career and played an important role modernising Malaysia, he has also divested a huge amount of energy in giving back to Victoria and New Zealand. The value of the educational opportunities he has created for Malaysian and New Zealand business students, and the wider business communities cannot be understated,” Sir Neville says.
In 2012, Halim Saad was instrumental in establishing a 15-year arrangement between his international college in Malaysia, Victoria and two other New Zealand universities. As a result, 146 Malaysian accounting undergraduates have taken up their studies in New Zealand.
He also supports the Don Trow Visiting Fellowship, which funds visiting researchers of high standing to undertake accounting research at Victoria.
Halim Saad has been a key supporter and co-founder of Victoria’s Chair of Malay Studies, and he sponsors the annual Saad lecture, which has brought many prominent Malaysian speakers to New Zealand. In 1999, he received a Distinguished Service Award from Victoria, and earlier this year received the Friend of New Zealand Award at the Kea World Class New Zealanders ceremony.
“We are incredibly privileged as a university to benefit from Halim Saad’s expertise, experience and ability to create educational opportunities between New Zealand and Malaysia,” Sir Neville says.
“Halim Saad is an extraordinary individual and a well-deserved recipient of this honorary Doctorate of Commerce.”