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Dato' Professor Dr. Mohammad Shatar bin Sabran, born on 7 February 1967 in Perak, Malaysia, is a distinguished academic leader and an expert in community development and leadership. He holds a PhD in Leadership and Community Development from the University of Missouri, USA. His extensive educational background also includes a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning from Iowa State University, as well as a Diploma in General Studies from Indiana University, USA.

He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), a position he has held since 8 February 2021. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing and ensuring quality assurance and accreditation within Malaysia’s higher education sector.

Prior to this, he began his leadership career in academia as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) at Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2013, followed by his appointment as the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in 2017.

A recognized expert in social sciences, Dato' Dr. Mohammad Shatar has delivered more than 800 talks and authored over 40 books on motivation, leadership, and community development. He is frequently invited as a speaker at international conferences such as QS MAPLE 2019, QS APPLE 2018, and Bett Asia, and serves as a guest panelist on various international platforms.

In addition to being well-known for his expertise in soft skills development, he has served as an advisor to more than 20 government agencies and institutions. He is also a regular contributor to local media outlets including Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Bernama, and Astro Awani, where he shares his insights and knowledge.

Throughout his career, he has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Extraordinary Performance Award from Iowa State University, the National Academic Award 2011 in the field of Teaching, and the Outstanding Contribution to Education Award 2017. He has also been listed in the Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century by the International Biographical Centre (UK) and in Who’s Who in the World 2012.

In recognition of his contributions to education and leadership, he was conferred the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (DIMP) in 2014 and the Darjah Dato’ Paduka Mahkota Perak (DPMP) in 2018. These honors reflect the significant impact he has made on the advancement of education in Malaysia and beyond, including in Asia, South America, and Africa.

A visionary leader, Dato' Dr. Mohammad Shatar continues to inspire and shape the future of education on a global scale.