E-BOOK- 39th CONVOCATION PROGRAMME BOOK

42 43 HONORARY DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (BUILT ENVIRONMENT) BIOGRAPHY OF DATUK SERI PADUKA MAIMUNAH MOHD. SHARIF YBhg. Datuk Seri Paduka Maimunah Mohd. Sharif hails from Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan. She received her first degree in town planning studies from UWIST Wales, United Kingdom before reading her Master's degree at the Universiti Sains Malaysia. Datuk Seri Paduka Maimunah Mohd Sharif is currently the Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT). This global leadership role landed her the Malaysian Book of Guinness Record as the first ever Asian female to hold such a highly esteemed position. A high promoter and achiever of change and sustainability, Datuk Seri Paduka Maimunah began her working life as a town planner at Penang Municipal Council in 1985. She continued as the director of Planning and Development of Seberang Perai Municipal Council and climbed the professional ladder, as the President of the Council, during which she was named Planner of the Year (2014) by the Malaysian Institute of Planners. She later returned to the island side, this time executing her Mayorship role in the Penang Municipal Council. She received the Global Human Settlements Outstanding Contribution Award in 2016, during the United Nations Convention on Settlement Development and Sustainable Development UN - Habitat III. At UN Habitat, Datuk Seri Paduka Maimunah championed the development of a New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG11), which is closely in line with her vast experience in urban planning and national urban policies formulation and execution. Datuk Seri Paduka Maimunah also oversees the initiation of a blueprint for sustainable urban development, which brings together over 24 organisations for a system-wide United Nations strategy on sustainable urbanisation. It is a timely celebration and acknowledgement that Datuk Seri Paduka Maimunah is conferred this bestowment since she is a leading member of the International Gender Champions (Nairobi-based). She is continuously playing a key role in bringing together female and male decision makers, breaking down gender barriers as well as advocating equal opportunities for and enjoyment of a high quality of life for all.