Salleh Mohd Nor | |
---|---|
Born | 20 October 1940 |
Nationality | Malaysian |
Alma mater | Adelaide University |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Forestry |
Institutions | Forest Research Institute Malaysia |
YBhg Tan Sri Dato’Salleh bin Haji Mohd Nor (born 20 October 1940, in Kuala Pilah (town), Negeri Sembilan)[1] is a Malaysian forester, conservationist and academician. Salleh was the first director-general of the Forest Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) and served as president of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) for 30 years.[2][3][4][5]
Tan Sri Dr Salleh received the Colombo Plan Scholarship to study forestry in Adelaide from 1961-1962, and later at the Australian Forestry School (AFS), Canberra, from which he graduated with a BSc (Forestry) from Adelaide University and a Diploma of Forestry from AFS. Salleh received his Ph.D. and Masters Degree from Michigan State University.[3]
Salleh was the 2016 recipient of the Merdeka Award in the 'Environment' category.[6] He has received the following honours:
Salleh chaired the Malaysian Antarctic Programme and has visited Antarctica twice.[7] He has served as the Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. He was elected president of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO). He was a member of the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM), chairman of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT),[8] chairman of Malaysian Bio-Industry Organization (MBIO), and secretary-general of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM).[3] He is a fellow of the Malaysian Scientific Association.[6]
As president of MNS, and subsequently as senior advisor of the society, Salleh has been active in campaigns to save several forests in Malaysia.[9] Successful campaigns have led to the protection of Endau-Rompin National Park,[10] Royal Belum State Park,[11] Kota Damansara Community Forest Park, Bukit Kiara park and numerous other sites of high value for biodiversity.[9]