Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Websites
Certification
Research Supervision
Selected Leadership And Strategic Expertise
Personal Information
Languages
Academic Contributions And Grants
Current Position
Languages
Timeline
Generic
Pieter Pottas

Pieter Pottas

Ipoh

Summary

A dynamic and visionary leader with extensive experience in higher education management, transnational education, and strategic operations. With a proven track record of strategic operations and academic development, business growth, and fostering international partnerships, I am passionate about delivering world-class operations as well as education and research while ensuring an outstanding student and staff experience. I have held several senior leadership roles, including my current position as COO cum Interim Director & Chief Executive at UoSM, where I have overseen significant growth in student numbers, improved external engagement, enhanced academic quality procedures, and strengthened international and local government ties. Methodical director with several years of comprehensive experience overseeing daily operations of company or organization. Hardworking and versatile professional well-versed in executing business strategies, preparing and implementing business plans and overseeing financial performance. Thorough knowledge of market changes and trends paired with strong grasp of corporate finance and performance measures.

Overview

49
49
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Interim Director and Chief Executive Officer

University of Southampton Malaysia
10.2024 - Current
  • Lead the strategic direction and operational management of UoSM, overseeing academic and non-academic departments.
  • Spearheaded initiatives to increase student enrolment from 500 to 2,000, contributing to UoSM’s growth strategy in line with the university's global aspirations.
  • Collaborated with senior academic leaders to enhance the student experience, including the revival of the inter-campus mobility program.
  • Fostered strong relationships with industry partners.
  • Engaged in scholarship and funding opportunities to ensure accessible education for diverse student demographics.
  • Build and enhance government relations.
  • Position UoSM a leading education institute.
  • Directed academic and operational policy implementation, ensuring alignment with the University of Southampton (UK) standards.
  • Coordinated cross-border collaboration efforts with UK-based academic and research teams to streamline program offerings and enhance educational quality.

Chief Operating Officer

University of Southampton Malaysia
03.2024 - Current
  • Dynamic and results-driven higher education leader with a PhD in Business Administration and Strategic Management.
  • Demonstrates extensive expertise in strategic planning, operational management, and international collaboration.
  • Committed to enhancing academic excellence, driving institutional growth, and fostering a vibrant educational environment.
  • Provide strategic leadership and operational management as the Chief Operating Officer.
  • Develop and implement strategic plans and initiatives to achieve organizational goals, resulting in a 20% increase in student enrollment and a 15% improvement in student satisfaction.
  • Foster international collaboration and partnerships, expanding the university's global reach and reputation.
  • Lead cross-functional teams in the development and execution of key projects, ensuring timely and successful completion.
  • Oversee budgeting and financial management, optimizing resource allocation and achieving cost savings of 10%.
  • Maintain effective communication with stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, and external partners, ensuring clarity and alignment of goals.
  • Uphold a vibrant educational environment by promoting diversity, inclusivity, and innovation.
  • Continuously enhance professional knowledge and expertise through ongoing learning and development opportunities.
  • Develop new Recruitment strategies.
  • Engage with external institutions to develop student pipeline feeders.
  • Collaborated with governmental and industrial partners to establish research opportunities in agriculture and sustainable technologies.
  • Ensuring compliance with Malaysian regulations and fostering strategic collaborations with state and national regulatory bodies.
  • Established strong ties with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and local stakeholders to maintain academic quality and compliance.
  • Drove the implementation of the ‘Triple Helix’ approach at UoSM, ensuring excellence in education, research, and knowledge exchange.
  • Enhanced employability opportunities for students by developing key relationships with industry partners and alumni.

Director/Founder

UD. IAGO, Indonesia
01.2008 - Current
  • Company Overview: A leading consultancy specializing in Renewable Energy, Agriculture, Mining, Manufacturing, and Operations.
  • IAGO focuses on strategic and operational excellence, apprentice training, business consultancy, rural development, sustainable smart farming.
  • I have spearheaded consultancy and business development initiatives across diverse sectors, including Renewable Energy, Agriculture, Engineering, Mining, Manufacturing Operations, and Marketing.
  • A leading consultancy specializing in Renewable Energy, Agriculture, Mining, Manufacturing, and Operations.
  • Established and managed 71,000 hectares of verified 5-year-old Jatropha plantations, serving as carbon credits for BP petroleum.
  • Successfully negotiated land agreements for the construction of 5 satellite extraction plants for Jatropha, enhancing operational capacity and market presence.

Associate Professor and Director Research and Development

Curtin Biovalley Sdn Bhd
01.2021 - 01.2024
  • Dynamic and results-oriented research professional and operational leader with over twenty years of proven success in achieving revenue, profit, and business growth objectives within start-up, turnaround, and rapid-change environments.
  • Industrial researchers and product developer, I have a demonstrated record of exceeding profitability goals, turning around under-performing units, and driving increased revenues and market share.
  • A high-energy leader experienced in managing multi-unit, multicultural, and complex organizations, I excel in brand positioning, revenue growth, financial management, and operational excellence.
  • I provide strategic oversight of operational and financial functions for the institute, including establishing annual and quarterly planning processes, profit, and operations reporting.
  • Develop and deliver a compelling, cohesive, and ambitious vision for the Institute aligned with the University's and State's strategic objectives.
  • Lead, develop, and motivate a high-performing Institute, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and transparency.
  • Oversee career development and performance management within the Institute.

Chief Operating Officer (Acting DPVC)

Curtin University, Malaysia
01.2018 - 01.2024
  • Dynamic and results-oriented operations executive and higher education leader with over twenty years of proven operational success in achieving revenue, profit, and business growth objectives within start-up, turnaround, and rapid-change environments.
  • Business management architect, I have a demonstrated record of exceeding profitability goals, turning around underperforming units, and driving increased revenues and market share.
  • As a high-energy leader, I am experienced in managing multi-unit, multicultural, and complex organizations.
  • I excel in brand positioning, revenue growth, financial management, and driving operational excellence, with a strong focus on customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • My well-developed employee relations, motivation, management development, and training qualifications are evidenced by higher-than-average retention rates.
  • Successfully developed staffing, recruiting, space, and workflow models during a troubled economy.
  • Implemented strategic management during business contraction, recognized for executing strategic marketing plans to support and increase clients and revenue.
  • Spearheaded a RM 64 million expansion project to offset the infrastructure deficit, repositioning the university in a competitive market.

Operations Director & Group General Manager

Australia Resources Sdn Bhd
01.2014 - 01.2018
  • Company Overview: Managed a multinational company with diverse operations spanning mining, logistics, and manufacturing sectors in Malaysia.
  • I oversaw the commercial development of mining and agricultural properties, contributing significantly to strategic decision-making as a member of the board of directors and representing shareholder interests at various functions.
  • Responsibilities included managing operations through direct reports, providing fiscal, strategic, and operational leadership.
  • My focus was on reducing indebtedness and enhancing operational efficiency through proactive measures such as pursuing new business opportunities, restructuring internal procedures, reallocating resources, and implementing best practices and performance monitoring systems to drive continuous improvement.
  • Managed a multinational company with diverse operations spanning mining, logistics, and manufacturing sectors in Malaysia.
  • Successfully reversed a RM 1.2 million loss, achieving RM 150K in gains within the first year of leadership.

Director Operations/Group General Manager

Ho Wah Genting Bhd.
01.2011 - 01.2014
  • Dual appointment as Director of Operations for Mining and Minerals Beneficiation, alongside serving as Group General Manager.
  • This encompassed managing multinational operations totaling EU 130 million, including an 800-hectare Tin mining concession and a 65-acre Magnesium smelter located in Perak.
  • In addition to my operational responsibilities, I served on the board as a non-executive director, representing shareholder interests during key business negotiations.
  • Led a team of 12 direct reports and held accountability for providing fiscal, strategic, and operational leadership to optimize performance across both mining and magnesium processing operations.
  • Successfully negotiated an alluvium mining concession lease extension with the local government, increasing Tin production by 4 metric tons per day, equivalent to USD 2.8 million in annual revenue.
  • Negotiated and established a LED lighting joint venture, securing a government supply contract to transform government buildings into low-energy consumption facilities.

Country Manager and Director of Operations

Imerys (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
01.2003 - 01.2008
  • Oversee a diverse portfolio encompassing multi-site operations across Malaysia and Thailand, with additional oversight of strategic responsibilities for India, Vietnam, and Indonesia from Kuala Lumpur.
  • Full management and P&L responsibility for mining and quarry operations, including powder and slurry production, logistics, sales, maintenance, engineering projects, production packaging, and warehouse inventories.
  • Manage comprehensive P&L responsibilities for Malaysia and Thailand, ensuring operational efficiency and profitability.
  • Successfully turned around underperforming business units in Malaysia and Thailand, boosting productivity by 34% through plant optimization and efficiency enhancements.

Operations and General Manager

Cargill (Pt Hindoli)
01.2001 - 01.2003
  • Responsible for all aspects of business development, with focus on expanding Indonesia markets.
  • Manage all operations, inclusive of manufacturing facility, shipping, planning, strategy implementation and execution of manufacturing strategies with focus on high value, major customers and exports.
  • Manage and develop the Cargill Palm Oil Mill Installations each of 120-ton/hr and plantation infrastructure in Sumatra, Indonesia.
  • Develop and upgrade existing installation complete with expansion. Project value US$ 26 million.

Chief Engineer/Group Mill Manager

Commonwealth Development Corporation, Pac Rim Plantations
01.1998 - 01.2001
  • Manage and develop the operations and infrastructure of 80000 hectare and 12000 Hectare small holders for Pacific Rim Plantations Palm Oil project, located on multiple sites, a Commonwealth Development Corporation initiative, with three supporting 60 mt/hr palm oil mill and 20 000 ha Cocoa operation in Papua New Guinea.
  • Project value US$ 16 million.

Superintendent

PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper
01.1994 - 01.1998
  • Oversee the Construction from start to Commissioning and Maintaining a Pulp and Paper project in Sumatra Indonesia for the RAPP ( APRIL).

Maintenance Superintendent

Mondi Craft, Pulp & Paper
01.1990 - 01.1994
  • Manage the Maintenance and engineering departments inclusive of project management for Pulp and Paper projects in South Africa and Swaziland.

Project /Maintenance Foreman

Sasol Petrochemical
01.1985 - 01.1990
  • Project planning execution, erection, commissioning and upgrading with total Maintenance and training responsibilities on project completion of the Petrochemical refinery in South Africa.
  • Maintain ISO 9000.1400, OSHA and ASME standards for pressure vessels.
  • Manage daily mechanical maintenance complete with all maintenance planning.

Evaluator/surveyor & Miner

Harmony Gold Mine
01.1979 - 01.1981
  • Mining evaluations, sampling, surveying, geological inspections, mine planning and development, complete with cost efficient mining plans and recommendations.
  • Budget control.

Sergeant

South African Defense Force
01.1976 - 01.1979
  • Soldier in South African Defense Force.

Education

M.Ed - Higher Education Administration

Univeristy Of People
USA
12-2025

PhD - Business Administration and Strategic Management

Selinus University of Sciences And Literature
Italy
01.2023

BSc - Business Administration

Washington University
USA
01.1998

Diploma - Electrical Engineering, Steam Plant Operation

ICS
UK

Skills

  • Strategic Leadership
  • Strategic planning
  • Financial management
  • Project management
  • Data analysis
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Team leadership
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Problem solving
  • Operational excellence
  • Corporate social responsibility
  • Financial planning
  • Organizational development
  • Business development
  • Cross-functional team leadership
  • Multitasking and organization
  • Human resources management
  • Decision-making
  • Sales management
  • Budget control
  • Legal and regulatory compliance
  • Staff management
  • Client relations
  • Fundraising events
  • Contract and vendor management
  • Talent acquisition
  • Change management
  • Coaching and mentoring
  • Visionary leadership
  • Government relations
  • International business
  • Operations management
  • Cross-Cultural Communication
  • Sustainability Leadership
  • Data-Driven Decision-Making

Affiliations

  • American Institute of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  • Institution Of Engineers Papua New Guinea Inc. (iepng)
  • Incorporate Society of Planters (Isp)
  • Society Of Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP)
  • Quarry Association Malaysia
  • Chambers of Mines Malaysia
  • Malaysia International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI)
  • Federation of Malaysia Manufactures (FMM)
  • National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  • Society of Mining Engineers (SME)

Certification

  • Certified Professional Engineer
  • Society Of Professional Engineers South Africa (Pe 4758)
  • Union Internationale Des Ingenieurs Priffesionals-Eu (Uidip2009/4758)
  • Institute Of Engineers Papua New Guinea

Research Supervision

Ms. Adya Pandey, Curtin University, Formulation of Chitosan feed supplements for Macrobrachium rosenbergii juveniles from Hermetia illucens larvae.

Selected Leadership And Strategic Expertise

  • Strategic Vision and Institutional Growth
  • Operational Excellence
  • Growth-Oriented Leadership in Student Recruitment
  • Data-Driven Decision Making
  • Academic Innovation and Program Development
  • Financial Acumen and Resource Optimization
  • Collaborative Partnership Building
  • Research and Innovation Leadership
  • Crisis Management and Resilience
  • Mentorship and Talent Development

Personal Information

Nationality: South African

Languages

  • English
  • Afrikaans
  • Malay
  • Bahasa Indonesia

Academic Contributions And Grants

  • Sustainable agricultural waste disposal and innovative agricultural solutions; Disposal and commercialization of cow manure., RM 280,000
  • Sustainable municipal domestic waste disposal and innovative commercialisation; Utilization of Black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens) in domestic waste conversion., RM 678,000
  • The control and commercialization of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in the rivers of Sarawak., RM 972,000
  • Development of the Miri Urban Transportation action plan., RM 2,400,000
  • The Sustainable Miri District Master Development Plan., RM 9,786,000
  • Development of alternative self-sterilizing mushroom cultivation substrate., RM 126,000
  • Extraction of “Daun Nyric “(Phacelophrynium maximum) flavonoid for artificial injection into “kelupis”., RM 327,000
  • Develop cost effective production funguses for biological fly control using Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana., RM 92,000
  • Procedures to investigate potential of plants as natural food preservatives., RM 64,000
  • Development of alternative Aquaculture and Poultry feeds from indigenous Sarawak Flora., RM 36,000
  • Extraction of chitosan from black soldier fly larvae as supplement for the Malaysia Giant Fresh Water Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) to reduce mortality in juvenile prawns., RM 389,000
  • Develop an alternative high protein energy sport bar for commercialization., RM 129,000

Current Position

Chief Operating Officer (COO), University of Southampton Malaysia

Languages

English
First Language
Afrikaans
Advanced (C1)
C1
Malay
Intermediate (B1)
B1
Indonesian
Intermediate (B1)
B1

Timeline

Interim Director and Chief Executive Officer

University of Southampton Malaysia
10.2024 - Current

Chief Operating Officer

University of Southampton Malaysia
03.2024 - Current

Associate Professor and Director Research and Development

Curtin Biovalley Sdn Bhd
01.2021 - 01.2024

Chief Operating Officer (Acting DPVC)

Curtin University, Malaysia
01.2018 - 01.2024

Operations Director & Group General Manager

Australia Resources Sdn Bhd
01.2014 - 01.2018

Director Operations/Group General Manager

Ho Wah Genting Bhd.
01.2011 - 01.2014

Director/Founder

UD. IAGO, Indonesia
01.2008 - Current

Country Manager and Director of Operations

Imerys (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
01.2003 - 01.2008

Operations and General Manager

Cargill (Pt Hindoli)
01.2001 - 01.2003

Chief Engineer/Group Mill Manager

Commonwealth Development Corporation, Pac Rim Plantations
01.1998 - 01.2001

Superintendent

PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper
01.1994 - 01.1998

Maintenance Superintendent

Mondi Craft, Pulp & Paper
01.1990 - 01.1994

Project /Maintenance Foreman

Sasol Petrochemical
01.1985 - 01.1990

Evaluator/surveyor & Miner

Harmony Gold Mine
01.1979 - 01.1981

Sergeant

South African Defense Force
01.1976 - 01.1979

M.Ed - Higher Education Administration

Univeristy Of People

PhD - Business Administration and Strategic Management

Selinus University of Sciences And Literature

BSc - Business Administration

Washington University

Diploma - Electrical Engineering, Steam Plant Operation

ICS

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Pieter Pottas