DIRECTOR

Professor Datuk Norma Mansor is a highly respected academic and policy expert, currently serving as the Director of the Social Wellbeing Research Centre (SWRC) at Universiti Malaya, a position she has held since 2013. Under her leadership, the SWRC has become a prominent hub for interdisciplinary research on social policy, ageing and social protection. Prior to this role, Professor Mansor was appointed Secretary of the National Economic Advisory Council in the Prime Minister’s Department from 2009 to 2011, where she played a key role in shaping Malaysia’s economic policy. This appointment followed her tenure as Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administration at Universiti Malaya from April 2004 to June 2009, during which she was instrumental in advancing the faculty’s academic and research agenda. Earlier in her career, she served as the Executive Director of the International Institute of Public Policy and Management (INPUMA) at Universiti Malaya from September 2001 until March 2004, overseeing initiatives that strengthened public policy and management programmes.

Professor Norma’s expertise is widely recognized. She has served as an advisor and consultant to numerous international organisations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the European Union (EU), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), as well as various Malaysian public agencies. Her scholarly work is extensive, with numerous books and articles published in leading academic journals, particularly in the fields of public and social policy, ageing and social protection.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Professor Mansor was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor by Universiti Malaya in October 2018. She served as the President of the Malaysian Economic Association (MEA) from 2018 until 2024, reflecting her leadership and influence in the field of economics. She is also a fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), further underscoring her distinguished standing in the scientific and academic community. Most recently, she was honoured as CUEPEC’s Woman Icon of the Year 2024, a testament to her exemplary achievements and enduring impact on academia and public policy in Malaysia and beyond. 

In 2025, Professor Mansor was duly appointed as a HRD Corp Thought Leader (HTL) in recognition of her vast expertise and leadership in human capital development, further highlighting her significant contributions to advancing talent and workforce development.