KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 7): The Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Isis) Malaysia has appointed prominent economist Professor Dr Jomo Kwame Sundaram as the third holder of the Tun Hussein Onn Chair in International Studies for the period 2016 to 2017.

In a statement today, Isis Malaysia said the first holder of the chair was Datuk Dr Muthiah Alagappa (2012–2013), followed by Professor Dr Crothers Anthony Milner (2014–2015).

The Tun Hussein Onn Chair in International Studies at Isis Malaysia is funded by the Noah Foundation.

Jomo was assistant director-general and coordinator for economic and social development at the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (UN) during 2012–2015.

Before that, he was assistant secretary-general of economic development in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs from 2005 until 2012, and (honorary) research coordinator for the G24 Intergovernmental Group on International Monetary Affairs and Development from 2006 until 2012.

He has received several honours and awards for his work including the 2007 Wassily Leontief Prize for Advancing the Frontiers of Economic Thought.

He has authored and edited over a hundred books and translated 12 volumes besides writing many academic papers and media articles. Jomo was professor in the Applied Economics Department, Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya until November 2004, founder director (1978–2004) of the Institute of Social Analysis and founder chair of the International Development Economics Associates (2001–2004).

He was also on the board of directors of the United Nations Research Institute on Social Development, Geneva.