Engineering without a soul is like a body without a soul. Hence, my teaching philosophy is rooted in the principles of Life Engineering, which emphasizes the integration of ethical, human- centered, and interdisciplinary approaches to technology and education. I believe that education should not only impart knowledge but also cultivate values, critical thinking, and a holistic understanding of how technology impacts human life and society.
Personal Leadership Development
As a mechanical engineering lecturer, I deeply integrate the concepts of self-leadership and my life engineering teaching philosophy into my leadership journey. These guiding ideas help me to improve as a leader and teacher, so that I am committed not just to provide technical information but also to promote the development of my students as a whole.
Understanding my core beliefs, values, and goals is fundamental to my leadership journey. I believe that engineering without ethics is incomplete, much like a body without a soul. This belief shapes my approach to teaching, where I strive to integrate ethical considerations into every aspect of my curriculum. Recognizing the importance of these values allows me to lead with authenticity, ensuring that my students are not only skilled engineers but also responsible, ethical contributors to society.
In my role as a lecturer, I continuously reflect on my behaviors and motivations. My actions in the classroom are driven by a desire to foster critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning among my students. I aim to create an environment where they can explore the impact of technology on human life and society, encouraging them to think beyond technical solutions and consider the broader implications of their work. This self-awareness enables me to model the behavior I wish to see in my students, reinforcing the importance of a human-centered approach to engineering.
Leadership is a continuous learning process, and I am committed to identify the areas where I can grow as technology changed over time. Whether it’s staying updated on the latest technological advancements or exploring new pedagogical methods, I would set up a learning plan that aligns with my goal of integrating ethical and interdisciplinary approaches into my teaching. By actively seeking out learning opportunities, I ensure that my leadership remains relevant and effective, enabling me to provide my students with a well-rounded education.
Applying the knowledge and insights I gain is crucial to my development as a leader. I focus on building successful habits that support my teaching philosophy, such as regularly incorporating ethical discussions into technical lessons and fostering an inclusive classroom environment. Additionally, I strive to create an environment for success by encouraging collaboration, open dialogue, and critical thinking among my students. This approach not only enhances their learning experience but also reinforces my commitment to developing well-rounded engineers who can lead with integrity in their future careers.
Being an alumnus of UTM from Bachelor to PhD have the pros and cons. The cons are mainly regarding my global networking capability is quite limited compared to my other colleagues that have graduated from other universities. Hence, to overcome these challenges, I must seek opportunity to collaborate with other researchers from other top universities by accepting their invitation to review journal papers and enhanced research partnership inter university. However, the pros are mainly due to familiarity in UTM research and academic system. Being in UTM for the past 8 years have made me well verse to the system and made me to have an upper hand to grab the opportunity in terms of research collaboration and research grants.