Endorsements
List of Feedbacks and Endorsement
Prof. Dr. Ahmad Zaki Bin Abu Bakar
Principal Fellow & Chief Information Officer
National Council of Professors MALAYSIA
Not every academic has gone through the whole value chain of Research. Innovation, Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship/Enterprise or RICE and excel in all parts like Dr Zaidi Rozan. Most academics would just conduct research and then publish their findings in journals. Not much impact can be obtained by the masses from the research unless it is developed further or innovated to become a new product and then commercialised. Commercialisation of products has many hurdles and if a product has great potentials then the next step is to commercialise it through an enterprise or start-up company. To start, run and sustain an enterprise certainly require a strong entrepreneurship drive, spirit and mindset. All these qualities can be found in Dr Zaidi. Having worked with him in the various parts of RICE especially the IT Technopreneurship program when I was with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, I can testify that he is energetic, creative, innovative, technically competent and technology savvy to be called a technopreneur master. Now, his mission is to impart his knowledge, experience and skills in RICE as the Director of the UTM EXCITE.
Oluwatobi Akanbi
University of Colorado
Colorado Springs, USA
Dr. Zaidi is a remarkable lecturer and advisor, and it has been a pleasure working with him. For example, after I graduated and moved from Malaysia to the United States to further my studies at a Ph.D. level, I have applied a lot of the knowledge I acquired from him to other areas of my life including how to become a resourceful researcher, handle business related task and, how to coordinate projects with a high rate of success. An important aspect of Dr. Zaidi’s interaction with his students is his ability to provide just the right amount of structure yet allow the student some independence to show their creativity. In fact, his class taught me how to use Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) which I have found very useful in organizing and setting timelines for my thesis work milestones. He is one of the best lecturers I have had the opportunity of taking a class with. I personally have benefitted from taking a class with Dr. Zaidi. He is someone I am happy to call a role-model. I am honored to endorse Dr. Zaidi.
Lim Thol Yong & Cheok Ming Jin
Charby Sense – https://www.charbycharge.com/
Technology Start-up Owner, MALAYSIA
We would like to extend our gratitude to you, Dr Zaidi for the unfailing help and guidance you provided throughout our entrepreneurship journey. Back then when our startup was trying to apply for Cradle CIP150 grant, we faced an IP issue, and you personally assisted us to resolve the issue which has help us in securing of the grant. It was of immense help to us! As if not for your help, we would not be able to secure the grant, and our invention – Charby Sense would have never seen the light of day. Besides, the entrepreneurship boot camps your department had organized have
helped us in building our entrepreneurship skills throughout these years. Especially the digital marketing course you’ve invited us back then in 2015, that has empowered us with the knowledge to market our product. We are certain that other students have benefited from these training sessions too. You have always demonstrated patience and persistence when it comes to helping student, and I hope more students will have the chance to meet and learn from you.
Sadayan Riazurrahman
Senior Program Specialist
U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
Associate Professor Ramesh K S @ Dr. Mohd Zaidi Abd Rozan has been instrumental in advancing U.S. Embassy relations with the university especially in the field of technology and entrepreneurship. The U.S. Embassy have collaborated with him in several key areas namely in the field of entrepreneurship and advocating youth mobility and creativity. His office has hosted several high level speakers including Ms. Deborah Magid from IBM and Ms. Rekha Pai from Fast Forward. Dr. Zaidi and team are first rate and have been a wonderful partner and collaborator to many of our entrepreneurship programs.
Ali Javanmardi
Web Developer & Software Engineer
http://www.mandanemedia.com/ & PhD Candidate Western University CANADA
Dr Zaidi has been my supervisor and lecturer, he is a caring individual and really wants the best for his students, he has had a high influence on me, especially in terms of mentality, thinking out of the box, being out of the comfort zone. As a research student, a lot of time you would face problem to tackle your research issues by priority, having a roadmap even though it is not a good one is much better than have nothing and
just randomly sneaking around. I still remember the day I was sitting in the Project Management course and he said it is much better to choose right or left consciously on the 2-way road than just keep going and crashing to the wall. It is great that having individuals like him in life, it gives us inspiration.
Ali Javanmardi
Web Developer & Software Engineer
http://www.mandanemedia.com/ & PhD Candidate Western University CANADA
Dr Zaidi has been my supervisor and lecturer, he is a caring individual and really wants the best for his students, he has had a high influence on me, especially in terms of mentality, thinking out of the box, being out of the comfort zone. As a research student, a lot of time you would face problem to tackle your research issues by priority, having a roadmap even though it is not a good one is much better than have nothing and
just randomly sneaking around. I still remember the day I was sitting in the Project Management course and he said it is much better to choose right or left consciously on the 2-way road than just keep going and crashing to the wall. It is great that having individuals like him in life, it gives us inspiration.
Dr. Chew Yen Seng
PhD, UMIST, Principal Consultant
http://chumbaka.asia/ , MALAYSIA
Dr. Zaidi has been the main driver for Young Innovators Challenge since 2016. He is very resourceful, motivated and easy-going person which makes the program always a success. Working with Dr. Zaidi is always a pleasure as there’s will be many encouraging and impact-full discussion that leads to innovative implementation. He also puts the students gain before his personal interest.
Nor Fadzleen Sa’don
Malaysian-Japan International Institute of Technologies PhD Candidate &
Coach Johor Student Leaders Council, MALAYSIA
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Zaidi was my lecturer during my MSc IT Management studies in 2012. The subject left a lasting impact on my life as I learn the effective ways to manage IT-based projects in my work as a researcher, an educator and one of the coaches for Johor Student Leaders Council. Dr. Zaidi facilitated me and my team, the Wikiwiz, in planning and executing our InfoTech workshop series. We conducted EndNote workshop as
well as DeXter, an online marketplace for freelance labour. Thanks to Dr. Zaidi’s guidance, me and my team are thriving in ourcurrent careers.
Suleiman Abd Rahman,
Scientific Officer, NASRDA Center for Atmospheric Research
NIGERIA
Associate Professor, Dr Mohd Zaidi Abd Rozan The BEST MENTOR. You have taught me more than IT Project Management. Beyond being my supervisor & mentor, you were also a nice friend. The constructive advice, practical lesson you have given as well as exposing me to some models
such as NABC, BMC and many more, have encouraged me to go into innovation and Technology Entrepreneurship that made me a graduate entrepreneur. That completely change my MIND SET. Thanks to Associate Professor, Dr Mohd Zaidi Abd Rozan. I am currently mentoring 7 undergraduate transferring my “Self-Education” and exposing them to some of the model learn from my mentor. Thank you Prof. knowing you is blessing to me and my locality. I wish you the best as you continue to help other young adults using your “Self-Education”.
Mohammad Riazi
Machine Learning Grad Student, University of Alberta
CANADA
Dr. Zaidi has a really distinctive character, and that in his engagement with people in open, mutually beneficial ways. In his project management class and as my MSc supervisor, I learned the power of relationships, connections and engaging with others is the catapult to a higher level for both parties.
Dr Ali Saleh Saed Balaid
FORMER PHD STUDENT
YEMEN
It’s rare that you come across standout talent like Prof. Zaidi. I had the pleasure of working with Prof. Zaidi for four years as a PhD student at the University Technology of Malaysia. Prof. Zaidi had a tremendous impact in helping me prosper as a PhD student. Whenever I had any questions or concerns, Prof Zaidi responded in a timely manner and even followed up later in the week or month to ensure that my issues have been resolved. His dedication, patience and willingness to assist was unlike any I’ve seen before and have motivated me to reach my highest potential. Any student would be lucky to have Prof. Zaidi as a supervisor.
Youcef Benferdia
Former MSc Student & Current Phd CS UKM
Algeria
My dear Prof- Zaidi and Brother… I am lucky to have lecturer like you in this world. Wherever I may go in my life, I will always remember that I had an excellent guide in the form of a teacher, You. Thank you for your guidance, friendship, and even for your discipline. Thank you for creating an
environment of enthusiasm for learning, appreciation for growing. I am grateful to have you as a guide, leading by example. Thank you for sharing your gift of teaching with us! Thank You, Teacher, for all the extra efforts you make to help us grow, and the challenges you encourage us to face to help us become who we are.
Muazzim Mansor Sanusi
Kuhosu Studio – Technology Start-Up Owner
MALAYSIA
I am incredibly grateful to Dr Zaidi, for being a key figure in building my enterprise as a software development studio, and as a role model for personal growth and guidance.
Johan Bin Termizi
Manager, Youth Community & Initiative Cluster – Malaysia Digital
Economy Corporation (MDEC), MALAYSIA
Dr Zaidi and team from UTM, Johor has been working with Educator Readiness, K-12 since 2017 to ensure that teachers in secondary schools teaching Basic Science Computer and Computer Science are ready to integrate Computational Thinking & Computer Science in Teaching & Learning in Schools. Himself and his team trained 150 teachers at his innovation center in UTM, Johor. With his good networking with industry and sound knowledge on Computational Thinking & Computer Science, he has been appointed as the Master Trainer Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Center Leader. He teached and lead 5 team members of Computational Thinking and Computer Science Master Trainer group. As a leader for UTM CPD Center, Dr Zaidi ensure that all information, progress reports of the programme all updated as and when requested. He is also creative in proposing programmes related to computer science – coding etc for teachers during weekends and school holidays.
Mr Heriyan Jumadi
Secondary School Teacher – SMK Bandar Uda Utama Johor Bahru
MALAYSIA
Kami dari SMK Bandar Uda Utama Johor Bahru, Johor merupakan sebuah sekolah baru yang mula beroperasi pada awal 2013 dan kini semakin giat membangunkan potensi pelajar. Berasaskan kerja berpasukan dan kerjasama antara guru, swasta, agensi dan komuniti kami bersama-sama mengembleng tenaga dan usaha untuk mencungkil potensi pelajar dalam bidang akademik atau pun kokurikulum. Justeru banyak usaha telah diceburi dan diterokai. Melalui program dibawah UTM Centre for Innovation & Technology Entrepreneurship (UTM XCITE) dibawah kepimpinan Dr Mohd Zaidi Bin Abd Rozan sekolah kami telah berkolaborasi dalam bidang inovasi dalam mencetus idea melahirkan pelajar yang mempunyai pemikiran aras tinggi, kreatif, inovatif dan berpandangan jauh serta mempunyai daya cipta yang tinggi. Menerusi pembabitan dalam pertandingan yang dijalankan, pelajar telah dapat kemahiran dan pengetahuan dalam bidang penciptaan. Pelajar yang turut serta dalam inovasi semakin meningkat dan minat pelajar dalam bidang STEM juga semakin tinggi. Pelbagai penyertaan juga telah disertai seperti Young Innovate 2016 (Tempat Kedua), Malaysian Agriculture Invention Show 2016 (Silver Medal), Kuala Lumpur Enggineering Science Fair (KLESF) 2017 (Bronze Medal), UTHM Research & Invention Competition 2017 (Silver Medal), Young Inventor Award Jakarta Indonesia 2017 (Gold Award) dan yang terbaru Thailand Inventors Day 2018 Bangkok (Gold Award) dan memperolehi Best Asean Oustanding Invention Award 2018. Daripada penyertaan yang diikuti semakin ramai pelajar yang berminat dan mula menceburkan diri dalam STEM dan seterusnya merealisasikan hasrat KPM dalam menggilap kemenjadian pelajar sejajar dengan perkembangan semasa dalam menempuh cabaran industry 4.0 masa kini. Pembabitan UTM Xcite telah banyak member impak dalam membantu sekolah-sekolah seperti sekolah SMK Bandar Uda Utama dalam melahirkan pelajar yang berpotensi dan berbakat besar.