How did I end up in academia?

During my secondary school, the thought of being academia never crossed my mind.  At that time, my mission was only to do my best for each subject and beat my sister’s result in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM). Alhamdulillah, my mission accomplished. I’m not the best student but I always target myself to be among the best. Then, I wished to further my study in accountancy as I got A for the subject. Yet, I didn’t get the opportunity. I went to Matriculation for Physical Science programme. With the tight schedule, I slowly developed my time management skills and Alhamdullilah, my pointer for matriculation was among the best. As chemistry was my favourite subject, I have set a goal to become a chemical engineer. While waiting for the result from UPU especially Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) had offered Bachelor of Science (Mathematics). Within one day, I accepted the offer and continue my master’s degree with the same course at different university which is UTM. I just go with flow until phd. From mathematician, I changed my field to biomedical engineering. I believe that if you are willing to learn, you are willing to change. On the other hand, my parents really want me to become an academia. My goal was to make their dream come true. By chance, I become academia.

How to sustain in academia?

As I become academia by chance, a mentor and research group play the most important role for me to sustain in academia within the ecosystem. Their guidance and moral support could lead me to conduct or expand the research, to become a good leader and to become a great teacher. My mentor was Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Saiful Amri Mazlan, Director of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation). He taught me to always strategizes my plan in teaching, supervising and networking. By using my mathematics and biomedical engineering background, he opened the door for me to explore the smart materials in mechanical engineering. I believe that when step out of my comfort zone, it ultimately helps me to deal with change and making change in a better way. Since life transitions are all about change and for each transition, I might move to another level. In other words, these life transition will transform me to be more productive and push my boundaries in the future. I find that the life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Furthermore, transfer the knowledge give me satisfaction. Motivate and inspire other people makes me feel so blessed. Explored a new thing and gain knowledge are interesting. Everything I do, I will do with the sake of Allah not because of what I get in return. All in all, I could sustain in academia within myself through this principle.

Let’s soar high in academia!!