My Reflective Journey

Introduction: Self-Leadership as a Compass in Academia

In academia, no one walks a straight and simple path. The journey is often filled with multiple roles; educator, researcher, mentor, reviewer, and community servant. For me, self-leadership is the compass that aligns these roles with purpose. It is the ability to guide my own growth with clarity, discipline, and meaning. As a senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), self-leadership matters because it determines whether I simply meet job requirements or instead build an identity as a purposeful scholar who inspires others.

Self-leadership also prevents me from being carried away by external pressures publication targets, administrative responsibilities, or comparisons with others. By setting my own direction, reflecting critically on my actions, regulating my behavior, and motivating myself with higher values, I gain not only productivity but also peace and sustainability in this career. The Qur’an reminds us:

“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:11)

This verse strengthens my belief that leadership begins with the self. Only by managing my own actions and intentions can I aspire to influence others meaningfully.

Strengths Shaping My Academic Identity

Looking back, I recognize several strengths that allow me to thrive in my current role and lay a foundation for the future.

1. Commitment to Teaching and Student Engagement
Teaching industrial engineering and mechanical courses has taught me that knowledge alone is not enough, delivery and engagement make the difference. I continuously upgrade my teaching strategies through professional certifications in instructional design, incorporating principles such as Mayer’s multimedia guidelines and the Claims-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) framework. These approaches nurture not only problem-solving skills but also critical thinking among my students.

I see teaching as more than just covering a syllabus. It is about mentorship, shaping character, and sparking curiosity. Initiatives like leading Future Pathway for matriculation students remind me that even a one-hour session can inspire students to see engineering as a meaningful pursuit. My strength lies in being able to connect with students both technically and personally.

2. Research and Scholarly Contribution
My research journey began with predictive modeling for high-voltage induction motors and has expanded to process optimization, plasma applications, and AI-driven analysis. Publishing in journals and serving as a reviewer for Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence has given me insight into global research standards. I am proud that my work connects advanced algorithms with real industrial needs, such as predictive maintenance and sustainable manufacturing.

What I consider a strength is not only the technical competence but also the interdisciplinary mindset. I enjoy exploring how Artificial Intelligence can optimize processes, reduce waste, and improve sustainability bridging engineering with broader societal challenges.

3. Collaboration and Youth Development
Another defining strength is my involvement beyond the university walls. Through NGOs like MyFundAction and the National STEM Association, I contribute to youth empowerment and STEM education at the national level. Coordinating large programs and mentoring youth volunteers has sharpened my leadership skills and deepened my understanding of what it means to educate holistically.

This experience reinforces my conviction that academia is not just about producing research output, it must also cultivate socially responsible citizens.

4. Global Outlook with Ethical Anchoring
I aspire to contribute globally, whether through projects such as the planned youth development center in Shibuya, Japan, or through the Islamic Tech Incubator for Ethical AI and Engineering Startups. At the same time, my identity is firmly anchored in Islamic values. This balance between global outreach and ethical grounding gives me a unique lens to approach academic work with integrity and vision.

Challenges and Areas for Improvement

Acknowledging strengths is important, but so is recognizing weaknesses. My journey has not been without challenges.

1. Balancing Multiple Responsibilities
Balancing teaching, research, supervision, reviewing, NGO activities, and family commitments can sometimes feel overwhelming. I realize that without discipline, I risk stretching myself too thin and losing focus on what matters most.

2. Time Management for Deep Work
While I am good at executing projects, I often find it difficult to protect uninterrupted time for writing. High-impact journal papers and grant proposals require concentration, yet urgent tasks and meetings sometimes take priority. Improving this balance is crucial if I want to sustain scholarly output.

3. Developing a Distinct Scholarly Voice
I am still in the process of shaping my scholarly identity. I have research strength in AI and industrial processes, but my long-term aspiration is to integrate ethics, sustainability, and youth development into my academic contributions. Building that coherent voice will take conscious effort.

4. Navigating Academic Leadership
Leadership in academia is not only about knowledge, it is also about influencing policy, managing people, and mentoring colleagues. I am still learning how to operate effectively in this space, and I know this is an area I must strengthen for future leadership roles.

Vision for the Next Ten Years

When I project myself ten years forward, I see four interrelated roles:

A Recognized Scholar: I aim to establish myself as an authority in AI-driven process optimization and predictive maintenance, with a strong track record of Q1 publications, industrial collaborations, and impactful books.
An Inspiring Educator: I want to be remembered by students not just for lectures, but for mentorship that helped them grow in competence and character. My dream is to guide graduates who are both technically skilled and ethically conscious.
A Global Contributor: Through initiatives like the Islamic Tech Incubator and youth development centers abroad, I hope to extend my academic contributions into international spaces. I want to show that research and innovation can be both cutting-edge and value-driven.
An Academic Leader: In ten years, I envision serving as a Professor or Dean, where I can influence institutional strategies to strengthen research culture, promote meaningful student engagement, and integrate ethical perspectives into STEM education.

This vision is guided by the Qur’an’s call to excellence:

“Indeed, Allah loves those who rely upon Him.” (Surah Aal-‘Imran 3:159)

And reinforced by the Prophet ﷺ who said:

“Every one of you is a shepherd and every one of you will be asked about his flock.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

This hadith reminds me that leadership in academia is not about prestige, but about accountability and service to those under my care.

Applying Self-Leadership Principles

1. Goal Setting
I use layered goals: short-term (publish a Q1 article, secure research funding, complete professional certifications), medium-term (build a strong research group, lead national-level projects), and long-term (become a recognized global scholar and leader). Clear goals prevent me from being reactive and keep me aligned with a purposeful trajectory.

2. Self-Reflection
I dedicate time to reflect on whether my actions align with my values. For instance, when I review journal papers or mentor students, I ask myself: am I adding genuine value, or just fulfilling a task? Reflection helps me stay honest and keeps ego in check.

3. Self-Regulation
Academic life brings setbacks—paper rejections, grant denials, tight deadlines. Self-regulation allows me to respond constructively rather than emotionally. I practice time blocking, limit distractions, and remind myself that resilience is part of scholarship.

4. Self-Motivation
My deepest motivation comes from viewing knowledge as an amanah (trust). The Qur’an emphasizes:

“And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.’” (Surah Ta-Ha 20:114)

The Prophet ﷺ also said:

“When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.” (Sahih Muslim)

This hadith is a reminder that teaching and research are not just professional tasks—they are acts of worship and legacies that outlive us. Such reminders keep me motivated to pursue this path with sincerity.

Conclusion: Toward a Purposeful Academic Identity

My journey as a senior lecturer is still at its early stage, but it has already taught me the importance of leading myself before leading others. I have strengths in teaching, research, and youth engagement, but I also face challenges in balance, time management, and scholarly identity.

In the next decade, I envision becoming a recognized scholar, an inspiring mentor, a global contributor, and an academic leader. To achieve this, I will continue applying self-leadership principles; goal setting, reflection, regulation, and motivation to sustain my strengths, address my weaknesses, and refine my academic identity.

Ultimately, I want my career to be more than a pursuit of titles or metrics. I want it to be a journey of meaning where teaching inspires, research contributes, and leadership transforms. Guided by Qur’anic wisdom and Prophetic teachings, I believe self-leadership will help me stay grounded, purposeful, and impactful as I walk this path.