From Equations to Applications: Mathematics Beyond Boundaries
My name is Shahirah Abu Bakar, and welcome to my profile at people.utm.my.
About Dr. Shahirah Abu Bakar
Dr. Shahirah Abu Bakar is a senior lecturer at the Department of Mechanical Precision Engineering, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She is also a researcher and a team member at Takasago Thermal/Environmental Systems (TTES) iKohza, MJIIT, UTM KL. At MJIIT, she teaches Mathematics for Engineering and Engineering Statistics. She is renowned for her contributions to the field of fluid dynamics research, particularly in mathematical modelling, heat transfer, nanofluid dynamics, and optimization analysis. She is currently a HOPE Fellow under the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), reflecting her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge through international collaboration.
Honors and Awards
2024
HOPE Fellowship
Awarded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) in attending the 15th HOPE Meeting with Nobel Laureates at Kyoto, Japan in February 2024.
2024
Gold Award in Japanese Language Competition
Awarded Gold medal at the Competition of Japanese Speech Contest (non-native speaker) at MJIIT, UTM KL in November 2024.
2025
Two Funded Research Projects
Serves as a principal investigator (PI) for two research projects – one is funded by Takasago Thermal Engineering (TTE) Japan, and another one is funded by UTM.
Professional Journey
DECEMBER 2022 - Present
Senior Lecturer (DS13)
Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), UTM KL
Dr. Shahirah is currently teaching mathematics and statistics courses to students pursuing a Bachelor of Mechanical Precision Engineering at MJIIT, UTM KL. In addition, she is focusing in fluid dynamics research, where she collaborates with esteemed universities and industry partners.
JANUARY 2021 - DECEMBER 2022
Post-doctoral Researcher
Institute for Mathematical Research (INSPEM), UPM
During her time at UPM, she supported fellow lecturers in delivering core mathematics courses while also making significant contributions to numerous high-impact publications.
JUNE 2011 - JUNE 2012
Statistician
OPR Hangzhou Offshore Co. Ltd., Kuala Lumpur and Hangzhou, China
While working as a statistician for an oil and gas company, she was assigned to a project focused on analyzing data related to oil spills in Hangzhou, China. During her time in China, her supervisor inspired her to pursue a Master’s degree in fluid dynamics research.
Educational Background
Ph.D. in Fluid Dynamics, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 2015 - 2018.
Research Area: Mathematical modelling, Heat transfer, Radiation, Boundary condition, Stability analysis
MSc. Fluid Dynamics, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 2015 - 2018.
Research Area: Mathematical modelling, Heat transfer, Darcy-Forchheimer model, Forced convection
BSc (Hons) Mathematics with Statistics, Universiti Industri Selangor, 2008 - 2012.
Major study is in applied mathematics and applied statistics. The research area for the thesis: Algebra, Matrix, Hamming Code
Phone
(+603) 2203 1545
Address
Department of Mechanical Precision Engineering, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 54100, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, Kuala Lumpur