As a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Skudai, my journey in academia and leadership has been shaped by my diverse experiences, both in the classroom and in industry. In developing my personal leadership plan, I have reflected on the four pillars of leadership: knowing who I am, knowing what I do, knowing what I need to learn, and applying what I know. Through this framework, I aim to cultivate a leadership style that not only enhances my own growth but also positively impacts my students, colleagues, and the broader academic community.
My academic background, which includes both a bachelor degree and PhD in Electrical Engineering from UTM, provides me with the expertise I need to excel in teaching and research. My industry experience, particularly in R&D roles at TDK-Lambda and Intel PSG, has further shaped my perspective and enabled me to bridge the gap between theory and practice. I am passionate about my research in power electronics and optical fiber sensors, and I strive to make a meaningful contribution to these fields. However, I recognize that there is always room for growth, especially in terms of developing greater emotional intelligence and empathy to better connect with my students and colleagues.
The second pillar, knowing what I do, involves understanding my current responsibilities and identifying areas of strength and growth. As a lecturer, my primary role is to educate and mentor students, while contributing to impactful research. I take pride in my ability to engage students through active learning techniques, fostering an environment where critical thinking and problem-solving are central to the learning experience. Additionally, my research in power electronics not only advances knowledge in the field but also enriches the academic offerings of my department. Nevertheless, there are areas where I can improve, particularly in time management. Balancing the demands of teaching, research, and some administrative duties can sometimes be overwhelming, and I aim to refine my strategies to manage these tasks more efficiently.
In this context, I believe that personal development goes beyond technical expertise and leadership skills. One area I plan to focus on is expanding my professional network. By building stronger connections with colleagues both inside and outside my department, as well as with industry partners, I can gain new perspectives and insights that will enrich my teaching and research. I also see value in seeking out mentorship opportunities, both as a mentor and a mentee. Mentorship can provide invaluable guidance, helping me learn from others’ experiences and offer support to those who are earlier in their careers.
This last pillar is about putting my skills and knowledge into practice. As a lecturer, I want to continue improving my teaching methods, especially by incorporating more problem-based learning and interactive activities that engage students. I also plan to take a more active role in research collaborations, both within UTM and with industry partners, to work on projects that solve real-world problems. Additionally, I want to improve how I mentor students by not only guiding them in their academic work but also helping them with career advice and personal growth. Finally, I will seek opportunities for leadership training and peer feedback to keep improving my leadership skills.