Merdeka Reflections: Duty Beyond Off Days

Today, while most would consider it an off day, my hours were once again devoted to official responsibilities that reflect the continuous commitment required in academia and governance. In the spirit of Merdeka—where sacrifice and service define our independence, I found myself immersed in multiple layers of work.

This morning, I received new tasks related to the Research University audit by Jabatan Audit Negara (JAN), passed to me by Bahagian Universiti Penyelidikan dan Impak, JTNCPI UTM. It was my first time seeing this part of the audit, but it came right after an intense weekend. Since Friday and Saturday, I had already been preparing details of publications from university and national research grants (2021–2024) for the JAN audit, demanding and stressful due to the scope. On top of that, I also spent my Saturday through Monday completing the Audit Lanjutan for Unit Audit Dalaman (UAD), UTM. With overlapping audits, it truly feels like being bombarded with layers of scrutiny.

Beyond the audits, I carried forward my teaching duties. I finalized the test and exam materials for my short semester course, Master Energy METE 1153: Occupational Safety for Energy System, while also resolving a hiccup where two lecture videos could not be accessed. The issue was rectified and clarified for students to ensure smooth learning.

On top of that, I also prepared myself for a 3-day work trip to the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) in Putrajaya (2–4 September 2024), where I will accompany 15 UTM researchers pitching for their PRGS proposals. Thanks to my wife’s help, accommodation was arranged at Dorsett Hotel, Putrajaya.

Speaking of her support, my wife also assisted me today in registering my publication in RADIS. While the system was supposed to automatically import my publication data this year, some technical issues forced me to manually input the details—a task familiar to many researchers.

Lastly, I took the chance to print out my slides for the NALI Educator Award 2025 presentation, intended for the panels. I will pass them to my assistant through my better half, so that CDEX UTM can provide them directly. Hopefully, having a hard copy will make it easier for the panels to engage with my content.

Though today was technically an off day, I am reminded of the essence of Merdeka: service, responsibility, and dedication. Just as independence was achieved through perseverance, the work we continue to do in education, research, and nation-building is our contribution to Malaysia’s future, even when it extends beyond working hours.

#20242025 Day 063

#Monday (Off-day)

A Day of Governance and Grants: JKP JTNCPI, JKP RMC, Grant Briefings, and Audit in Motion

Today unfolded as one of those days where the boundaries between leadership, scholarship, and administration seemed to blur into one continuous flow of responsibility.

The morning began at Dewan Senat Ainuddin Wahid, Canseleri UTM, where I attended the MESYUARAT JAWATANKUASA PENGURUSAN JABATAN TIMBALAN NAIB CANSELOR (PENYELIDIKAN DAN INOVASI) BIL. 4/2025 at 9:00 AM. My role was as a member of the meeting and also (for today) to present a paper work outlining the requirements for academic staff traveling abroad to have complete insurance coverage. Our management is taking interim steps to support staff performing official research activities by covering insurance premium costs, while simultaneously encouraging researchers to include such costs in their research proposals. Arriving early allowed me to prepare for the presentation, and also to polish my NALI Educator Award 2025 slides, where I added two more reflecting my 2024 and 2025 scholarly engagements.

Right after Friday prayers, my pace quickened again as I rushed back to RMC for the JKP RMC Management Meeting at 2:15 PM. I was glad I had suggested an earlier start time; otherwise, the meeting would have drifted to 2:45 PM, losing valuable minutes. Here, I presented my Laporan Perkara Berbangkit (LPB), which focused on synthesizing a new document to streamline research expenditure. The proposal aims to reduce unnecessary bottlenecks, moving away from repeatedly asking sponsors for permission when research expenses don’t perfectly mirror proposals. In theory, this aligns with Weber’s critique of bureaucratic rigidity, where efficiency often gets lost in layers of rules. Our initiative is a small step toward more flexible governance in research management. Just wait for it to be finalized, perfected, and announced.

But I couldn’t stay long. By 3:00 PM, I had to be at the JTNCPI office, Bilik Mesyuarat Belian, for a Grant Briefing. As the sole RMC representative, I was there to provide my support and expertist. We commenced at 3.05pm via Webex (with nearly 400 people joined), listened to Prof. Farid, who spoke on research alliances, followed by Prof. Johari Surip and PM Dr. Sabrina Adam, who shared insights on community grants. I helped to respond several questions asked in Webex chat, and at times, explain verbally too. This multiplicity of roles, teaching, administering, advocating for researchers, reminded me of role theory in sociology, where individuals constantly juggle multiple, and sometimes conflicting, social expectations.

After the briefing, I returned to the JKP meeting, which stretched until 6:20 PM. By then, our discussions had shifted to Audit Lanjutan feedback requiring responses to Unit Audit Dalaman (UAD), UTM. Exhausting as it was, it also reinforced the principle of Durkheim’s functionalism: every piece of this process, however tedious, contributes to the larger stability and integrity of the institution.

And yet, even as the day’s formal agenda ended, my responsibilities did not. Hanging over the weekend is the continuing task of preparing documents for Jabatan Audit Negara’s Research University (RU) audit. In moments like these, I am reminded of work–life balance theories, which argue for clear separation between personal time and professional duties. But in practice, especially in academia and administration, that line is porous. The audit doesn’t wait for weekends, and responsibility stretches beyond the calendar.

As Merdeka season reminds us, freedom often comes with responsibility. Today’s string of meetings, presentations, and preparations may feel relentless, but they are all part of the collective endeavor to strengthen UTM’s role in research and education, an institutional “independence” built on accountability, teamwork, and vision.

#20242025 Day 060

#Friday

From Classroom to Community: CQI Reporting and IBD Wellness Day Presentation

Today was one of those days where official responsibilities seemed to overlap endlessly. I began by presenting my CQI (Continuous Quality Improvement) and CRR (Course Review Report) for two courses I taught last semester: Occupational Safety in Energy System (METE1153) with 29 students, and Quality Standard (METL1153) with just 2 students. I must admit, I was fortunate to have my better half guide me through the technicalities, especially with the CQI documentation and the uploading process. With the constant stream of administrative duties at RMC, some procedural details tend to slip my mind.

Before and after this task, I turned my attention to preparing for my session on Contract Research Double Tax Deduction grant opportunities. This presentation will be delivered during the IBD Wellness Day 2025 at the Institute of Bioproduct Development (IBD), UTM. Events like these are important platforms to connect research with societal impact, demonstrating how academia supports industry and the economy at large.

In between these two commitments, I also worked on my slides for a 2:30 PM meeting, which I chaired, focusing on preparations for the upcoming two-day visit by Jabatan Audit Negara (JAN) officers in September. The session brought together staff from RMC’s Governance and Finance divisions, alongside my own team. It was encouraging to see the collaborative energy, everyone understood the stakes and contributed to ensuring a solid plan ahead.

Reflecting on today through a social theory lens, I see strong elements of role theory at play. In one moment, I was performing my role as an educator, ensuring accountability through CQI and CRR. In the next, I stepped into my role as a UTM research administrator, strategizing for grant opportunities and audits. Each role carries different expectations, norms, and pressures, yet they coexist within the same individual. Navigating these multiple roles can be demanding, but it also highlights the adaptability required in academic life.

At the same time, today’s teamwork resonates with structural functionalism, the idea that each part of the system must function well to maintain stability. From colleagues assisting in audit preparation to my spouse guiding me in academic reporting, every contribution ensured the larger “system” of my workday remained intact.

By 5:00 PM, I switched gears completely and joined a game of volleyball at the Arena, at UTM Stadium area. It was a refreshing way to loosen up after a packed day, a small attempt to balance work and life. But of course, in true academic fashion, balance is never absolute, just before playing, I had a short discussion with my postdoc right there at the volleyball court. Work and life don’t always separate neatly, but sometimes, that’s where the most genuine collaborations and conversations happen.

In the evening, after Isya’, my day was far from over. I devoted nearly three hours, stretching close to midnight, to prepare and finalize my slides for the NALI Educator Award 2025. It was a race against time, but I managed to submit them just before the deadline. Alhamdulillah, the task was completed. At that point, all that remained was to leave the outcome to Allah, tawakal, trusting that I had given my best effort.

This experience reminded me that dedication and discipline are seen as virtues that shape not only personal success but also institutional progress. Yet, my submission also resonates with the Islamic philosophy of balance: while we strive relentlessly with our intellectual and physical energy (ikhtiar), the final results are ultimately in God’s hands (tawakal).

In a way, this balance reflects the paradox of academic life: we are always caught between deadlines, expectations, and accountability, while at the same time needing to cultivate humility and acceptance. Just as Giddens’ structuration theory suggests, human agency operates within enabling and constraining structures, in this case, tight deadlines, institutional requirements, and our own inner drive to contribute meaningfully.

Closing the day on that note gave me a sense of calm after the turbulence of endless CQI presentations, talk at IBD, meetings, rushing deadlines etc. It was a reminder that even in the busiest of schedules, the act of surrender, acknowledging what lies beyond our control, is what makes the academic journey sustainable and meaningful.

Though tiring, days like this remind me that academia is not just about individual performance but about interdependence, the network of support, collaboration, and shared responsibility that sustains us all.

#20242025 Day 059

#Thursday

From Early Morning Assessments to Strategic Research Meetings – A Day in Service of UTM’s Research Management

Today started early, by 8:00 a.m., I was already engaged in the Fast Track Qualifying Assessment for Iyliana Hylda Fitri Haron, conducted online via Cisco Webex. I had informed the panel beforehand that I could only stay until 9:00 a.m., as I needed to attend the Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Dana (JKPD) immediately after.

The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Fatin Aliah Phang, with the examiner panel comprising myself (Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Zaki Yamani Zakaria), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahyuddin bin Arsat, and Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Liew Peng Yen. The main supervisor was Ts. Dr. Zulhasni bin Abdul Rahim. The research title, “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration among Malaysian Engineering Graduates”, is both timely and impactful, reflecting the growing importance of inclusive practices in engineering collaborations.

At exactly 9:00 a.m., I had to excuse myself from the assessment to join the JKPD meeting — a crucial platform for steering UTM’s Research, Development, Commercialisation, and Innovation (R&D&C&I) priorities. While the details of the meeting remain confidential, its focus was squarely on strengthening UTM’s research direction and aligning with strategic priorities.

After lunch, my attention shifted to Project Management and Monitoring Division (PMMD) matters, resolving various operational issues that keep our research projects running smoothly. I also managed to squeeze in time to register an R&D Fund in RADIS, ensuring that administrative processes for research funding are properly in place.

It was a full and purposeful day — moving from nurturing future researchers in the morning, to shaping research priorities at the institutional level, and finally, keeping the engine of project management running. Days like this remind me how interconnected every role is in building and sustaining a strong research ecosystem at UTM.

#20242025 Day 044

#Wednesday

A Rare Free Morning, Productive Work, and an Afternoon of Strategic Discussions

Today, I was fortunate to have an unexpectedly free morning after the Postdoc Monitoring Session scheduled earlier was cancelled. For someone in an administrative role like mine, uninterrupted time during office hours is a rare and precious commodity. Those three to four hours without meetings or official commitments allowed me to focus fully on my personal official tasks — particularly research-related work and publication matters. Alhamdulillah, I managed to complete several important items on my to-do list, and the sense of progress was deeply satisfying. In the busy world of administration, such blocks of time are gold, enabling deep, focused work that is otherwise difficult to achieve amidst back-to-back meetings.

During the morning, I also had the chance to meet Dr. Nor Farahwahida to discuss strategies and review the progress of our Engineering Education PhD student. These one-to-one discussions are crucial in ensuring that students remain on track and that supervisory teams are aligned in their guidance.

After lunch, I attended a mock presentation session at the RMC Meeting Room for Dr. Norhafiza Khalid’s KKP project proposal, which has been shortlisted for presentation in the KKP 2025 Proposal Presentation Session on 21 August 2025. This mock session was an opportunity to refine the proposal pitch and strengthen its content before the actual presentation. It was an engaging session, filled with constructive feedback and ideas for improvement. Unfortunately, I could not stay until the end, as I received an unexpected call from my superior, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation).

I immediately proceeded to his office for a lengthy discussion on a particular matter concerning research funding. The issue at hand was complex, and while we explored several possible solutions, none felt like the perfect fit. We agreed to revisit the topic in greater detail during tomorrow morning’s JKPD meeting, where more stakeholders can weigh in.

By the time the discussion ended, I realised how mentally demanding the day had been. The meeting required deep concentration, critical thinking, and strategic decision-making — the kind of cognitive effort that leaves you both mentally drained and professionally fulfilled.

It was a day of unexpected openings, productive use of precious time, and high-level problem-solving — a reminder that in the world of research management, flexibility and readiness to pivot are as important as planning itself.

A Day at the RMC: Driving Research Excellence Through Strategic Management (via JKP Meeting)

Today’s main focus was participating in the Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan (JKP) of the Research Management Centre (RMC), a vital platform for steering UTM’s research ecosystem towards greater impact.

The day began early, at 7:30 am, with me settling the Laporan Perkara Berbangkit (LPB) for the JKP RMC. This preparatory work was essential to ensure that every outstanding issue from the previous meeting was properly documented and ready for discussion.

At 2:00 pm, we convened in Bilik Mesyuarat 1, Aras 2, RMC for the Mesyuarat Pentadbiran Pusat Pengurusan Penyelidikan Bil. 11/2025. The session, which lasted until 6:00 pm, was packed with updates, approvals, and strategic deliberations.

The agenda reflected the breadth and depth of RMC’s role:

  • Postdoctoral & Junior Visiting Researcher Reports – assessing talent contributions and outcomes.
  • Blueprint@enVision 2025 Achievements – measuring progress towards our institutional research vision.
  • Division Performance Updates – from Research University & Impact (RUID) to Governance (GD), ensuring every arm of RMC is aligned and delivering.
  • Approval Requests – including the organization of a Data Analytics course using Google Sheet & Looker Studio, and operational matters such as office phone provisions.
  • Outstanding Issues – tackling technical challenges like the RADIS system tickets and the closure of completed research grants.
  • Other Matters – ranging from strategic workshop resolutions, budgetary needs, and NYR appointments to collaborative grant proposals and contract research criteria improvements.

The importance of this meeting cannot be overstated. It is here that several technical decisions within RMC’s scope and power are made to shape UTM’s research direction, resolve operational bottlenecks, and approve initiatives that strengthen our capabilities. Every discussion and decision has a ripple effect on research funding, execution, governance, and ultimately, impact.

Following the JKP RMC, we moved straight into the JKPBPP meeting, ensuring that the day’s momentum in research governance continued seamlessly.

By the end of the day, the hours of discussion and careful deliberation left me feeling both intellectually enriched and deeply aware of the collaborative effort it takes to keep a research institution running efficiently.

Some other tasks accomplished today include meeting with my ex-student, SG (image above), who has completed his bachelor Chemical Engineering studies and will fly to Australia early September 2025. I also had a discussion with my Postdoc about several projects, and also settled other RMC related tasks and also JKPD LPB.

#20242025 Day 042

#Monday

Spending My Sunday for METE1153: Occupational Safety in Energy System eLearning for Short Semester

Today, while most people were enjoying a relaxing Sunday, I spent a big chunk of my day preparing the e-learning materials for my Master of Energy course, METE1153 – Occupational Safety in Energy Systems. This short semester is my first, and I have six students enrolled.

Since this is my first time teaching during a short semester, I decided to take an approach that empowers self-learning. The idea is to design the course so that my students can learn almost independently, with clear and engaging content that guides them step by step.

For a short semester, combining e-learning with a self-learning strategy is both a smart and important choice because it addresses the challenges of compressed academic timelines while still supporting student success. Short semesters often have tight schedules and limited time for in-depth discussion, so e-learning provides students with the flexibility to access materials anytime and anywhere. This allows them to review and understand concepts at their own pace, revisiting complex topics as needed without being restricted to fixed class hours. A self-learning approach also maximizes student autonomy, encouraging them to take responsibility for their learning, manage their time effectively, and develop critical thinking skills, all of which are valuable beyond the classroom.

Another benefit is that this strategy frees up more time for application. With less emphasis on live lectures, students can focus on assignments, quizzes, and projects that reinforce their understanding, while class time can be used to clarify doubts and discuss real-world applications. For lecturers, once the content is prepared, such as notes, videos, and quizzes, it becomes a reusable resource for future semesters, including Online Distance Learning formats, ensuring consistent quality while reducing workload in the long term. This method also caters to different learning styles, providing materials that suit visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners, and supporting students who may need to move faster or slower than the average pace. Ultimately, by having access to comprehensive resources and the freedom to learn at their own pace, students in short semesters are better prepared for quizzes, assignments, and final assessments, making this approach a win-win for both learners and educators.

Two weeks ago, I had already completed the materials for Week 1. Today, I managed to prepare for Weeks 2 through 6, Alhamdulillah, it was a productive and fulfilling day. My aim is not just to teach this semester, but also to lay the foundation for my upcoming Online Distance Learning (ODL) version of METE1153 over the next two semesters. By doing the heavy lifting now, I believe the process will be much smoother later.

The content I prepared includes:

  • PDF lecture notes
  • Instructional videos
  • Self-quizzes
  • Report assignments
  • Video assignments
  • And other interactive elements

This week, InsyaAllah, I plan to continue developing Week 7 to Week 10 content and also work on marking Assignment 1 and Assignment 2. It’s a lot of work, but I’m genuinely happy to invest the time now so that my students — and future cohorts — will have a meaningful and enriching learning experience.

In the end, it’s all about giving our best effort today so that tomorrow becomes easier.

#20242025 Day 041

#Sunday

Morning to Afternoon with the PDRU Postdoc Monitoring Team

Today, my morning and early afternoon were dedicated to an important task, serving as part of the PDRU postdoc monitoring team. The monitoring session was held at UTM RMC, divided into two panels. The first team consisted of Prof. Dr. Farid Said and PM Dr. Ezza Syuhada Sazali, while the second team, hosted in my office, was made up of myself and Prof. Hafiz Dzarfan. Each team was assigned to review 10 postdoctoral researchers who were appointed in 2023 (the majority) and 2024. Off course, the Postdoc secretariat were with us.

The session was engaging and insightful, with each postdoc presenting their progress, challenges, and research outputs. By 12.30 pm, we had completed all our scheduled reviews for the day.

Monitoring postdocs is a crucial exercise for the university. These researchers are appointed with the clear expectation of producing high-quality Q1 and Q2 journal papers, contributing significantly to UTM’s research excellence and global reputation. Through structured monitoring, we ensure that they are on track with their research objectives, receiving the guidance they need, and delivering outputs that strengthen the university’s standing in international rankings.

For me, it was not just a formal evaluation. It was also an opportunity to interact with highly talented researchers, understand their work in depth, and help them navigate challenges so they can produce impactful results. In the end, effective postdoc monitoring is not just about accountability; it is about nurturing excellence and driving innovation for the benefit of the university and the broader research community.

Other tasks today include attending the Pra-JKPD meeting of PPMU at T03.

#20242025 Day 039

#Friday

From RMC Teh Tarik to Sunway: A Day of Projects, Consultations, and Preparation for IChemE Career Discovery Workshop 2025

This morning began like many others at the Project Management and Monitoring Division (PMMD) of RMC, juggling multiple project-related tasks, monitoring updates, and assisting researchers with their grants (from far). Today, however, had an extra twist: it was RMC Teh Tarik Day. This is our monthly open-door session where researchers are encouraged to drop by and consult directly with our PMMD and Finance teams on any project management or funding-related matters.

I had the opportunity to sit down with PM Dr. Lee Ting Hun and Dr. Nardiah from the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FCEE). Both had questions and uncertainties regarding their projects, and we were able to walk through their concerns together. It’s always fulfilling to see how these sessions not only resolve immediate issues but also help researchers feel more confident in navigating the administrative side of their work.

After lunch, the day shifted gears as we travelled to Sunway Hotel, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, for the upcoming IChemE Career Discovery Workshop 2025, jointly organized by IChemE, Sunway University, and Monash University. I made the decision to arrive a day earlier to avoid the rush of same-day travel.

This time, I was joined by my wife and Marsya. I thought it would be a great opportunity for Marsya to gain some early exposure to professional events and to experience the inspiring environment of Sunway University. We took the scenic route, walking (burning some caloories) via the canopy walk from Sunway Pyramid, and arrived at the campus around 6.30pm.

The first impression was nothing short of super impressive. Sunway University’s facilities are modern, spacious, and thoughtfully designed to encourage collaboration. Everywhere we looked, there were open discussion areas, well-equipped study spaces, and visible Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) signage. It’s clear that Sunway doesn’t just talk about sustainability, they live it.

After returning to the hotel, I shifted into presentation mode. Tomorrow, I’ll be delivering my session on Renewable Energy, and I spent the evening finalizing my slides. The content includes pie charts, key policy references, graphics, and discussions on both challenges and innovative solutions in the renewable energy sector. It’s always exciting to be part of a platform that connects academia, industry, and young engineers, and tomorrow promises to be one of those days.

#20242025 Day 037

#Wednesday

Understanding QS World University Rankings: Insights from the Special Briefing at UTM

Today, I had the opportunity to attend a special talk on the QS World University Rankings, by Mr. E. Way Chong, held at Dewan Kuliah 7, N24, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The session was conducted by representatives from Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the organization behind this globally recognized university ranking system. The event saw the attendance of many UTM administrators, reflecting the importance of the QS ranking to the university’s strategic direction and global standing.

The QS World University Rankings are an annual evaluation of universities worldwide, providing comparative insights across various indicators such as academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, citations per faculty (research impact), international faculty and student ratio, and more recently, sustainability and international collaboration. These rankings are highly regarded by students, academic institutions, researchers, and even governments, who use them to benchmark excellence in higher education.

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) is a British higher education analytics company established in 1990. Since publishing its first global ranking in 2004, QS has grown to become one of the most influential ranking bodies in the world, providing insights that guide institutional improvement and student decision-making globally. The QS rankings exist not only to assist students in making informed choices about where to study but also to help universities benchmark their performance, guide institutional planning, attract international collaborations, and support government and funding decisions.

For universities like UTM, the QS rankings are highly relevant. They influence the university’s global reputation, impact international student recruitment, guide internal strategy, and provide a framework for institutional improvement. Rankings also affect funding prospects, partnerships, and how employers view the institution’s graduates. In short, rankings matter, and they offer tangible benefits beyond prestige.

In the most recent QS World University Rankings, UTM continues to show commendable performance. UTM’s latest rank at 153 (2026). It ranks within the top 100–200 globally, particularly excelling in engineering and technology fields. UTM has demonstrated improvements in areas such as research output, international faculty recruitment, and sustainability initiatives, while maintaining a strong reputation among employers. These results reflect UTM’s dedication to maintaining high academic standards and expanding its global impact.

The impact of the QS World Rankings on UTM is significant. It enhances UTM’s global visibility, making it more attractive to international students, collaborators, and institutions. Rankings also serve as a benchmark for internal improvement, motivating faculties and departments to improve research, teaching quality, and student outcomes. Additionally, as the Ministry of Higher Education often references global rankings in policy and funding decisions, QS performance can indirectly influence national recognition and support.

In summary, today’s briefing was a valuable reminder that rankings such as QS are more than just numbers, they represent the university’s broader mission to strive for excellence in education, research, and global engagement. As UTM continues to advance its status as a leading research university, the QS World University Rankings will remain a key indicator and driver of its international aspirations and institutional progress.

#20242025 Day 036

#Tuesday