Learning Analytics Training

Posted on July 17, 2025 ·

Today was not too packed or hectic, Alhamdulillah.
In the morning, I attended a four-hour online training session on Learning Analytics, delivered by PM Dr. Nurbiha. Initially, I was fully engaged and learned a great deal. However, midway through, my focus was disrupted due to several urgent research management (RM) issues that required discussion with the top management.

At the same time, running in parallel with the training, there was also the MRUN monitoring session – a presentation session for Performance and Financial Report Monitoring under the MRUN Research Officer Grant Scheme (MROGS) – UTM.

After lunch, I joined a meeting to discuss eLPPT research input and output calculation, together with MJ, the RMC Director, and Deputy Director.

#20242025 Day 017

#Thursday

Filed Under: 1 Academic, 1 Activity 1 Day, 10 Administrative, 2 Research, Meeting, Training Tagged With: , , ,

Attended Bengkel MyCite 2025 at USIM

Posted on July 16, 2025 ·

Date: 16th July 2025
Venue: Seminar Room, Level 4, Library, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM)
Participants: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zaki Yamani Zakaria, Dr. Nurzal Effiyana, and Wan Akmal Izzati (AJEE Journal Manager)
Driver: Mr. Hussin (UTM Driver)

We began our journey as early as 5:30 a.m., heading to USIM to participate in the MyCite Workshop 2025. Our main objective was to gain insights and guidance on the requirements and evaluation process for journal acceptance into MyCite, with the ultimate goal of paving the way for ASEAN Journal of Engineering Education (AJEE)’s future inclusion in Scopus.

The session, although slightly altered from its original plan, proved highly valuable. The workshop was initially scheduled to be conducted by Prof. Dato’ Roslan Abd Shukor, Chairman of the MyCite Technical Evaluation Committee. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, he was replaced at the last minute by Prof. Dr. Abrizah Abdullah from Universiti Malaya, who is also a member of the MyCite Technical Committee. Her sharing was informative and clarifying, especially for me, as this was my first time attending a MyCite-related workshop.

Prof. Dr. Abrizah Abdullah explaining the MyCite evaluation process
It’s funny that I forgot to snap a photo of any USIM signage, but I managed to snap this photo at level 3 of the USIM library, which is quite a unique setup.

I must acknowledge the excellent groundwork done by our journal manager, Izzati, who has diligently ensured that the AJEE aligns with most of the critical indexing criteria. This puts us in a stronger position as we prepare for MyCite’s 2025 evaluation cycle.

Overall, the trip was productive and meaningful. We return with renewed clarity and motivation to fulfill the remaining requirements for AJEE’s inclusion into MyCite, an essential step toward our broader ambition of gaining recognition under Scopus.

✅ Other Tasks Completed Today:

  1. Finalized and submitted a full paper to ReCASE 2025, targeted for publication in the Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis (BCREC).
  2. Managed miscellaneous RMC-related tasks remotely, including emails and follow-ups.

#20242025 Day 016

#Wednesday

Filed Under: 1 Activity 1 Day, 10 Administrative, 2 Research, 4 Publication, Workshop Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Sharing Session with RC and RG from Faculty of Civil Engineering (FKA) on Research Grant Opportunities

Posted on July 15, 2025 ·

Date: 15 July 2025 | Time: 2:30 PM | Venue: BMU, Faculty of Civil Engineering (FKA), UTM

I was invited by the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FKA), UTM to deliver a sharing session on available research grants during their Research Centre (RC) and Research Group (RG) meeting. The aim was to provide exposure to RC and RG leaders on potential funding avenues that can support their research initiatives.

Although initially requested to speak about UTM internal grants only, I broadened the session to cover:

  • National grants (e.g., FRGS, PRGS, TRGS, etc.),
  • International funding schemes, and
  • UTM’s internal research grants, including preliminary insights into the 2025 internal grant planning, which is informed by MOHE’s allocated budget.

The session, originally allocated 30 minutes, extended to about 45 minutes due to active engagement and questions from attendees. I shared the PDF version of my slides with participants for future reference and further reading.

Follow-up Invitation

The next day, I was contacted by Prof. Safuan from FKA, who requested that I deliver a similar presentation to a group of new academic staff (under 5 years of service). Insha’Allah, I have agreed to support this initiative, as it aligns well with efforts to strengthen the awareness and readiness of early-career researchers in securing grants.

✅ Other Activities on the Same Day

9:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Attended and actively participated in the Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Dana (JKPD) meeting.

#20242025 Day 015

#Tuesday

Filed Under: 1 Activity 1 Day, 10 Administrative, 2 Research, Meeting, Speaker Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Debriefing Meeting – PMMD and FD

Posted on July 14, 2025 ·
Examiners’ Report form for Qualifying Assessment to PhD

The last Debriefing Meeting I chaired was held in March 2025, during which Dr. Wan Hairul served as our Senior Research Manager (SRM). However, his tenure at the Research Management Centre (RMC) was short-lived, lasting only 40 days. Subsequently, Nur Fatimah Marwar took over the responsibilities. In line with recent organizational restructuring, we no longer use the title SRM; the role has since evolved into two separate leadership functions—Head of Profund Unit and Head of Promans Unit.

Now, four months later, we convened the next Debriefing Meeting, which marks a renewed commitment to holding these sessions regularly every month, InsyaAllah. Despite current manpower limitations, the Project Management and Monitoring Division (PMMD) continues to strive toward operational stability and effectiveness.

The Debriefing Meeting serves as a critical platform to:

-Discuss and resolve pressing issues faced by both PMMD and the Finance Department (FD).

-Align and synchronize work processes, particularly in areas of overlapping responsibilities, such as grant activation, fund disbursement, and reporting mechanisms.

Meeting Highlights – 8 July 2025:

  • Time: 2:30 PM – 4:50 PM
  • Venue: RMC’s BM1
  • Chaired by: Myself

This session proved to be particularly challenging and complex, with numerous issues tabled for discussion. Notably:

  • Two key issues require separate follow-up meetings due to the involvement of multiple stakeholders and the need for cross-unit consensus before a decision can be made.
  • Several other matters, however, were successfully deliberated and resolved, Alhamdulillah.

Despite the hurdles, the collaborative spirit between PMMD and FD was evident, and all parties demonstrated a shared commitment to improving workflows and service delivery.

As we move forward, these meetings will be instrumental in fostering a more responsive, accountable, and integrated research management ecosystem at UTM. Regular debriefings will not only improve efficiency but also enhance transparency and mutual understanding across divisions.

Other tasks of the day:

  • Endorsing several End Reports (ER)
  • Completing the Examiners Report form for Qualifying Assessment to PhD (MJIIT), for Engineering Education research —> Refer image above.
  • Brief meeting with my SPACE FYP student – Pik.
  • Dealt with various RMC issues (as usual).

#20242025 Day 014

#Monday

Filed Under: 1 Activity 1 Day, 10 Administrative, 2 Research, Meeting, Project Monitoring Tagged With: , , , ,

Weekend Commitment: Supporting a SPACE Final Year Project Student

Posted on July 12, 2025 ·

Weekends are typically seen as a time for rest and personal renewal, especially for most employees. However, for academicians and lecturers, weekends can often be just another extension of our academic responsibilities. While Saturday and Sunday are officially non-working days, it is not uncommon for teaching-related duties to spill over into the weekend due to packed schedules on weekdays.

Today was one such instance. I had to carefully balance my time between personal, family, and social commitments in order to accommodate a mock presentation session for one of my Final Year Project (FYP) students from the SPACE program, UTM’s part-time undergraduate program for working adults.

Given my full-day commitments, I informed my student, who is currently working at a major oil refinery in Pasir Gudang, that we would conduct the mock session later at night, after I returned from attending the Maulidur Rasul Kuliah at Masjid Taman Pulai Indah. We began the mock presentation at 10:25 p.m. and concluded by 11:00 p.m. I listened attentively to his presentation and provided detailed, constructive feedback focused on both the content and delivery aspects. I advised him to revise the slides and submit the improved version to me by tomorrow for final review. I sincerely hope that the revised presentation will reflect significant improvement—InsyaAllah.

Earlier in the day, I also attended a wedding ceremony in Pasir Gudang, following an invitation from a former colleague at Mewaholeh Industries Sdn Bhd, my previous workplace. It was a meaningful social occasion that allowed me to reconnect with old friends, former students, and fellow professionals.

Days like today remind me that while weekends are meant for rest, they can also offer valuable opportunities for mentoring, reflection, and nurturing long-term academic relationships, especially with committed students who juggle work and study in parallel.

#20242025 Day 012

#Saturday

Filed Under: 1 Academic, 1 Activity 1 Day, 11 Personal, 2 Research, 5 Consultancy, 6 Supervision Tagged With: , , ,

Inspection Visit: Ventilation Piping of the Chemical Cabinet at the CREG Laboratory

Posted on July 11, 2025 ·

Last week, I was approached to assist and provide professional advice regarding the ventilation piping system of the chemical cabinet at the CREG Laboratory. The request was made following the advice of Dr. Kamarizan Kidam, the Safety Head at the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, who emphasized the need for a Professional Engineer to inspect and provide input on the matter. After agreeing on the date and time, I arrived at the lab as scheduled today (3 pm after Friday prayer).

This laboratory holds a special place in my journey at UTM, as it was the first lab I worked in—initially as a Research Assistant in 1999, then a Research Officer in 2000, followed by my Master’s studies from 2001 to 2002, and later as a PhD student from 2009 to 2013. Because of this long-standing connection, I felt a deep sense of responsibility and urgency to contribute and help.

Upon inspection, I observed that the overall condition of the lab remains largely unchanged. However, I noted that many critical components, including the fume hood, chemical cabinet, ducting system, ventilation fans, and electrical systems, are aging and require attention. Most notably, the ducting system is in urgent need of an upgrade to ensure full compliance with current laws and safety regulations. While there is a strong intent to make these improvements, cost remains a significant challenge.

Following a discussion with the lab team, I offered several preliminary recommendations. These include:

  • Engaging a qualified consultant to conduct a full technical assessment and provide expert recommendations.
  • Performing a site visit to the recently upgraded Faculty of Science laboratory, which has implemented a new ducting and stack system, to learn from their setup and vendor engagement.

These initial steps will help the team formulate a clearer upgrade strategy that is both compliant and feasible within their budget constraints.

Earlier the same day, I attended the Jawatankuasa Tetap Senat (Penyelidikan & Inovasi) Meeting (Bil. 3/2025) held at Dewan Senat, UTM, which commenced at 9.00 a.m. and concluded at 11.45 a.m. The meeting involved the discussion and approval of several important planning documents and policy papers.

A key highlight of the session was the deliberation on budget planning for research and innovation activities within the university. The chair addressed the ongoing challenges of sustaining UTM’s status as a Research University, especially in the face of reduced financial allocations compared to previous years. Strategic measures and prioritization frameworks were discussed to ensure that research excellence and impact can still be upheld despite the budgetary constraints.


Other tasks of the day:

  • Updating the JKPD LPB and agenda for the upcoming meeting this coming Monday.
  • Evening discussion with my MKKL Master student – ALCOA+ in pharmaceutical industries.
  • Getting an update on our staff visit to SPRM yesterday.
  • Checking the copyright document made by my postdoc.

#20242025 Day 011

#Friday

Filed Under: 1 Academic, 1 Activity 1 Day, 10 Administrative, 2 Research, 5 Consultancy, 8 Professional Engineer Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Prototype Research Grant Scheme (PRGS) 2025 Briefing

Posted on July 10, 2025 ·

It’s that time of the year again. UTM has just received notification from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) regarding the release of the Prototype Research Grant Scheme (PRGS). In response, I was entrusted to conduct the PRGS briefing session, which took place earlier today and began at 9.30 a.m. The session was well attended, with approximately 70 participants comprising academic staff and researchers. Including the Q&A session, the briefing concluded at around 11.10 a.m.

Together with RMC and the Research Alliance, and on behalf of UTM as a whole, we sincerely hope to see a strong response from our research community. Ideally, we are targeting at least 10 applications, with hopes of reaching up to 20 submissions. With a conversion rate of approximately 25%, this could potentially translate into 3 to 6 successful PRGS recipients, a highly encouraging outcome that would contribute meaningfully to our research performance and innovation agenda.

Other tasks of the day: (1) Evaluation of Nexus Pesara Grant (8.15am); (2) Mesyuarat JK Penilaian Dana PPMu Bil.5/2025 (2.30pm); Mesyuarat RA x RMC July 2025 (4.15pm)

Evaluation of Nexus Pesara Grant (8.15am)
Mesyuarat RA x RMC July 2025

#20242025 Day 010

#Thursday

Filed Under: 1 Activity 1 Day, 10 Administrative, 2 Research, Meeting Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

A Visit by SPRM: An Opportunity for Us to Assist Them

Posted on July 8, 2025 ·

Something unexpected beyond my schedule took place and dominated majority of my time today. As I was attending a meeting at the Research Alliance office at 9:00 AM regarding the New Funding Formula (NFF), scheduled to end just before 11:00 AM, I received a call from Wan (10.30am), our assistant at the RMC office. She informed me that four officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) had arrived at our office, requesting to meet either the Director or the Deputy Director.

I immediately returned to the RMC office and met with the officers. In short, they were seeking clarification on a particular matter, and we fully cooperated and provided the necessary assistance. Alhamdulillah, the process went smoothly, and they were able to achieve their objective for the day.

As for us in RMC, we were simply glad to be of help. It was certainly a unique experience, not the kind of official duty typically encountered by an academician or university administrator.

Other tasks performed today: (1) Attending the NFF meeting, (2) Mock presentation for my MKKL student (Nizam about his project ALCOA+ for pharmaceutical industry).

#20242025 Day 008

#Tuesday

Filed Under: 1 Activity 1 Day, 10 Administrative, 2 Research Tagged With: , , , , ,

Marking Test for ODL METE1153 Course

Posted on July 6, 2025 ·

It has been very tough for me to pursue this personal mission – that is to download and mark the test for ODL METE1153 Course – Occupational Safety for Energy System. This was mainly due to my super extravaganza hectic schedule. However, I forced my self, squeezed some time in a peaceful Sunday morning to mark as much as I can. I am pleased with what I did today. There are 10-15% more of marking to be completed, which will be done tomorrow.

In the evening, I was having a second mock presentation for my three FYP students (Tsai, Amy and Syahmi). I can say they have improved their slide and presentation. InsyaAllah they will do better tomorrow, during the official FYP 1 presentation.

#20242025 Day 006

#Sunday

Filed Under: 1 Academic, 1 Activity 1 Day, 2 Research Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Managing ASEAN Journal of Engineering Education (AJEE) Journal Vol. 9, Issue 2

Posted on July 5, 2025 ·

Alhamdulillah, six days ago, AJEE Journal, Vol. 9, Issue 1, was released. There are 9 scholarly papers in that issue, and as the Chief Editor for AJEE, I’m very glad for the release of that issue.

Today, I have just checked and accepted another manuscript, after critical comments and corrections have been made by the author. This paper is quite interesting as it narrates about a technical bootcamp being held in nature in Indonesia. I’m truly excited about the paper as it provides insightful input concerning several educational theories and models.

#20242025 Day 005

Filed Under: 1 Activity 1 Day, 2 Research, 4 Publication Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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