Reviewing Papers for REES 2025 – A Meaningful Afternoon Task

Posted on August 4, 2025 ·

After lunch today, I had the opportunity to join the REES 2025 paper decision workshop — a critical and exciting session as part of the preparation for the upcoming Research in Engineering Education Symposium (REES 2025). For those unfamiliar, REES 2025 is a major international symposium that brings together researchers, educators, and practitioners focused on advancing engineering education. You can find more information about it on the official REES 2025 site.

The main purpose of today’s session was to review and decide on paper submissions. With over 200 papers submitted, the task was not only demanding but also required careful and objective evaluation to ensure that only papers aligning with the scope and quality standards of REES were accepted. As reviewers, we were guided to consider whether the papers fell within the symposium’s central themes and whether they contributed meaningfully to the field of engineering education research.

Despite the workload, it was a genuinely interesting and enriching experience. The diversity of topics submitted — from curriculum innovation to identity development in engineering — highlighted how vibrant and globally relevant engineering education research has become. It also gave us a deeper appreciation for the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into maintaining the academic integrity of international conferences like REES.

I’m grateful to be part of this process and excited to see how REES 2025 unfolds. Looking forward to meeting fellow educators and researchers when the symposium takes place at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia next year!

Other tasks performed today include the preparation of slide from my program at Subway University this coming Thursday, as well as updating a little bit information in my CV.

#20242025 Day 035

#Monday

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

A New Challenge: Designing METE1153 for the Short Semester

Posted on August 3, 2025 ·

About three weeks ago, I received unexpected news: students had registered to take Occupational Safety in Energy Systems (METE1153) during the short semester break. I was honestly quite shocked, as I had been hoping for a well-deserved academic break—especially considering the heavy administrative workload currently on my plate.

Over the past academic year, my teaching responsibilities have been intense. I taught 6 credits in Session 1, followed by another 6 credits in Session 2. Last year during Session 2 alone, I carried a 12-credit load, which included multiple versions of METE1153 (full-time, part-time, and ODL) along with METW1153: Quality Management. Given that context, it’s clear why I was hoping for some breathing space this time around.

However, as it turns out, this will be my first time teaching a course during the short semester. My goal is to structure the course in a self-learning format, allowing students greater flexibility while managing the compressed timeline. There are currently 7 to 9 students enrolled in the course, and I’m hopeful this approach will work well for them.

Today, I spent some time setting up the eLearning platform for METE1153, using the ODL model as my reference. In fact, I’m also working on enhancing the full METE1153 ODL version in parallel. Should I be assigned to this course again next year, it would mark my third time handling METE1153—but that’s still eight months away.

Right now, the pressing challenge is how to compress a traditionally 14-week syllabus into just 8 weeks, without compromising learning quality. I believe I’ve managed to prepare at least 50% of the content and structure for students to begin their self-learning journey today. I hope that they’ll find the materials engaging and beneficial, and that this short semester will still provide meaningful learning, despite its condensed format.

Other official tasks today include coming out with a new novel review paper idea to collaborate with someone from Australia. InsyaAllah.

#20242025 Day 034

#Sunday

Filed Under: 1 Academic, 1 Activity 1 Day, 10 Administrative, 11 Personal, 2 Research Tagged With: , , , , , ,

FRGS 2025: A Sudden Turn, a Tight Deadline, and a Research Mission That Matters

Posted on August 2, 2025 ·

The Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), funded by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), faced an unexpected disruption in early February 2025 when the MyGRANTS system abruptly went offline. Since then, the fate of FRGS proposals and the many researchers who had applied, remained uncertain, leaving a cloud of doubt over the national research agenda.

However, today brought a surprising development. All FRGS applicants from the early 2025 cycle, including myself, received an email notification instructing us to improve and resubmit our proposals manually. Specifically, we were asked to include supporting quotations for V24000 (research materials), V28000 (professional services), and V29000 (rental and maintenance). What came as a shock was the urgency of the deadline, just 33 hours to revise, complete, and submit everything to our respective Research Alliance (RA).

Once verified for completeness and accuracy, the proposals will be forwarded to the Research Management Centre (RMC) for final submission to MOHE. The timeline is intense, but the mission remains clear.

My FRGS proposal this time focuses on a cutting-edge topic:
Converting Fuel Oil Blended Stock (FOBS) to Hydrogen using waste catalysts from refineries.
This project holds great promise in addressing the long-standing FOBS-related issues faced by refineries worldwide, particularly in sustainability and waste valorization. I believe strongly in the future relevance of this research, which is still in its early stages.

Since 2020, I have been working on this idea with the help of several research students. Together, we have built a foundation with experimental and thermodynamic studies and have already published several research articles. Alhamdulillah, the work is steadily gaining traction.

Despite the sudden rush and limited time, I remain committed to pushing this research forward. The road may be steep, but if successful, this project could contribute meaningfully to sustainable hydrogen production and industrial waste management.

Let’s hope this proposal finds its way to success and that FRGS continues to support transformative research like this for years to come.

#20242025 Day 033

#Saturday

Filed Under: 1 Academic, 1 Activity 1 Day, 2 Research, 4 Publication, 6 Supervision, RMC Tagged With: , , , ,

Engineering Identity Development: A National Responsibility

Posted on August 1, 2025 ·

Today, after lunch, I set aside time for a PhD consultancy session with my engineering education student, Izwan. He has been a full-time PhD candidate for the past three years, and his research focuses on the development of a framework for Engineering Identity Development (EID) within the Malaysian context.

Our discussion today reminded me of how critical EID is for our younger generation. In recent years, we’ve seen a worrying trend: a decline in student interest in STEM, particularly engineering. This shift has become even more apparent with the rise of social media, which often pulls young minds toward instant gratification and away from long-term, intellectually challenging pursuits like science and engineering.

This begs the question: Are we, as a nation, doing enough?
Are we on the right track, as a government, ministry, school system, teachers, parents, and as a community?

We must not take this lightly. Engineering is not just another field; it is a pillar of national development. Engineers are the ones who build, design, and solve the grand challenges of our time. If we fail to inspire our youth to pursue engineering, we risk weakening the very foundation of our nation’s future progress.

That’s why developing a strong engineering identity among students must be a collective priority. We need more programs, more initiatives, more mentorship, and more exposure to real-world STEM experiences at all levels—from primary school to university. We need to celebrate engineers, share their stories, and let students see how science and technology can shape a better Malaysia.

It’s time we all do our part, in whatever capacity we can, to reignite the love for STEM and ensure our next generation proudly identifies as engineers, scientists, and innovators.

Other tasks today include managing AJEE submissions and reviewing.

#20242025 Day 032

#Friday

Filed Under: 1 Academic, 1 Activity 1 Day, 2 Research, 3 Writing Tagged With: , , ,

Productive Public Holiday: EIF Proposal Submitted and Thesis Review Completed

Posted on July 31, 2025 ·

Today is Thursday, but it’s an official holiday in Johor in conjunction with the Hol celebration. I took this opportunity to focus on academic work, especially finalizing my Engineering Information Foundation (EIF) proposal draft. Fortunately, I had already completed about 70% of the proposal earlier, so today’s task was mostly about fine-tuning the details. Alhamdulillah, I managed to submit the proposal by 6:45 p.m.

This time, my EIF project is titled:
“Enhancing Communication Skills Through Multi-Mode Presentations in an Introductory Engineering Course.”
The project aims to embed structured communication training into a CPBL-based curriculum for first-year engineering students, a topic I feel strongly about and have been working on for some time.

In addition to the proposal, I also spent time reading through my engineering education student’s thesis. Alhamdulillah, the research work is nearing completion, and it’s rewarding to see the progress made.

It’s been a meaningful and productive holiday—proof that a day off can still be fulfilling when spent on things that matter.

#20242025 Day 031

#Thursday

Filed Under: 1 Activity 1 Day, 2 Research, 4 Publication, 6 Supervision Tagged With: , ,

PhD Viva for Tan Wan Ting – Exploration of PFAD to Biodiesel

Posted on July 30, 2025 ·

Today, the PhD viva session for my student, Tan Wan Ting, was successfully conducted. Her research focused on the conversion of PFAD to biodiesel using a sulfonated sago pith waste catalyst, an innovative and sustainable approach to renewable fuel production. The external examiner was Datuk Prof. Dr. Taufik Yap, the internal examiner was PM Dr. Muhammad Arif Ab Aziz, and the viva chairman was Prof. Ir. Dr. Nor Aishah Saidina Amin, assisted by Dr. Amnani as co-chair. I had the pleasure of supervising this work alongside PM Ir. Dr. Mazura Jusoh.

Alhamdulillah, it was a very engaging and insightful viva session. I particularly enjoyed the moment when I met Datuk Taufik Yap again—we always end up having a good laugh together, and today was no exception. Hahaha…

Other tasks of the day include checking and commenting on my other PhD student’s thesis draft, and also my Undergraduate student (Sumaiya) research work.

More info and pics from FB Post.

#20242025 Day 030

#Wednesday

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

Attending Sesi Ujibakat Innovathon Musim ketiga 2025

Posted on July 29, 2025 ·

The audition session for the third season of Innovathon in the southern region of Malaysia was held at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) on 29 and 30 July 2025. My wife and I participated in this audition. It was a truly fascinating experience, seeing so many innovators coming together to take part in the event. There were three screening stages, and Alhamdulillah, we successfully passed all three stages. From here on, it’s all in God’s hands. If we are granted the opportunity, we may be selected for the final 56. InsyaAllah. Allah is All-Knowing.

#20242025 Day 029

#Tuesday

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

Mock VIVA of our PhD Student on a Sunday

Posted on July 27, 2025 ·

Today is my day off (Sunday), but I’ve set a few important tasks to accomplish. First on the list is to complete the marking for my METE1153 ODL course. I also have a mock PhD viva session scheduled with Tan, which I hope will be a valuable preparation for his actual defense. Additionally, I need to prepare for the RMC Strategic Planning meeting, which is scheduled for tomorrow. There are a few other tasks that I plan to tackle as well, depending on how much time I have left in the day.

Because of time limitations and my intention to attend the Pengajian Kitab after Subuh, I brought my laptop to the surau. While listening to the pengajian—specifically the Kitab Faridatul Faraid—I took the opportunity to continue my marking tasks simultaneously. It was a meaningful way to balance both spiritual enrichment and academic responsibilities.

Other tasks performed on this off-day:

  • Submit ICLCA2025 paper correction
  • Insert METE1153 student mark
  • Read/check Izwan’s draft thesis
  • Read/check Suhaila’s paper

#20242025 Day 027

#Sunday

Filed Under: 1 Academic, 1 Activity 1 Day, 2 Research, 6 Supervision Tagged With: , , , , ,

Marking METE1153 ODL Occupational Safety in Energy System

Posted on July 26, 2025 ·

Today is Saturday—an off-day—but official responsibilities still call. Knowing that next week will be packed with activities, I’ve decided to make full use of today to complete the marking for my final exam scripts for METE1153 ODL: Occupational Safety in Energy Systems. There are 28 students, and all their answer scripts are in PDF format, which means I have to do all the marking on my laptop—a task that is both time-consuming and mentally demanding.

In addition to that, I also need to start thinking about how to manage UTM’s FRGS (Fundamental Research Grant Scheme) proposals—an overwhelming total of 598 submissions. Of course, it’s not something I’m handling alone, but within my capacity and scope, I have to contribute as best as I can. We’re all hoping that UTM secures as many FRGS grants as possible. The application process itself has already been delayed since February this year due to persistent issues with the MyGRANTS portal, which had been inaccessible for months.

Despite it being a weekend, the work must go on.

Other tasks of the day include Service Marsya’s Axia’s and Major grocery shopping

#20242025 Day 026

#Saturday

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

Reconnecting and Recharging: RMC Team Building 2025 at Tadom Hill Resort

Posted on July 21, 2025 ·

From 19 to 21 July 2025, I had the pleasure of joining the RMC Team Building Program 2025, a much-anticipated event organized by the Research Management Centre (RMC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The retreat was held at the serene and scenic Tadom Hill Resort, located just outside of Kuala Lumpur.

More information and photos in RMC FB Page.

We departed early in the morning, gathering as a team at 7:00 AM and traveling together by bus — a perfect start that allowed us to unwind and catch up even before reaching the destination. The three-day event was filled with a mix of light-hearted activities, challenging team tasks, and moments of reflection — all set within the backdrop of nature.

Tadom Hill Resort, with its eco-friendly bamboo architecture, calming lakes, and green surroundings, provided the ideal setting for a break away from our daily routines. Whether it was the raft-building activities on the lake, high-spirited obstacle courses, or casual bonding during mealtimes, the program successfully fostered closer camaraderie among RMC staff from all units.

Beyond the fun and games, the retreat served as a timely reminder of the importance of unity, mutual respect, and shared goals in the workplace. In a busy research support environment like ours, building strong interpersonal trust and understanding is crucial — and this retreat delivered exactly that.

Special thanks to the organizing committee for their efforts in planning a smooth and impactful program. We were also constantly reminded to be mindful of personal safety and belongings throughout the event, and thankfully everything went smoothly.

All in all, it was a rejuvenating experience. I left Tadom Hill Resort with not just fond memories, but also a renewed spirit to continue contributing meaningfully to RMC’s mission.

Looking forward to the next one!

Filed Under: 2 Research
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