Skudai, 23 April 2025 – A thoughtful and inspiring sharing session led by Assoc. Prof. Ts. ChM. Dr. Nik Ahmad Nizam Nik Malek, Deputy Dean (Research, Development and Innovation), Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), brought postgraduate students together for a heartfelt conversation on redefining their roles within research environments.
Held under the theme “Not Just a Student: Becoming a Valuable Research Team Member”, the session challenged students to go beyond the mindset of being passive learners. Instead, Dr. Nik advocated for a proactive, leadership-oriented approach—positioning students as integral contributors in their research teams.
A highlight of the session was the case study of Dr. Muhammad Hariz Asraf, a former postgraduate student under Dr. Nik’s mentorship. From his Master’s work in biotechnology to completing a PhD and continuing with postdoctoral research, Dr. Hariz exemplified the pathway from student to independent researcher, successfully contributing to major projects such as green synthesis of antibacterial silver nanoparticles using Persicaria odorata.
Throughout the session, Dr. Nik emphasized:
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✅ Adopting a researcher mindset – seeing oneself as a co-creator of knowledge
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✅ Supporting grant development – actively contributing to proposal writing
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✅ Extending research beyond graduation – pursuing long-term collaborations
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✅ Mentoring and team building – guiding peers and fostering a positive lab culture
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✅ Gaining project management skills – learning to organize and lead research efforts
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✅ Building a research ecosystem – introducing ideas that promote innovation and synergy in the lab
Students responded positively, engaging in questions over coffee in the welcoming setting of the Postgraduate Lounge. The session formed part of UTM’s broader effort to enhance the postgraduate experience through mentorship and leadership development.
