Role
Dr Sharizal Ahmad Sobri is a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for MSc Engineering Management at Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé (NTU), Department of Engineering. His role encompasses a variety of teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities.
He teaches postgraduate courses in MSc Engineering Management. His modules include:
- ENGG40591 Business Operations & Reliability Management (as Module Leader & Instructor)
- ENGG40601 Global Business Management (as a Module Leader & Instructor).
He delivers lectures and leads seminars, emphasizing both theoretical and practical aspects of engineering management. His teaching methods include case studies, group discussions, and hands-on projects to enhance learning engagement. Additionally, he designs assessments such as exams, coursework, and group projects, providing timely and constructive feedback to help students refine their skills and knowledge. He also offers academic advising and mentoring, assisting students with course selections, career planning, and addressing any academic challenges they encounter.
Research Responsibilities:
In research, he leads and participates in projects focusing on advanced machining, laser materials processing, sustainable engineering practices, innovation management, systems engineering, and technology integration in engineering processes. He publishes research findings in high-impact journals, contributes to edited books, and presents at national and international conferences. Furthermore, he actively seeks research funding by preparing and submitting grant applications, collaborating with colleagues and industry partners to develop compelling proposals.
Administrative and Service Responsibilities:
Administratively, he plays a key role in developing and updating the curriculum to ensure it aligns with industry standards and incorporates the latest advancements in engineering management. He serves on departmental and university committees, such as the Curriculum Committee, Research Committee, and Quality Assurance Committee, contributing to policy-making and strategic planning. Additionally, he builds and maintains relationships with industry partners, facilitating guest lectures, industry placements, and collaborative research projects.
Professional Development:
In terms of professional development, he engages in ongoing learning to stay current with the latest trends and advancements in engineering management by attending workshops, conferences, and pursuing additional qualifications or certifications. He also mentors junior faculty members and research students, providing guidance on teaching practices, research methodologies, and career development.
Contribution to NTU’s Mission:
His contribution to NTU’s mission includes providing innovative teaching by integrating the latest teaching methodologies and technological tools, which prepares students for the challenges of the engineering industry. His research contributes to NTU’s reputation as a leader in engineering research, addressing critical issues such as sustainability, innovation, and efficiency in engineering practices. Through outreach activities, public lectures, and partnerships with local businesses and organizations, he helps strengthen NTU’s connection with the community and promote a culture of innovation and excellence.
In summary, as a Senior Lecturer in Engineering Management at NTU, Sharizal’s role is multifaceted, involving a balance of teaching, research, administrative duties, and professional development. His aim is to enhance the academic environment and contribute to the university’s mission of excellence in education and research, particularly within the field of engineering management.
Career overview
Sharizal is an accomplished industrial engineer and academician with a diverse and extensive background in both the academic and industrial sectors. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Manchester (UoM), a Master's in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), a Bachelor's in Applied Science, and a Diploma in Accountancy from Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia (UiTM) for both qualifications. He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) certified by The Engineering Council UK and a professional member of The Institution of Engineering & Technology UK (MIET). This unique blend of qualifications has equipped him with a robust foundation in engineering principles, systems management, and financial acumen.
His professional journey is marked by significant roles in various industries. As the Director of the Centre of University-Industry Collaboration at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), he spearheaded numerous initiatives to foster community development, managed staff performance, and facilitated industrial collaborations. His leadership in projects like 'UMK for Society' and the 'CEO@Faculty 2.0' programme demonstrates his commitment to leveraging academic expertise for societal benefit and enhancing faculty leadership capabilities.
In the corporate sector, his tenure at Huawei Technologies Malaysia as a Fellow in the Public Affairs & Communication Department under the CEO@Faculty Programme by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MoHE) provided him with critical industry exposure. He developed and implemented strategic plans, oversaw organizational operations, and represented the company in various civic and professional capacities, thereby honing his strategic and leadership skills.
In his early career includes roles as an Assistant Director at the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), a Manufacturing Engineer at Teknion Furniture Systems, and production positions at SONY EMCS and KulitKraf Ltd. These roles involved extensive project management, quality assurance, and production optimization, underscoring his ability to lead teams and drive efficiency improvements in manufacturing environments.
Academically, he has made significant contributions as a Senior Lecturer in Engineering Management at Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé, where he teaches and supervises postgraduate students. He also held a long-standing position as a Senior Lecturer at UMK’s Faculty of Bioengineering & Technology, where he was instrumental in developing curriculum, leading research projects, and securing substantial research funding. His research interests include laser materials processing, sustainable manufacturing, and advanced machining, with numerous publications in prestigious journals.
His dedication to education extends to his roles as an adjunct course lead and tutor at Wawasan Open University (WOU), Malaysia, where he supports students in engineering and business management courses. His Ph.D. research on mechanical and laser drilling of carbon fibre-reinforced polymers has been recognized for its innovative approach, winning accolades and contributing to advancements in composite material machining.
Research areas
Research Interests:
His research interests lie at the intersection of machining and sustainable manufacturing, with a strong focus on advancing laser materials processing. He aims to become a leading authority in this field across academia, industry, or non-profit research institutions. His primary research goals are to understand the complex interactions between lasers and material microstructures, focusing on variables such as wavelength control, fibre volume fraction, and power intensity distribution within the laser spot. He is working on pioneering arbitrarily polarised laser technologies and developing user-friendly software to mitigate the influence of changing fibre orientations in composites. Additionally, his expertise aligns with the objectives of the NTU Department of Engineering, which he views as an ideal platform for his research.
Besides laser materials processing, his research encompasses innovating machining techniques and developing methods to quantify machined surfaces. He is also passionate about environmental design and manufacturing, particularly in using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to track, store, and evaluate data throughout a product's life cycle. His interest in intelligent machining is driven by the potential of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced automation to revolutionize manufacturing processes. He aims to explore innovative techniques that allow machines to make real-time decisions, optimize machining processes, and adapt to dynamic manufacturing environments. By developing intelligent machining algorithms and autonomous systems, he seeks to enhance precision, efficiency, and sustainability in manufacturing operations.
He has made significant contributions to his field, including the development of the Sharizal’s number (SFDSR) method for assessing damage in Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP), which he aims to standardize in the industry. His research has led to the publication of numerous journal articles, securing research grants, and winning medals at technology expos and innovation competitions. He has also been involved in LCA studies and co-authored policies to promote environmental sustainability. His future research endeavours will focus on pushing the boundaries of laser materials processing, particularly in composite materials, to develop more efficient, precise, and sustainable manufacturing practices. His work aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG #12 on sustainable consumption and production, and he is committed to advancing sustainable manufacturing practices through international collaborative research projects.
External activity
Peer Reviews and Conference:
- Reviewer: Energies (ISSN: 1996-1073); Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology (ISSN: 2198-0810); Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé journal, Advanced Manufacturing Technology (ISSN: 0268-37680); Journal of Manufacturing Systems (ISSN: 1878-6642)
- Peer Reviews for Conference Proceedings: Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Conference on Bioengineering and Technology organised by UMK Faculty of Bioengineering & Technology; Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Conference on Science and Technology (ICoST) by UMK Faculty of Bioengineering & Technology; Proceedings of AEROTECH Conference organised by UPM Department of Aerospace Engineering; Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Conference on Tropical Resources and Sustainable Sciences organised by UMK Faculty of Earth Sciences
- Keynote Speaker/Presenter: (Keynote Speaker) WEBINAR 3R@UMK 2021, Topic: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Papers and Plastics, organised by UMK’s Green Campus Executive Committee; (Presenter) Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Engineering Education Conference: Problem Based Learning-Teaching Engineers to tackle the SDGs organized by the Royal Academy of Engineering in London, UK, 03-04 March 2020; (Keynote Speaker) 2nd Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Conference on Emerging trends in Manufacturing, Engines and Modelling by Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering, SVKM'S Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (Mumbai and Shirpur Campus), India, 23 - 24 December 2019; (Presenter) Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Conference on Green Design & Manufacturing organised by Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 29 - 30 April 2018
External Roles:
Adjunct Course Lead (ACL) and Tutor (Part-time, Remote Only)
- Institution: Wawasan Open University (WOU) Malaysia, School of Technology & Engineering Science
- Programmes: BTech (Hons.) in Mechatronics (undergraduate), and MBA in Manufacturing and Production Management (postgraduate)
Assessor (Appointment term: 09/2019 – 02/2024)
- Technology & Technical Accreditation Council (TTAC)
- Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT)
Assessor (Appointment term: 01/2021 – 12/2023)
- R&D Fund (eDana MOSTI) Committee
- Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation Malaysia (MOSTI)
Publications
View Sharizal's published works:
Book Chapters
Razwan Rohimi, Wan Omar Ali Saifuddin bin Wan Ismail, Siti Maryam Sharun, Roslan Awang, Sharizal Ahmad Sobri (2022). *Penanaman Melalui Kaedah Rumah Hijau Automatik pada Musim Pandemik Menjana Pendapatan. In: Fauzilah Salleh, Nor Mazlina Abu Bakar, Nur Salina Ismail, Siti Maryam Sharun (Eds.), COVID 19 Isu dan Cabaran Ketika Fasa 1 Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (pp. 87-101); Kuala Nerus, Malaysia; Publisher: Penerbit Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin. eISBN 978-967-2750-27-7
*This book chapter is in Malay. "Cultivation Through Automated Greenhouse Method in Pandemic Season Generates Income" is the English translation of the chapter title. The title of the book translated into English: "COVID-19 Issues and Challenges During Phase 1 of the Movement Control Order"
Sharizal Ahmad Sobri (2021). Rise of the Giant Panda. In: Suraya Yaacob, Anuar Mohd Yusof, Norliana Mohd Abbas (Eds.), Charting the Course Beyond the Horizon (pp. 138-147); Melaka, Malaysia; Publisher: Penerbit UTeM Press. ISBN: 978-967-2454-70-0
Sobri, S.A., Heinemann, R., Whitehead, D., Amini, M.H.M., Mohamed, M. (2021). Damage to Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites (CFRP) by Laser Machining: An Overview. In: Hameed Sultan, M.T., Azmi, A.I., Majid, M.S.A., Jamir, M.R.M., Saba, N. (eds) Machining and Machinability of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites. Composites Science and Technology . Springer, Singapore.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4153-1_10
Sobri, S.A., Heinemann, R., Whitehead, D. (2020). Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Composites: Machining Aspects and Opportunities for Manufacturing Industries. In: Siddiquee, S., Gan Jet Hong, M., Mizanur Rahman, M. (eds) Composite Materials: Applications in Engineering, Biomedicine and Food Science. Springer, Cham.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45489-0_2
Policy
Azmi, R., Wan Fakhruddin W.F.W, Abdul Rahman, A.R., Zanudin, A., Abdul Razak, F., Israr Ahmad, H.A., Mad Nordin, M.F., Ghazali, M., Norizan, M.N., Talib, M.L., Mohamad Shahimin, M., Shahidan, N., Ibrahim, N.A., Mohammad, N.F., Mat Isa, N., Sarchio, S.N.E., Ahmad Sobri, S., Shukor, S.S., Mohamed Sultan, S., Syed Azman, S.M.M., Jamaludin, U.K., and Wan Ismail, W.O.A. (2021) *Strengthening Government-University-Industry and Community Collaboration (R. Azmi and W.F.W Wan Fakhruddin, Eds.). Publisher: Penerbit UMT. ISBN 978-967-2939-59-7
*A collaborative working group with the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MoHE) and Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT)
Other Publications
Medium Profile:
Nur Aina Annisa Anuwar, Sharizal Ahmad Sobri & Kamarul Ariffin Hambali (2020). *Kepentingan Ekopelancongan Di Taman Negeri Perlis, Malaysia | MajalahSains.
*Article in the digital magazine 'Majalah Sains'. This article is in Malay and the English translation for this article title is 'The Importance of Ecotourism in Perlis State Park, Malaysia'
Course(s) I teach on
-
Postgraduate taught | Full-time / Sandwich / January start (Postgraduate)COURSE
Engineering Management - MSc
/course/science-and-technology/pg/msc-engineering-management