Professor Dr Firdaus Abdullah: Shaping Tomorrow's Business Leaders with Technology-Driven Education & Global Insights

Prof. Dr Firdaus Abdullah

Dean

In recent years, business schools worldwide, particularly in Asia, have witnessed remarkable growth in popularity. This surge is driven by high-quality education at competitive costs, enhanced job prospects, and factors such as cultural compatibility, language accessibility, and global connectivity. Malaysia has emerged as a hub for educational excellence in Asia, with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) leading this transformative wave.

As Malaysia's largest university, UiTM offers innovative education across 34 campuses, 4 colleges, 14 faculties, and 9 academic centers, with more than 500 programs ranging from Foundation to PhD levels. At the helm of its Faculty of Business and Management (FBM) is Professor Dr Firdaus Abdullah, a visionary academic leader with extensive experience in academia, industry, and international settings.

Balancing Academic Leadership and Personal Life

Professor Dr Firdaus oversees Malaysia’s largest business faculty, which serves 40,000 students and 1,200 lecturers. Managing this scale requires strategic thinking and a deft touch, qualities that he has honed over two decades. “Being in academia demands a careful balance of teaching, research, publishing, and industry collaboration,” he explains.

As a dean, he leads FBM’s efforts to ensure program relevance in a fast-changing job market. Under his leadership, the faculty has diversified its offerings by incorporating executive education, professional certifications, and collaborations with industries and professional bodies.

While he thrives in academia, Professor Dr Firdaus emphasizes personal balance. A father of five, he has spent years mastering the art of managing leadership responsibilities alongside family life. “Balancing work and personal commitments is a continuous learning process”, he reflects.

Strategic Approaches to Excellence

Professor Dr Firdaus’s leadership is marked by his innovative approach to communication and institutional strategy. Recognizing the growing influence of social media, he emphasizes platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for effective engagement. “Social media isn’t just for marketing, it’s a powerful tool for transparency, stakeholder communication, and enhancing the university’s global image”, he says.

Through these strategies, UiTM has established itself as a leader in navigating academic challenges and embracing new opportunities.

Despite this progress, Professor Dr Firdaus acknowledges the ongoing need for innovation and adaptability to meet industry demands.

Tackling Challenges as Dean of FBM, UiTM

Managing a faculty of UiTM’s scale comes with its challenges. Ensuring consistent teaching quality across 34 campuses and adhering to the Malaysian Qualifications Agency’s (MQA) standards is a critical priority. “With 1,200 lecturers, our focus is on maintaining high-quality education delivery across diverse campuses”, Professor Dr Firdaus explains. A key element of his leadership is fostering internationalization. Through initiatives like the

“One Student, One Passport” policy, UiTM offers global exposure via exchange programs, summer schools, and collaborations with international universities. These efforts broaden students’ perspectives and prepare them for global careers.

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Technology is no longer a choice but a necessity for modern education
– Prof. Dr Firdaus Abdullah , Dean

Professor Dr Firdaus also prioritizes research and industry collaboration. By encouraging faculty involvement in impactful research, consultancy, and publications, UiTM strengthens its academic reputation while addressing evolving professional needs.

The Rising Demand for Specialized Skills

Professor Dr Firdaus highlights the rapid evolution of industries, particularly in the post-COVID era. He observes, “COVID taught us the importance of resilience and the need to restructure sectors to stay competitive. Professionals must continuously re-skill and up-skill to remain relevant”. This insight has become a cornerstone of his approach to shaping the curriculum, ensuring that UiTM students are equipped to tackle the challenges of a rapidly changing job market.

Integrating technology into business education is now essential. UiTM collaborates with global leaders like IBM and Oracle to incorporate modules on IoT, AI, and cybersecurity into its curriculum. Professor Dr Firdaus firmly believes that embracing technology is fundamental to the future of higher education. “The best ‘teacher’ today isn’t just a professor but also platforms like YouTube, which challenge traditional teaching methods”, he notes.

UiTM’s proactive strategy extends to aligning its academic programs with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), preparing graduates to address economic, social, and environmental challenges. Professor Dr Firdaus also encourages students to pursue programs that integrate technology and focus on developing skills that are future-proof, ensuring their competitiveness in an evolving global landscape.

Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Professor Dr Firdaus envisions UiTM scaling its operations while maintaining academic excellence. Central to this vision is enhancing the university’s global presence through deeper collaborations with international institutions and industries. “Our aim is to position UiTM as a global leader in higher education, equipping students and faculty to make meaningful contributions in a connected, competitive world”, he explains.

As UiTM continues to grow, its focus remains on delivering impactful education that shapes innovative, future-ready leaders. Under Professor Dr Firdaus’s leadership, the Faculty of Business and Management is not just meeting the challenges of today, it is defining the future of business education.

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