AI
Dr. Nurhasmiza Abu Hasan Sazalli
ACADEMIC INSIGHTS
About
I am a Senior Lecturer and currently serve as the Deputy Director at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. With more than 23 years of experience in education, I began my career as an English language teacher, serving in Malaysian secondary schools for six years before transitioning into academia. My academic journey reflects my strong belief in lifelong learning and diversification. I hold a PhD in Education from the University of Exeter (UK), where my research examined the pedagogical affordances of social media in enhancing English language learning among ESL students. In addition, I hold an MSc in Educational Research from the University of Exeter (UK), an MBA in Digital Entrepreneurship from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and an MA in English Language Studies from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, along side to a Bachelor of Education in TESL from Universiti of Exeter. These qualifications provide me with a solid foundation in pedagogy, research, leadership, and digital innovation.
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My research interests include mobile-assisted language learning, blended learning, AI training for educators, TESL and design-based research. Currently, I am leading a major project focused on training teachers in rural areas of Malaysia to effectively adopt AI tools in education. This initiative aims to build the capacity of educators in underserved communities so that they are equipped to deliver meaningful, equitable, and future-ready learning experiences to their students. I am passionate about producing research and training programmes that have direct impact and that empower teachers to thrive in the digital era.​
Beyond academia, I believe in the importance of work–life balance. I am an avid sports enthusiast and have completed running events, ranging from 10km races to full marathons since 2007. My involvement in sports mirrors my professional philosophy: commitment, perseverance, and balance are key to sustaining success in both personal and professional life.
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In all my roles as a lecturer, researcher, leader, collaborator, and athlete, I strive to make a positive impact on education and society. I am deeply committed to empowering educators, advancing research, fostering partnerships, and inspiring others to embrace continuous growth and lifelong learning.
Industrial Collaboration
Alongside research and teaching, I am actively involved in industry collaborations and cross-cultural academic partnerships. I've always had active collaboration with schools, especially with the Ministry of Education Malaysia in training in-service teachers to utilise online tools to enhance pedagogy. Currently, I conduct trainings on the use of Generative AI for education. These workshops are designed to equip teachers with the skills to integrate AI tools into their teaching practices, from lesson planning and assessment to automating routine tasks. The trainings not only focus on reducing teachers’ workloads but also emphasize innovative pedagogical strategies to enhance classroom learning experiences.
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​Previously, I had the privilege of being attached to McDonald’s Malaysia under the CEO@Faculty Programme, where I worked on impactful projects bridging education and industry. One of my key contributions was the design of online learning modules for crew orientation, enabling standardized and engaging onboarding for employees nationwide. I also led the initiative to map and design an MBA programme pathway for McDonald’s employees, creating opportunities for career advancement by aligning corporate training with higher education qualifications. Beyond project work, I continue to be actively engaged with McDonald’s Malaysia, where I am often invited to serve as the Master of Ceremony for major events such as crew graduations and town hall meetings with the McDonald’s Malaysia owner, Reza Group. These experiences reflect my close working relationship with industry leaders and my role in supporting their workforce development and engagement initiatives.
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I am also active in providing training for Summer School programmes with international universities such as Seijo University, Meiji University, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, and Okayama University of Science, where I cherish English language learning through Malaysian culture. These collaborations create meaningful bridges between academia, industry, and communities, and they reflect my strong belief in collective growth and shared knowledge.
Another significant collaboration was with Astro Awani, where I co-developed a platform that encouraged university students to write and publish news articles. This project was designed to nurture critical thinking, strengthen writing skills, and empower young people to share their perspectives on current issues. By bridging academia and media, the collaboration exposed students to professional journalism practices while cultivating media literacy and communication confidence among the younger generation.
