Let me start with a brief introduction. I am a Professor of Food Technology at the School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Currently I'm teaching 3 courses at undergraduate level: Physical Properties of Foods, Food Ingredients and Chemistry & Technology of Starch, Fats/Oils. Apart from these courses, I have taught most of the food science/technology subjects in the curriculum the last 17 years.

   As a teacher I always aspire to nurture and educate my students to become lifelong learners. I believe our role as educators goes beyond transmitting knowledge – our role is to nurture our students to become lifelong learners – to teach them the skills of 'learn how to learn' and to teach them the appreciation and the love for knowledge. As Socrates said, "I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think". I believe that teaching is an exciting adventure in which both the teacher and the students participate and cooperate to achieve a common goal.

   I have great interest in using internet as an alternative medium for learning and teaching. I have developed a comprehensive e-learning course/portal and a special website called “Virtual Food Science & Technology Library” (now under total makeover). Currently I'm involved as a trainer in the technology-mediated learning workshop. In 2002, I received the inaugural USM Excellent Educator Award and Hall of Fame Award under the same category from the university. I'm also the recipient of Anugerah Akademik Negara (National Academic Award) 2008 for teaching category.

   On the research front, my research interests are mainly on the physicochemical properties and functionality of food biopolymer system (focus on starch and gelatin). I have published more than 70 papers in international citation-indexed journals, contributed a few book/encyclopedia chapters and published/presented more than 70 conference papers (5 of which as keynote speakers). I have received more than 30 publication awards from USM. Under my supervision, 4 Ph.D and 22 M.Sc students have graduated. In addition, I have supervised three post-doctoral fellows. Currently I'm supervising 11 Masters and 4 Ph.D students and one post-doctoral fellow. I'm actively involved in conducting regular seminar or workshop on scientific writing, research and student supervision. I'm an editorial member of Journal of Physical Science (USM), Tropical Life Science Research (USM), International Journal of Food Research (UPM), and Food Hydrocolloids (Elsevier). I'm a certified retort and thermal processing equipments.