Hi there! My name is Dr. Nur Azirah and I am currently working as a Senior Economic Lecturer at University Teknologi MARA since 2020. I am proud to say that I achieved my PhD at the age of 27 in 2019 which was a great accomplishment for me. Prior to my current position, I worked as a Research Officer for a grant aimed at improving the livelihoods of low-income households. I am also actively involved in academia as an Economics Development lecturer. This involves publishing and reviewing journal articles, guiding postgraduate students, and participating as a member in various grant projects.

Never in my dream of being a lecturer

I began my PhD studies in 2015 without any initial aspirations for an academic career. However, my final year proved to be particularly challenging as my beloved mother was diagnosed with cancer, and I needed to frequently travel back and forth to be by her side. Unfortunately, her passing left me unemployed for a year before I found my way into the role as lecturer. This transition into academia was unexpected, yet I found myself adapting to the new role easily. This probably was drawn upon from the invaluable exposure and experiences gained while serving as a Research Assistant for my supervisor during my university days. My time as a Research Assistant provided me a deep understanding of the academic world, ultimately paving the way for my current position as a lecturer at UiTM.

Proud of my current appointments

Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to extensive research in poverty and economic development which has elevated my appointment as an Associate Editor for the Malaysian Journal of Consumer and Family Economics. Additionally, I was recently appointed as the faculty’s corporate unit coordinator that further expand my contribution within the academic community.

Through these appointments, I have the opportunity to pursue my research interests, particularly in the realm of economics with a focus on poverty and household livelihood. Furthermore, it provides me a platform to be involves in the determination of poverty multidimensionally and the development of social protection measures in Malaysia.

With those appointments, I am now being entrusted with the task of overseeing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UiTM and MBSB Bank Berhad. This collaboration aims to leverage on MBSB Bank’s expertise in digital economy and business to support UiTM’s Selangor branch in pioneering its digital campus initiative.

Cultivate lifelong learning

I’ve witnessed numerous obstacles and trials encountered by students today. My advice to them is simple: there are always solution and effective strategies to overcome these challenges. Reflecting on my own journey pursuing a PhD, I found it to be both challenging and rewarding, filled with opportunities for personal growth and discovery. I also want to encourage everyone to pursue lifelong learning to gain insights and diverse experiences, especially in our rapidly evolving digital world. Personally, having a mentor proved invaluable along my journey, providing crucial guidance and inspiration to fuel my ongoing pursuit. Finally, I hope that by sharing my journey from pursuing a PhD and entering academia, I can highlight the challenging yet rewarding path filled with opportunities for pursuing passion, growth, and discovery.