Ts. Harizah Hashim graduate of Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical – Materials), 2008, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has built a remarkable career driven by innovation, leadership, and lifelong learning.

Today, she serves as the Head of Emerging Mobility & Ecosystem Catalyst (EMEC) at the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), a government agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). In this role, she leads strategic initiatives that support the development of emerging mobility technologies, including electric vehicles, hydrogen technologies, advanced automotive solutions, and smart manufacturing.

Ts Harizah’s professional journey began even before completing her studies at UTM. During her final semester, she received an offer from PROTON and started her career in 2008 as a Design Engineer in the Powertrain Research and Development Division.

“At PROTON, I was involved in engine design and analysis development activities and had the opportunity to be seconded to Lotus Engineering in the United Kingdom for the PROTON Turbocharger Engine Project,” she shared.

She later advanced into strategic planning roles involving future powertrain technologies before expanding her experience with multinational companies such as Aker Solutions Malaysia and American Air Filter Manufacturing Malaysia. These experiences provided her with valuable exposure to engineering, manufacturing, project management, and industrial operations.

With more than 18 years of experience in engineering, research and development, and technology advancement, Ts Harizah now contributes to Malaysia’s industrial growth through MARii, where she works closely with industry players, government agencies, academia, and technology providers to accelerate innovation and ecosystem development.

Among the major initiatives she currently leads is the EARTH2NXGV 2030 Project, a national effort to develop Malaysia’s first Rare Earth Elements (REE)-based Next Generation Vehicle (NxGV) electric motor ecosystem. The initiative aims to strengthen local technology capabilities, develop skilled talent, and position Malaysia as a leader in critical electric motor component development.

She has also played significant roles in establishing the National Advanced Styling Studio and National Digital Twin Centre under the Centre of Excellence for Future Industry (CoEFI), as well as leading programmes focused on workforce upskilling and Industry 4.0 adoption.

Reflecting on her university years, Ts Harizah credits UTM for laying the foundation for both her personal and professional development.

“UTM played a significant role in shaping my character and professional foundation. During our time, we had to independently search for information through libraries, journals, lecturers, and technical references. That experience taught us to become resourceful, analytical, and resilient problem-solvers,” she said.

Beyond academics, she actively participated in co-curricular activities, serving as a committee member for Pesta Konvokesyen UTM, facilitating orientation programmes, and representing the university in netball and taekwondo.

According to Ts Harizah, these experiences helped her develop leadership, communication, teamwork, and time management skills that continue to benefit her career today.

“UTM didn’t just prepare me academically. It prepared me to become a well-rounded professional,” she added.

As industries continue to evolve rapidly through artificial intelligence, digitalization, and emerging technologies, Ts Harizah believes graduates must be willing to adapt and continuously learn.

Her advice to current students is to take full advantage of university life by exploring opportunities beyond the classroom.

“Don’t limit yourself to academics alone. Build leadership skills, join competitions, volunteer, participate in clubs, and develop your communication and teamwork abilities. Technical knowledge may help you secure your first job, but your attitude, adaptability, and willingness to learn will determine how far you go,” she said.

She also encourages graduates to embrace three important mindsets: adaptability, curiosity, and humility.

“Success today is no longer determined only by what you know, but by how quickly you learn, collaborate, and adapt to  change,” she emphasized.

Looking back, Ts Harizah believes that many of the opportunities she has received throughout her career can be traced to the values and experiences she gained at UTM.

“UTM gave me much more than an engineering degree. It taught me discipline, resilience, leadership, teamwork, and the confidence to take on challenges,” she reflected.

Her journey serves as an inspiring example of how UTM graduates continue to contribute towards national development, innovation, and industry transformation while making a meaningful impact on society.

by Nurul Safidah Abdul Rahman