Dr. Nor Haniza Mohamad, a senior faculty and pioneer in innovative education practices such as CDIO , has significantly impacted Malaysian polytechnic education through her strategic initiatives and cross-institutional collaborations since 2016.
In 2023, during her tenure at Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan in Malaysia, Dr. Nor Haniza Mohamad actively trained both staff and students in the CDIO (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate) framework and Design Thinking, equipping them with essential tools for innovation and problem-solving. She further demonstrated her commitment to collaborative learning by initiating an interregional, multidisciplinary Design Thinking project, fostering creativity and teamwork across diverse fields. This initiative exemplified her dedication to preparing students and educators alike for real-world challenges through hands-on, cross-disciplinary approaches. Dr. Haniza launched a multidisciplinary final-year project approach, fostering international collaboration between Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan in Malaysia and Politeknik Negeri Padang in Indonesia, strengthening ties and expanding the learning horizons for students in both institutions.
In 2022-2023, while serving at Politeknik Tawau Sabah Malaysia, Dr. Nor Haniza Mohamad took on a pivotal role in advancing educational innovation across Borneo. She conducted comprehensive training sessions on the CDIO (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate) framework and Design Thinking for academic leaders from polytechnics and community colleges throughout the region. Her expertise empowered these leaders with essential skills in practical, student-centered learning methodologies, fostering a stronger culture of innovation in Borneo’s higher education institutions.
In 2018-2022, while serving at Politeknik Port Dickson, Dr. Haniza’s leadership was instrumental in attaining full Engineering Technology Accreditation Council (ETAC) accreditation for nine academic programs between 2019 and 2020, marking a milestone in educational quality and program recognition. Her commitment to integrating cutting-edge methodologies led her to champion Design Thinking in final-year projects across four academic departments since 2018, providing students with practical problem-solving skills and fostering creativity and innovation.
Further exemplifying her commitment to hands-on learning, Dr. Haniza introduced the Integrated Learning Experiences (ILE) approach in six academic departments at Politeknik Port Dickson. This initiative achieved national recognition in 2021 when two student projects guided by the ILE approach reached the top 27 entries in the National e-SULAM competition, with one project clinching the championship title.
In 2021, Dr. Haniza also spearheaded the publication of ten papers on CDIO Integrated Learning Experiences for Politeknik Port Dickson, contributing valuable insights to the field and reinforcing the polytechnic's role as a thought leader in academic innovation. Her unwavering dedication to enhancing educational standards has positioned her as a transformative force in Malaysia’s polytechnic system.
More importantly, since 2016, Dr. Nor Haniza have trained more than 2000 educators and students from the public and private sectors in Malaysia, the Phillipines and Indonesia.