Interview with Dr. Nor Asiah Mohamad
by Petra Décsi and Zsófia Lutz
at the Intercultural aspects of internationalization in Higher Education NetWorkShop,
ELTE PPK IPPI
10. June 2025.
Dr. Nor Asiah Mohamad is a senior lecturer at the Department of Software Engineering and Smart Technology, Faculty of Computing and Meta-Technology, UPSI. Malaysia
Presentation title: Bridging technology and humanity through intercultural digital pedagogy that promotes sustainability
Zsófi: We truly enjoyed your presentation and found your research topic both compelling and highly relevant. The way you approach the integration of digital tools in education is especially thought-provoking and inspiring. The last sentence really stayed with us, since it was very inspiring to hear you summarize your topic by emphasizing that it's more important to learn how to use tools to access the specific knowledge we need, rather than memorizing large amounts of information. What led you to your current research field? What are your main interests, and what motivates you?
Professor Asiah: My background is in software engineering, and one of the foundational concepts I work with is the theory of cognitive load. As humans, our minds have a limited capacity. Trying to retain too much information can overwhelm us and lead to stress. While younger individuals may find it easier to store information mentally, with age and increasing responsibilities, this becomes less practical.
As technologists, our aim is to reduce this cognitive burden by developing and utilizing tools. That’s why we don’t focus on memorization but on accessing information effectively. Take Google for instance, you can search for anything and find it instantly. However, the crucial skill is knowing how to identify accurate and relevant information. This is where critical thinking becomes essential. It’s not just about technical ability; it’s about the way we process information, how we analyze, evaluate, and categorize it. Unfortunately, critical thinking is often lacking nowadays.
These issues are also evident among primary school teachers who struggle to use online tools effectively in their teaching.
Petra: You’ve mentioned some major challenges, but what are the more nuanced or less obvious difficulties you encounter when helping teachers learn to use these online tools effectively?
Professor Asiah: Initially, during my PhD, my research focused on innovation in primary school education. Currently, as a lecturer in higher education, my focus has shifted to adult education. I work with university lecturers, training them to move beyond traditional methods of teaching. Teaching isn't simply about delivering lectures anymore, especially in online environments where the lack of human interaction presents challenges.
I use various tools in my classes, each with a clear purpose. For example, I use ClassDojo to manage and reward student participation. In the first week, I set clear rules on how students can earn bonus marks by arriving on time, performing well in quizzes, participating actively, and so on. Every week, I update students on their progress based on these criteria.
I also address a lack of leadership skills among students. To encourage leadership, I apply a framework called "Leaders Among Leaders". Students can earn bonus marks by taking on leadership roles, but they must meet certain standards. If they fail to meet these expectations, they may lose marks. My goal is to prepare students for the realities of the workforce, helping them become responsible and sustainable professionals.
This ambition stems from my experience in the industry, where I managed engineering projects and led a team of twenty employees. I encountered staff who could communicate well but couldn’t deliver on their tasks. That’s why I strive to prepare my students early, to instill a sense of accountability before they enter the workforce.
Zsófi: Earlier, one of your colleagues mentioned that eighty percent of teachers in Malaysia graduated from UPSI. Do these teachers receive training aligned with your vision? Is this approach part of their curriculum?
Petra: Is your teaching philosophy is integrated into how future teachers are trained at your university. Is there a program or course for this?
Professor Asiah: Yes, we have programs designed for teacher education, such as Information Technology in Education and Multimedia in Education. These programs include courses like Educational Technology Theory. I don’t teach those specific subjects because my primary background is in engineering, and I mainly teach software engineering students. However, I still emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and leadership with my students, preparing them for future industry roles.
Petra: We have one final question about international students. You mentioned earlier that your university is open to international mobility and offers accommodations. Are there any research projects that international students can join, or scholarship opportunities in your department?
Professor Asiah: At present, we operate on a reciprocal exchange basis. We can provide accommodation and support, but the student’s home university would typically need to cover travel costs or offer allowances.
Petra: So the focus is more on study exchanges than participating in ongoing research?
Professor Asiah: Are you referring to undergraduate or master's level?
Petra: Master’s level. For example, if someone wanted to write their thesis at your university.
Zsófi: Or to work under your supervision.
Professor Asiah: We don’t currently offer scholarships ourselves, but we warmly welcome students who wish to invite me as a supervisor or co-supervisor. Scholarships might be available through European programs, which you could apply for. I can support you with your proposal to align it with my research areas.
Zsófi: One final question. You mentioned that digital education can be more sustainable. Could you elaborate on how digital learning contributes to sustainability?
Professor Asiah: As I mentioned earlier, we need to adopt a 21st-century mindset. While we may have strong technical skills, we often lack the soft skills necessary for long-term sustainability in both the workforce and life. These include communication, collaboration, and life skills.
In my classes, I work to transform introverted students into more confident, expressive individuals. I constantly encourage them to improve, to take initiative, to push themselves, like a parent guiding their children. I share my own experiences, how I excelled as a student, became an engineer, moved into management, and ultimately became an educator.
I always tell my students: I don’t just want you to become like me, I want you to surpass me. But at the very least, strive to match my path. The journey to where I am today was not easy; it involved challenges and personal growth. I aim to share these lessons so they can build a stronger future.
Zsófi: That’s truly inspiring.
Petra: Yes, it was very refreshing to hear your perspective. Thank you so much.
Zsófi: It really sounds like you’re mentoring your students, not just academically, but holistically as individuals.
Professor Asiah: Exactly. I aim to nurture them because I want to see a new generation that is better than mine. That’s my mission.
Zsófi: That’s a beautiful mission.
Petra: Absolutely. Thank you once again
#ELTEPPK #Erasmus+ #E+ICM #ELTEICM #ELTEPPKIPPI #NetWorkShop #Cooperation #Intercultural #Interculturalpsychologyandeducation #Highereducationresearch #Multiculturaleducation
#LifelongLearning #Inspiration #InternationalProjects #Teamwork #Diversity #Innovation