Building Bridges Between Classrooms, Communities and Policy

UM Research
Dec 5, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Dec 15, 2025

Associate Professor Dr. Zuwati Binti Hasim

Department of Language and Literacy Education, Faculty of Education

Area of Expertise:

ESL/EFL, Teacher Education, Assessment & Evaluation, Education Policy, Discourse Analysis

A Scholar Driven by Purpose and Progress

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zuwati Hasim is a name that resonates with passion, purpose, and progress in Malaysian education research. As the Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation at Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of Education and an Associate Professor at the Department of Language and Literacy Education, she has spent her career building bridges between classrooms, communities, and policymakers, ensuring that research translates into meaningful change. She also extends her expertise internationally, serving as an adjunct professor at Ningde Normal University and UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, further strengthening global educational collaborations.

“Research should not just live in journals. It should live in classrooms, communities, and policies that make a difference.” – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zuwati Hasim

Serving as adjunct professor at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah

Academic Journey: From TESL to Global Education Leadership

Her academic journey began at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), where she earned her Bachelor of Education (TESL) under a Ministry of Education scholarship programme. She went on to complete her Master’s degree in English Language Studies at UKM, and later a PhD in Language Assessment at Waikato University, New Zealand, under the SLAB programme. Dr. Zuwati also broadened her expertise through a professional development programme on Media and Information Literacy at Arizona State University (Tempe Campus), strengthening her focus on global trends in education and digital literacy.

Two Decades of Impact at Universiti Malaya

Formative assessment facilitation with NUTP and selected primary school teachers

Since joining Universiti Malaya in 2004, she has been a force in teaching, research, and academic leadership. Her work spans TESL, language assessment, teacher training, and interdisciplinary education research, exploring the intersections of pedagogy, curriculum, technology, and AI. As Chief Editor of the Language & Literacy Education Journal (LALEj) and Head of Education for the Malaysia Research University Network (MRUN) Knowledge Transfer Programme, she continues to shape national conversations around education policy and practice.

Awareness programme with schools and media on ‘Say No to Bully’ project

Research That Makes a Difference

Dr. Zuwati’s research portfolio is as diverse as it is impactful. She has led a nationwide study on bullying behaviour across schools, universities, polytechnics, and community colleges in Malaysia, with an estimated grant of nearly three-quarters of a million-ringgit work that provides a critical index for understanding and addressing bullying. She has consulted on behavioural insights projects with the Malaysia Productivity Corporation, focusing on improving the registration rates of private educational institutions, and has championed literacy improvement through a social innovation project combining pedagogy and technology, supported by a six-figure grant.

Empowering teaching and learning via technology

Global Collaborations and Cross-Cultural Learning

Her contributions are not limited to Malaysia. As a country researcher for the international Teacher-Led Learning Circles for Formative Assessment project, she collaborated with seven other nations including Brazil, South Korea, and Switzerland to co-create strategies that empower teachers to improve classroom assessment practices.

Engaging Communities Through Education and Advocacy

Beyond large-scale projects, Dr. Zuwati actively engages communities on pressing issues. Her initiatives on cyberbullying awareness and digital resilience have reached school students and parents, encouraging responsible online behaviour and empowering youth to navigate the digital world safely. She also contributed as a co-researcher in developing the Federal Territories Senior Citizens Action Plan (2025–2030), aligning education research with social policy development. Her dedication to community empowerment and educational impact has earned her notable recognition, including the Best Community Engagement Project Award (2022), the Excellence Guidance Teacher Award (2025), and the Excellence Service Award (2025).

A Bridge-Builder Across Disciplines

Colleagues describe her as a bridge-builder, someone who strengthens interdisciplinary collaborations across education, computer science, and social sciences, ensuring that research findings are translated into practical solutions. As Conference Chair of the International Postgraduate & Education Conference (IpEC) 2025, jointly organised by Universiti Malaya and Goethe University Frankfurt, she continues to provide a platform for early-career researchers to present their work and inspire the next generation of scholars.

This is a photo of collaboration with the South Korean teachers on Formative Assessment that took place in Seoul in 2023.

Philosophy of Scholarship: Honesty, Humility, Sincerity

Dr. Zuwati’s personal philosophy is clear and deeply inspiring: “I believe true scholarship begins with honesty, grows with humility, and shines through sincerity.” These words are not just a motto but a reflection of how she leads, collaborates, and inspires students, researchers, and educators alike.

Looking Ahead: AI, Literacies, and Social Responsibility

Looking ahead, she is determined to explore AI-assisted assessment tools, multi-dimensional literacies, and social responsibility projects that link universities with the communities they serve. For Dr. Zuwati, education is not merely about teaching, it is about transforming lives, creating safer learning spaces, and preparing the next generation to face a rapidly changing world with confidence and integrity.

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#EducationPolicyMalaysia #UniversitiMalaya #UMResearchers #EducationMalaysia #ResearchWithImpact #Researchforcommunity #MySTIE

Researcher featured:

Associate Prof. Dr. Zuwati Binti Hasim

Department of Language and Literacy Education, Faculty of Education

https://umexpert.um.edu.my/zuwati_hasim

For inquiries, please contact:

E: zuwati_hasim@um.edu.my

T: 03- 79675017

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7840-5855

SCOPUS ID: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57163940900

Author:

Ms Puungkodi Paramasivam

Puungkodi Paramasivam is a fast-track PhD candidate at the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, who finds solace and purpose in writing amidst the challenges of academic research. This is her third contribution to the UM Research Bulletin, a platform she values for showcasing groundbreaking work while allowing her to channel her creativity. Writing, she says, serves as a positive distraction from the demands of her PhD journey, enabling her to engage meaningfully with diverse fields of study. Proud to be an author under the UM Research Bulletin, Puungkodi continues to highlight innovative research and inspire others with her thoughtful narratives.

Copyedit:

Siti Farhana Bajunid Shakeeb Arsalaan Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, UM