Innovative engineer back in Bradford for ‘immense’ honour

Professor Dato' Seri Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman is a Malaysia-based expert in biomechanical engineering, whose research looks at the measurements of human movement, the design of prosthetics, orthotics and orthopaedic implants.

He has been made a Doctor of Engineering at the University of Bradford 'In recognition of the exceptional impact he has made in the field of biomechanics and higher education leadership.'

He studied BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bradford, graduating in 1997. He is now a Professional Engineer registered with the Board of Engineers Malaysia, a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (UK), a Chartered Professional Engineer and a Fellow of Engineers Australia, and a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.

Professor Azuan, 56, who received his award on Tuesday 15 July, said: "It is an immense honour and pride for me to be recognised at a place where I first gained my valuable life values and lessons, and where I have been so warmly welcomed and supported throughout my entire study life. This is simply beyond words."

Who is Professor Azuan?

Away from his work in biomechanics, Professor Azuan has also shown leadership in higher education in Malaysia after being appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Universiti Malaya, Malaysia's oldest and top university (Top 60 QS World University Ranking), in November 2023. Before that, he served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Malaysia Terengganu University and Vice- Chancellor of National Energy University.

He was Universiti Malaya's Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, which was named in the world's top 10. He also founded the £300 million engineering@UM Industrial Innovation Centre and created BioApps Sdn Bhd, a UM spin-off company that has generated £30m in revenue for the last five years.

In 2022, the Prime Minister of Malaysia handed Professor Azuan the National Academic Award in the Product Innovation and Commercialisation Category for research that placed Malaysia second in the world in prosthetic and orthotic research, only behind the United States.

He was bestowed Belgium's Forchheimer Prize, the most prestigious prize in the world of biomechanical field.

He also received the Blesma award from the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics in 2004 for his research on designing a new prosthetic socket which improves comfort and fit for amputees. The socket reduces pain and discomfort while improving the overall daily prosthetic experience for people.

Professor Azuan was conferred the Commander of the Order of the Defender of State in 2023 by the Governor of Penang, Malaysia. This honour gives him the title of Dato' Seri and recognises his work in engineering and higher education.

Among other roles, he has served as an executive in the World Council of Biomechanics and led the Malaysia Society of Biomechanics, and has chaired the METEOR Group company, the consortium of Public Universities Education-related business which he successfully transformed.

'Embrace uncertainty'

Professor Azuan had this advice for his fellow graduates: "Today, you hold in your hands the power of knowledge forged in the global convergence of ideas; tomorrow, it is your courage and conviction that will light the path through uncharted challenges.

"Go forth not merely as graduates, but as architects of a future yet unwritten, for the future of the world lies in all of you.

"As you step beyond these halls, remember: the world's greatest transformations begin with a single bold idea and an unwavering belief to make it count. Embrace uncertainty, for within it lies the spark of innovation that will define our shared destiny, and with tenacity, you will leave a lasting mark on the world."