Assoc. Prof. ChM Dr Mohd Zul Helmi Rozaini, a proud alumnus of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the Faculty of Science and Technology in 2003. He went on to pursue a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the University of East Anglia (UEA), Norwich, United Kingdom, graduating in 2007. In 2017, he earned a second Ph.D. in Biotechnology from UMT, under the supervision of Prof. Ts Dr Dr Mohd Effendy Abd Wahid, who is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science.

One of his most meaningful personal achievements is being the first KUSTEM/UMT alumnus to complete a Ph.D. at UEA. This milestone challenged common misconceptions that local graduates were less capable than those from more established institutions. Through determination and faith, Dr Zul Helmi overcame doubts and stigma. He holds firmly to this principle: A gem, even if tossed into mud, will still shine.

Professionally, he has received numerous accolades, including UMT’s Best Paper Writing Award (2009), Best Journal Article Research Award (2010), and the Malim Ilmu Award for Teaching and Learning (2012). That same year, he was selected as a finalist for the National Young Scientist Award and appointed as an associate member of the Young Scientists Network – Academy of Sciences Malaysia. In recent years, he received the Vice Chancellor’s Special Award (2020), the UMT Technology Transfer Award (2021), and most recently, the UMT Alumni Academia Icon Award (2023).

Actively involved in research, Dr Zul Helmi focuses on biomaterials and technology transfer. He has secured international research grants from Qatar University and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Italy, as well as a private grant from Bioeconomy. His efforts have significantly contributed to UMT’s performance in the Malaysian Research Assessment Instrument (MyRA).

His passion for teaching began during his undergraduate years through UMT’s Heritage Club, where he taught underperforming students every Saturday. That experience ignited a lasting commitment to education and community engagement.

Today, as an academician, he finds fulfillment in shaping minds and transferring knowledge. He encourages young alumni never to feel inferior to graduates of other universities, reminding them that UMT alumni have succeeded at the highest levels. His advice for those aspiring to follow in his footsteps is simple yet powerful: Perseverance, not intelligence, is what brings you to the finish line.