Professional & Educational Background

Dr. Mohammad Zaki Ahmad is an Associate Professor at the School of International Studies (SoIS), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). He is currently the Director of the Asian Institute of International Affairs and Diplomacy (AIIAD) at UUM. Since 2020, Dr. Zaki has served on the editorial boards of the Scopus-indexed Journal of International Studies (JIS) and the Malaysian Management Journal (MMJ). Over the last decade, he has actively participated as a speaker in various workshops, conferences, and seminars on topics ranging from AUN-QA and technical academic writing to fisheries and maritime policy, the law of the sea, maritime disputes, and contemporary issues in international affairs. He holds a PhD in Maritime Policy from the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), University of Wollongong, Australia. Dr. Mohammad Zaki Ahmad is also an alumnus of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) International Deans’ Course 2014/2015 and a recipient of the UKM-KANEKA Corporation Fellowship Program (2023).

Research Interests & Expertise

Dr. Mohammad Zaki’s current research encompasses several critical areas in maritime studies, focusing on the law of the sea, maritime policy, and regional fisheries governance within Southeast Asia. His work is particularly concerned with developing effective policy measures and enforcement mechanisms that promote sustainable fisheries and protect marine ecosystems. In his examination of the law of the sea, Dr. Zaki explores the international legal frameworks that govern maritime activities, outlining the rights, duties, and responsibilities of states in managing marine resources and ecosystems.

Another key aspect of his research is the study of regional cooperative fisheries governance in Southeast Asia. He seeks to enhance collaboration among regional nations to tackle shared challenges in fisheries management, notably illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, advocating for cooperative efforts that improve the sustainability of the region’s vital fisheries resources. More recently, his research interests have expanded to include an analysis of Malaysia’s foreign policy stance on the South China Sea dispute. In this area, Dr. Zaki explores Malaysia’s strategic interests and actions amidst the complex geopolitical dynamics and overlapping legal claims in the region.

Email: mohdzaki@uum.edu.my 

1. 2011 - PhD Maritime Policy, University of Wollongong, Australia.
2. 2002 - MA in Maritime Policy (with Distinction), University of Wollonggong, Australia
3. 1997 - BA in International Relations, University of Memphis, USA