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For University of Southampton Malaysia (UoSM) alumnus Mubarak Kazmin, a strong interest in batteries sparked during his early undergraduate years has evolved into a promising international career in battery technology and research.
Mubarak began his academic journey at UoSM in 2015 under the MARA Scholarship Programme. The programme enabled him to complete two years at the Malaysia campus before transitioning to the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. Reflecting on this pathway, he shared, “The structure of the programme provided a valuable balance—allowing me to remain close to family in the early years while adjusting to university life. The academic culture at UoSM fostered independence and collaboration, which prepared me well for the more advanced and industry-connected environment in Southampton, UK.”
A turning point came during his first year at UoSM, when he participated in a seminar hosted by the Dyson Foundation. The hands-on experience of building prototypes during the seminar culminated in his team winning first place in the competition. “That experience left a strong impression on me,” he recalls. “It deepened my interest in innovation and opened my eyes to real-world applications of engineering.”
After graduating in 2019, he returned to Malaysia and joined Dyson’s advanced engineering team in Johor. There, he played a critical role in the end-to-end management of battery pack manufacturing. “Dyson develops all its battery packs in-house, and I was responsible for supervising manufacturing activities through our contract manufacturers,” he explains. His role encompassed overseeing the battery assembly process, ensuring quality during in-line testing, and managing production timelines.
Eager to take on more technically challenging work, he transitioned into Dyson’s Advanced Concepts & Connectivity Engineering (ACCE) team, focusing on battery cell and pack testing within the Research & Development division. “Our team established a new battery testing facility in Malaysia, tailored for high-power vacuum applications,” he says. “We conducted in-depth testing and qualification of battery cells, evaluated new suppliers, and supported the design of more efficient energy storage systems.”
In 2024, a new opportunity emerged as Europe’s battery manufacturing sector expanded rapidly. Mubarak was recruited by a Norwegian battery manufacturer seeking global expertise to support their growing operations. Since September 2024, he has been based in Norway, contributing to battery qualification and testing efforts at a newly established production facility.
“Being part of this rapidly evolving field has been incredibly rewarding,” he reflects. “The foundation I received at UoSM and Southampton UK—both academically and through early exposure to industry—played a key role in preparing me for this journey.”
He also credits the strong Malaysian student community in Southampton for providing personal support and a sense of belonging. “Having a close-knit community made the transition smoother, especially during the more challenging moments abroad. At the same time, Southampton’s international environment allowed me to build global networks and engage meaningfully with the engineering industry.”
Today, Mubarak continues to contribute to the advancement of battery technology—applying the skills and knowledge cultivated during his time at UoSM to help power the next generation of energy solutions.