learning – Dr. Mazlan Abbas

My Journey Through Academia, Telco, and Startup Mayhem — And Why I’d Do It Again

From Signals to Sensing: The Early Spark

Every time I look back at where this whole adventure began, I’m reminded of how simple the starting point was. I was just a young engineer obsessed with how things connected. My academic path shaped the first chapter — electrical engineering, telematics, and finally a doctoral dive into telecommunications.

Those years were filled with long nights, dense textbooks, and moments where I quietly wondered, “Is this really the road I want to stay on?” But something about networks — the way invisible signals could connect lives — kept pulling me forward.

My early years in academia gave me a grounding that I still rely on today. Teaching forced me to explain ideas clearly, question assumptions, and stay curious. It was the first real test of whether I understood the world of connectivity or was just reciting formulas.

Into the Telco Trenches

Eventually, the classroom walls felt too small. I wanted to see how these theories behaved under real pressure. That shift took me deep into the telecommunications industry.

Those years were intense: real customers, real failures, real deadlines. It wasn’t just about making a system work; it was about keeping it alive when the world depended on it.

Later, I moved to a national research agency, where I led teams working on early broadband, wireless sensor networks, and technologies that today fall neatly under the label of IoT. Back then, it felt like tinkering with the future. Testing prototypes in rural villages, deploying sensors in unfamiliar places, experimenting with wireless technologies that many considered too early or too ambitious.

Yet I couldn’t shake the thought: “What if this tech leaves the labs and enters daily life?” That question lingered for years.

The Entrepreneurial Leap

Eventually, that question grew too loud to ignore. I left the comfort of corporate structures and returned to the raw, unknown world of startup life.

First came a role in shaping a national IoT initiative. Then came the big leap: building a company from scratch.

That company was REDtone IoT. Running it taught me one of the toughest lessons — great tech means nothing if people can’t use it easily. Every client wanted IoT, but most didn’t know where to start. They struggled with device integration, cloud setups, dashboards, maintenance, and the countless hidden complexities that IoT quietly hides behind its shiny promise.

That frustration became the seed for something bigger.

The Birth of FAVORIOT

By 2017, the vision crystallised: create a platform that removes the chaos and gives everyone — students, SMEs, city councils, engineers — a simple way to bring IoT ideas to life.

FAVORIOT wasn’t built to be fancy. It was built to be practical.

I wanted a platform where a lecturer could run a complete IoT project without having to manage 10 different systems. Where a hardware company didn’t need to customise dashboards endlessly. Where a city council could monitor sensors without drowning in integration nightmares.

FAVORIOT was designed for inclusion. For accessibility. For the everyday builder, not just the big spender.

And every year since, that vision has deepened.

Wearing Many Hats

Even as FAVORIOT was growing, I continued teaching and speaking. These weren’t side gigs. They kept me grounded. They reminded me why I started.

Standing in front of students made me rethink complexity. Speaking to industry leaders challenged my ideas. Engaging with smart city stakeholders, founders, and device makers kept me aware of the real obstacles people face.

Sometimes I’d walk out of a lecture hall thinking, “This feedback is better than any consultancy report.”

Sometimes a conversation with a frustrated engineer made me go back and tweak the platform design.

Those experiences shaped FAVORIOT as much as any technology roadmap ever did.

Recognition and Reality Checks

Over time, things began to click. FAVORIOT earned recognition. My own work in IoT and smart cities gained global visibility. Industry groups listed me among the top influencers. Conferences kept inviting me to speak.

But none of that ever felt like a trophy finish. If anything, it reminded me that the journey had only just reached a new checkpoint.

“Alright, Mazlan, now don’t get comfortable,” I’d quietly tell myself.

The pressure increased. Expectations rose. The work became heavier… but also more meaningful.

Why the Story Still Matters

When I piece the chapters together, it becomes clear that every phase — the student, the professor, the telco engineer, the researcher, the entrepreneur — served a purpose.

Academia taught discipline.
Telco taught scale.
Research taught imagination.
Entrepreneurship taught resilience.
Teaching and speaking taught clarity.

FAVORIOT stands today as more than a platform. It’s a symbol of what happens when technology is shaped around people — their pains, their limitations, their hopes.

I’ve always believed IoT should be accessible. Not something locked behind expensive teams or giant corporations. Not something only “experts” can touch.

If we can empower everyday builders, we’re doing something right.

A Note to My Younger Self

If I could sit with the younger version of me — the one carrying textbooks thicker than his arm — I’d probably smile and say:

“Every jump you make will make sense one day. Every detour, every frustration, every late night… you’re collecting tools. Don’t rush the process.”

And maybe I’d add:

“When you build for people, not systems, that’s when the real magic happens.”

If you’ve read this far, I’m curious — which part of this journey speaks to you the most? Drop your thoughts. Let’s connect through stories.

Why Do Students Hire Outsiders to Do Their Projects?

A Response from an Educator, Entrepreneur, and Tech Education Advocate

“Why are students willing to pay outsiders to do their projects? What’s the root cause? Where did we go wrong?”

This question isn’t new. It has been raised many times in discussions between academics, industry players, and the tech maker community. But this time, it was addressed with raw honesty by a trainer who truly understands students — someone who has taught students, trained lecturers, and now works with industry professionals. I found the four points he raised very insightful, and I’d like to unpack them — not to dispute, but to build on the conversation with my own experience.

1. University Syllabi Don’t Offer Enough Hands-On Experience?

“Is this really true, or are we not seeing the bigger picture?”

I’ll admit — there’s some truth to this. Many students who’ve come to me for consultation, especially on IoT or Favoriot training, often complain that their final year projects had to rely on self-learning via YouTube because they lacked deep technical guidance.

“But… surely not all universities are like that?”

Exactly. Some universities have moved towards hands-on learning, especially polytechnics, vocational colleges, and certain engineering faculties that actively collaborate with industry. The real problem is inconsistency. Some still rely heavily on simulation — and in fields like IoT, AI, or robotics, learning without touching hardware is like trying to learn swimming on dry land.

When I trained university lecturers through our Train the Trainers program for IoT, I saw firsthand how much they wanted to shift to practical methods — but were sometimes constrained by equipment, budget, or institutional policies. That’s reality.

This is why platforms like Favoriot are designed to break those barriers — offering affordable, easy-to-access platforms that can be embedded into courses, enabling students and lecturers to work from basic projects to advanced real-time data integration.

2. Lecturers Can’t Identify Student Talents?

“Are we too busy to notice the potential blooming right in front of us?”

As a former lecturer, I understand the pressure — full lecture schedules, endless meetings, research deadlines, and admin tasks. It becomes almost impossible to personally assess each student’s potential — unless they step forward.

But that’s not an excuse.

I’ve learned something through running smaller classes. “When the group is small, it’s easier to spot who’s struggling, who’s excelling. But in a lecture hall with 100 students?” We need a system.

Some suggestions:

Use mini-projects at the beginning of the semester to diagnose technical aptitude.
Bring in industry mentors (like us at Favoriot) to support project work.
Offer microlearning platforms like IoT Academy as supplements, not just stick to lecture notes.

Talent has to be discovered — not waited on.

3. Students Chase Paper Qualifications Only?

“Grades matter. But is that the ultimate goal?”

Many students believe excellent CGPAs equal great jobs. But times have changed. Employers now care more about your portfolio than your transcript.

I’ve met students with perfect grades who can’t troubleshoot a sensor. But I’ve also seen average students who build working temperature-monitoring systems with Telegram alerts using Favoriot — and are now working with real IoT startups.

This isn’t about who’s smarter, it’s about who’s brave enough to learn on their own.

That’s why we always encourage students to start with mini-projects early in the semester. Better to fail early and learn fast. We must build a culture of “learn by doing, fail fast, recover faster.”

4. Universities Are Slow to Update the Syllabus?

I fully agree here. Technology evolves every six months — yet syllabi may only change every six years. Changing a curriculum isn’t easy — it requires senate approvals, academic committees, MQA validation, and more.

But I applaud technical institutions like TVET, polytechnics, and certain private colleges that quickly adopt new tech. Some don’t just teach “how to use,” but also “how to think.”

However, we can’t just create skilled workers. We need thinkers, problem-solvers, and future tech leaders — those who can build solutions, not just follow instructions.

That’s why Favoriot is more than just a data platform. It’s a thinking tool. A place where students ask:

How can I solve a real-world problem?
How does data help decision-making?
How can tech integration impact communities?

So… Is It Wrong for Students to Hire Outsiders?

I asked myself the same thing — is it the students’ fault or the system’s?

I don’t fully blame the students. Sometimes they panic, lack support, and just want to pass. I also don’t blame those who offer project services — sometimes that’s the only indirect way a student learns something.

“But… if a student pays and learns nothing — that’s the real problem.”

We need to change the narrative:

From “doing it just to pass” to “doing it to learn.”
From “copying projects” to “creating value.”

From Training Students to Training Lecturers to Training Industry

I understand what the original author meant when he said:

“I used to train students, then lecturers, and now industry staff…”

That’s the cycle. When students and lecturers reach a certain capability, they don’t need you anymore. And that’s not a loss — that’s a win.

I’ve experienced the same. When IoT becomes embedded in campus life, when the Favoriot dashboard becomes an official teaching tool — I know my mission is progressing. Even if I’m no longer invited, I quietly smile inside.

“Opportunities will always come — maybe not from the same place, but from the impact you’ve already planted.”

To close:

Students need more hands-on guidance.
Lecturers need time and tools to identify talent.
Universities need the courage to match industry demands.
And all of us must see education as more than just passing — it’s about living, contributing, and growing.

For those who help students — do it with the heart to teach, not just to earn. Let them learn — even if it’s through you.

One day, they will thank you — not for finishing their project, but for making them someone who can stand on their own and create value.

“That’s the real purpose of education. And that’s the legacy we should all strive to leave behind.”

The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 15: From Lecture Halls to Investor Pitches

I never imagined public speaking would become such a big part of my life. Yet, I stand before audiences—students, industry experts, corporate executives, and even investors—sharing ideas, teaching, and sometimes convincing people to believe in what I say.

Public speaking was never something I actively sought out. It was more of an expectation that grew into a skill and eventually became a passion. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. There were moments of doubt, nervousness, and even outright fear.

Let me take you on this journey—from my early days as a nervous lecturer to confidently pitching my company’s vision to investors.

The Classroom as My First Stage

My journey into public speaking began in the most unexpected place—a classroom. As a lecturer, I stood before students daily, speaking for an hour or two.

What if they don’t understand what I’m saying? What if they get bored? These thoughts constantly ran through my mind.

At first, I took the traditional approach—delivering information and expecting students to absorb it like sponges. But I quickly realized that wasn’t how learning worked. Students needed engagement, real-world examples, and, most importantly, a connection with their lecturer.

I started tweaking my delivery and experimenting with storytelling, analogies, and humour. Some things worked; some didn’t, but each lecture became a lesson for me as much as it was for them.

I realized that a good speaker doesn’t just present facts; they make the audience feel the knowledge.

From Lecture Halls to Global Stages

After years of teaching, I received invitations to speak at conferences and seminars. This was an entirely different ball game. Instead of students, my audience now consisted of professionals—industry experts, business leaders, and even government officials.

Unlike in a classroom, where I had hours to explain a concept, I was given at most 15 to 40 minutes.

How do I compress years of knowledge into a short presentation, and how do I keep a diverse audience engaged?

I discovered that the opening of a speech is everything. You’ve lost them if you don’t capture attention in the first minute. I began experimenting with provocative questions, compelling anecdotes, or surprising facts. And it worked. The engagement level skyrocketed.

One of my favorite moments was being invited to speak about IoT at an international conference. Instead of diving straight into technical jargon, I started with a simple yet relatable question: “Have you ever lost your keys?”

That one question had the audience hooked. From there, I smoothly transitioned into how IoT can solve everyday problems. The feedback was overwhelming.

That’s when I learned an important lesson: It’s not about how much you know but how well you can make others understand.

The Marathon of Workshops

Then came the next challenge—workshops. Unlike seminars, which last under an hour, workshops stretched for a full day or even two days.

How do I keep people engaged for that long?

A one-way lecture wouldn’t work. No one wants to sit through hours of someone talking non-stop. I had to make workshops interactive. I incorporated discussions, real-life problem-solving, and case studies. I encouraged participants to share their thoughts and experiences.

And something magical happened—I started learning from my audience.

Workshops became two-way learning sessions. I realized that every room I entered was filled with people who had valuable insights. The key was to tap into that collective knowledge.

Selling a Vision: From Knowledge Sharing to Persuasion

As I transitioned into the corporate and technology world, my role in public speaking shifted. It was no longer just about teaching; it was about persuasion.

This is where Product Talks came in—presentations where I had to sell the vision and benefits of our products.

How do I convince people without sounding like a salesperson?

I quickly learned that the secret wasn’t selling but solving. People don’t want to hear about product features; they want to know how a product can solve their problems. So, I stopped listing specifications and started telling stories—stories of businesses that faced struggles and how our solutions helped them overcome challenges.

One time, during a client meeting, instead of presenting slides full of technical details, I told the story of a small business that lost thousands of dollars due to equipment failures and how our IoT solution helped prevent future losses.

The result? The client was more engaged and convinced than they would have been with any technical presentation.

That’s when I realized that people remember stories, not bullet points.

The Ultimate Test: Pitching to Investors

The biggest challenge of all? Investor pitches.

Unlike lectures or product talks, where I had at least 15 minutes, investor pitches often had a brutal time limit—sometimes as short as three to five minutes.

Imagine summarising an entire business, its potential, market opportunity, and financial projections in just a few minutes. It felt impossible.

How do I say everything that matters in such a short time?

I learned three crucial lessons:

Clarity is everything. Investors don’t have time for fluff. Every sentence must add value.
Confidence matters more than words. If you don’t believe in your own vision, why should they?
The slides must be minimalist but powerful. Too much text? They’ll stop listening. Too few details? They won’t take you seriously. Every slide must serve a clear purpose.

I remember one particular pitch where I had only five minutes. Instead of panicking, I focused on three key points: the problem, the solution, and the impact.

That day, at least, we secured interest from investors. That’s when I understood that investors don’t just invest in businesses but in people who clearly communicate a vision.

The Lessons from a Life of Speaking

After years of standing in front of audiences, I’ve come to realize a few things:

Public speaking isn’t about what you say but how you make people feel. If they feel connected, they will remember your message.
Engagement is everything. Whether it’s a lecture, a workshop, or a pitch, if people aren’t engaged, they aren’t listening.
Every speech is a chance to improve. Even after all these years, I still analyze every talk I give, asking myself, What could I have done better?

Now, every time I step onto a stage, whether in a lecture hall, a corporate boardroom, or an investor pitch, I remind myself of one thing:

Speaking is not about impressing people with knowledge; it’s about making them care about what you’re saying.

And if you can do that—you’ve already won.

What About You?

Are you afraid of public speaking? Have you ever struggled to communicate an idea effectively? Or maybe you’re already an experienced speaker looking to improve?

Whatever stage you’re at, just remember: public speaking is a skill that can be mastered. The more you do it, the better you’ll get.

And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll be the one standing on a stage, inspiring others with your words.

The Story Behind Favoriot – Part 4: How Favoriot Became More Than Just an IoT Platform

I never planned for Favoriot to be more than just an internal tool.

Back when we first started developing the platform, it was purely out of necessity. We weren’t thinking about commercializing it. We just needed a reliable way to manage IoT data, and the existing platforms? They just didn’t cut it. Too rigid, too limited, and definitely not built with our specific needs in mind.

So, we decided to build our own.

I still remember that moment vividly—one of those late-night discussions with my team, fueled by frustration and too much coffee.

“Why are we wasting time forcing a square peg into a round hole?” I said. “Let’s just create something that actually works for us.”

And just like that, Favoriot was born.

At first, it was just for us—a solution to our own headaches. We never imagined it would one day be used by universities, students, or businesses. That wasn’t even on our radar. But then, something kept bothering me.

The Eye-Opener: Why Are We Using Foreign Platforms?

Every time I gave an IoT lecture at a university, I saw the same thing. Students were using foreign platforms like ThingSpeak and Blynk.

At first, I brushed it off. But then, it hit me—why were we relying so much on platforms from outside Malaysia? Didn’t we have something just as good, if not better?

That thought gnawed at me for weeks.

“We have this amazing platform,” I told my team. “Why aren’t we making it available to students and researchers here?”

The more I thought about it, the more sense it made. If we could offer Favoriot as a local alternative, students wouldn’t have to rely on foreign tools. So, I started introducing it in my lectures, offering free access to encourage students to use it in their projects.

I was optimistic. Maybe a little too optimistic.

The Harsh Reality: No One Was Interested

Despite our efforts, students weren’t biting. They continued using ThingSpeak and Blynk. I couldn’t figure it out.

“What are we doing wrong?” I asked myself.

Then it hit me—content.

Those platforms had an overwhelming amount of learning resources. Tutorials, YouTube videos, step-by-step guides. Everything a beginner needed was right at their fingertips.

Favoriot? Not so much.

It wasn’t that students didn’t want to use our platform; they just didn’t know how. Without accessible tutorials, they naturally gravitated toward platforms with a smoother learning curve.

That realization stung.

Taking Matters Into My Own Hands

At first, I thought, Maybe I can get students to create tutorial videos.

Wrong.

Most weren’t comfortable putting themselves out there as content creators. And honestly, I understood. It’s not easy to create educational content, especially when you’re just starting.

So, I made a decision.

“If no one else is going to do it, then I will.”

We started producing our own YouTube tutorials, pushing Favoriot on TikTok, and making the platform more accessible. It wasn’t easy, and it took time, but I knew it was the only way forward.

At first, progress was slow.

I had my doubts.

Is this even worth it? Are we just shouting into the void?

But I held on. If I’ve learned anything from this journey, it’s that persistence pays off.

The Turning Point: From Struggle to Recognition

Bit by bit, Favoriot started gaining traction. More students began using it, and word started to spread. But the real breakthrough? That came when external organizations started noticing us.

Suddenly, Favoriot wasn’t just an educational tool—it was being used in agriculture, industry, smart cities, and security systems.

I remember watching it all unfold, feeling both humbled and proud.

“Alhamdulillah,” I whispered. But deep down, I knew—this was just the beginning.

We didn’t stop there. We worked on differentiating Favoriot, adding unique features that platforms like ThingSpeak and Blynk didn’t offer. We weren’t just another IoT platform anymore. We were a better IoT platform.

What’s Next?

The journey hasn’t been easy. We’ve faced rejection, setbacks, and moments of self-doubt. But every challenge has taught us something valuable.

And this story? It’s far from over.

In Part 5, I’ll dive deeper into the specific challenges we faced, the roadblocks we overcame, and the key moments that shaped Favoriot into what it is today.

The best is yet to come.

Tag: learning