I am Hadafi Fitri Mohd Latip, 40 years old, from Ipoh, Perak. I am the third of four siblings, all of us male. My parents are retired government employees who worked at Telekom Malaysia.
I received my early education at Tadika Seruan Islam in Ipoh, Perak, before moving on to St. Michael’s Primary School 1 and St. Michael’s Secondary School. Later, I attended Sekolah Menengah Teknik Ipoh. After earning my Diploma in Civil Engineering, I worked at Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (SYABAS) in Petaling Jaya. After three years, I further studies at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), opting for a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Education (Sports Science), which allowed me to become a sports teacher.
My academic and professional journey in Sports Science and Health Science began in 2011 when I joined the School of Biomedical Science and Engineering (SKBSK) as a tutor. Today, I am proud to hold the position of Director at the Sports Innovation Technology Centre (SITC) at UTM and a Fellow at Kolej Tun Dr. Ismail (KTDI) UTM. I aim to continue the legacy of my mentors, Prof. Dr. Hafidz and Prof. Dr. Anizu, and I hope that one day, sports science and health science at UTM will become prominent fields. My motto is, “With wisdom, we explore.”
How would you bridge the gap from your research to users?
Bridging the gap between sports research and its practical application for athletes, coaches, and sports organizations requires a well-thought-out strategy. My approach starts with profoundly understanding sports users’ specific needs and challenges. This involves engaging in direct dialogue with stakeholders to identify areas where research can have a practical impact, whether improving performance, enhancing training methods, or addressing health and safety concerns.
Once these needs are identified, it’s crucial to communicate the research findings in an accessible and understandable way. I do this by simplifying technical jargon, using visual aids like infographics, and developing user-friendly summaries. By presenting information clearly, I ensure the research is relevant and applicable to the users’ daily practices.
Testing research outcomes in real-world settings is also crucial. I collaborate closely with sports organizations to implement and test solutions, gathering feedback and refining my approaches based on user experience. This iterative process builds trust and credibility, ensuring the research delivers tangible benefits.
Finally, I prioritize knowledge transfer by organizing workshops and seminars and publishing articles. These efforts foster a continuous exchange of ideas, helping researchers and sports practitioners collaborate toward improving sports practices and performance. Through these steps, I ensure that my research effectively bridges the gap and has a meaningful impact on sports users worldwide.
Please do share with us your journey as an inventor.
My journey as an inventor started as a sports science student at UTM. As part of my final-year project, I was required to undertake a research project in sports technology under the guidance of my supervisor. This project resulted in a significant achievement: winning the bronze medal at the Malaysia Technology Expo. This recognition underscored the practical value of our research in sports technology and affirmed its relevance to the industry.
This early success honed my research skills and deepened my appreciation for the intersection of sports and technology, shaping my career in sports science and technological innovation. However, the path wasn’t easy. As a student, I struggled to understand the complexities of sports technology projects, primarily due to my limited experience in the field.
What helped me overcome these challenges was the guidance and mentorship from more experienced individuals. I actively sought their advice and insights, which proved invaluable in accelerating my learning and grasping the subject matter. Over time, through persistence and hard work, I was able to master the necessary skills, enabling me to navigate and excel in research and innovation within sports science and technology.
This early experience of facing and overcoming challenges laid the foundation for my academic and professional development, ultimately shaping my career in sports science.
What is your aspiration for the future?
I aspire to see sports science and health science become prominent fields at UTM. Curriculum programs should blend theoretical knowledge with practical applications, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for careers in research, healthcare, sports management, and other fields.
By fostering a research-driven environment, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, and securing funding for impactful projects, SITC UTM can significantly contribute to solving societal challenges related to sports and health. This effort will enhance the institution’s academic reputation, attract talented individuals, and establish valuable partnerships with industry and community stakeholders.
By offering mentorship, hands-on learning experiences, and access to cutting-edge facilities, SITC UTM can nurture a new generation of leaders in sports and health sciences. These students will carry forward the legacy of innovation, making significant contributions on both national and global stages. Through these collective efforts, I hope to see my vision of establishing sports and health sciences as crucial disciplines at UTM become a reality, creating a lasting impact on education, research, and societal health.
