DR MICHAEL MUSTAFA

Associate Professor and Head
Institute of  Work, Organisation and Wellbeing (IWOW) 

For Associate Professor Dr Michael Mustafa, entrepreneurship is more than starting a business. It is about shaping values, building resilience, and nurturing a sense of responsibility. 
 
Over the past 15 years at the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM), Dr Michael has played a key role in preparing graduates to meet the demands of today’s evolving business world with integrity and purpose. 
 
As Head of the Institute of Work, Organisation and Wellbeing (IWOW), Dr Michael has led the division toward greater visibility and influence. Under his leadership, IWOW introduced impactful initiatives such as the IWOW Master Series Talks, which featured leading voices from industry. 
 
He also forged partnerships with organisations including the World Institute of Action Learning and Third Degree, enhancing collaboration between the university and industry stakeholders. 

“Entrepreneurship should not be measured only by financial success,” he says. “Our aim is to develop business leaders who are accountable to their communities and the environment.” 
 
Dr Michael is also a leading academic in his field. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Entrepreneurship Research Journal and Associate Editor of the Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies. With more than 2,600 citations and an H-index of 26, his research has made a significant impact across academic and applied fields. 

Beyond publishing, he is deeply involved in teaching and mentoring. He designed and led entrepreneurship boot camps across the University of Nottingham’s campuses in Malaysia, China and the United Kingdom. 
 
These programmes help students turn creative ideas into viable business ventures and develop the mindset needed to navigate uncertainty. 
 
“It has been rewarding to see our students go on to launch businesses in areas such as food and beverage and consulting,” he says. “Some have also taken on important leadership roles, including one who contributed to the former Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre, now known as the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI).” 

Dr Michael’s contributions extend across the region. He has worked with the ASEAN Research Centre and mentors students through the Witty Scholarship Programme, which supports underprivileged students with entrepreneurial potential. 
 
Since arriving at UNM in 2010, he has watched the campus evolve into a vibrant part of the Semenyih community. He values the university’s diversity and the strong bonds formed among students and staff. 
 
A passionate advocate for sustainability, he believes it is essential to integrate responsible values into every student’s learning experience. “The entrepreneurs we train today must help shape a better tomorrow,” he says.