Faiz Zaidi is a Senior Executive currently serving in the Programme Secretariat Unit at IDEAS. His expertise is built upon a strong foundation developed during his previous role as a Researcher within the Democracy and Governance Unit. In this capacity, Faiz was instrumental in managing a diverse portfolio of projects and research outputs, with a specific focus on critical areas, including enhancing federal and state government transparency and accountability. His work directly contributed to IDEAS’ mission of promoting institutional reform and good governance practices across the country.

Faiz’s role as a project manager at IDEAS involves end-to-end execution and successful delivery of the organisation’s diverse research portfolio, ensuring all projects align with IDEAS’ strategic objectives and policy advocacy goals. His role involves comprehensive project planning, coordinating internal research teams and external stakeholders, managing budgets and timelines, and overseeing the quality control of project outputs, from research publication, relevant research activities and launch events. Faiz’s role serves as the crucial link between researchers, operations, and the advocacy and events team, driving efficient workflow and maximising the real-world policy impact of IDEAS’ scholarly work.

Faiz’s academic background provides a robust underpinning for his professional contributions. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Politics and Government from the University of Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). Furthering his specialisation in policy and international relations, he obtained a Master of Social Science in Strategy and Diplomacy through the highly regarded IDFR-UKM programme, a joint initiative between the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) and the National University of Malaysia (UKM). This advanced study has equipped him with a deep understanding of strategic thinking, geopolitical dynamics, and the complexities inherent in public policy implementation, all of which he applies diligently in his current role.