29/05/2026
Humans of UoSM | Meet Ian Black
A suitcase, a Fender Stratocaster, and a plan that was only meant to last a few years. That was how Ian’s journey in Malaysia began.
What started as a short-term move slowly became something much bigger. Over time, Malaysia stopped feeling like a stop along the way and became home.
Ian’s interest in technology began long before his career, growing up around his parents’ electrical shop in the 1980s. Surrounded by early electronics and inspired by the Commodore 64, curiosity quickly turned into a lifelong passion for IT.
That journey eventually led him into higher education technology at the University of Southampton UK, before bringing him to UoSM, where he now serves as Senior Manager ICT & Facilities.
Behind the scenes, his work is about keeping the university running smoothly, from servers and networks to Wi-Fi, cybersecurity, and critical systems that most people only notice when something goes wrong.
“It is like an iceberg. Most of the work happens below the surface,” he shared.
Over the years, Ian has experienced many defining moments, from his first day in a small waterfront office in Puteri Harbour to helping build UoSM’s current campus from the ground up.
What stands out most is the people. The sense of community across colleagues and students has made the biggest impact on his journey.
Outside of work, he enjoys time with friends, travelling to Thailand to see his daughter, and diving whenever he gets the chance.
If he could describe his journey in three words, they would be Unpredictable. Transformational. Rewarding.
This is Humans of UoSM, celebrating the people behind the stories that shape our university. 💙
