Against the odds: Wan Hamiz Ozai carries Malaysia’s rail hopes into WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 contest

His passion for rail transport systems has taken Wan Hamiz Ozai Wan Hamidzi, 20, to the world stage. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 26 Sep 2026 9:00 PM MYT

SHANGHAI, Sept 26 — His passion for rail transport systems has taken Wan Hamiz Ozai Wan Hamidzi, 20, to the world stage.

The Diploma in Rail Systems Engineering Technology student at Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Italy Design Institute (UniKL MIDI) is representing Malaysia in Rail Vehicle Technology at the WorldSkills Competition (WSC) Shanghai 2026.

The Butterworth, Penang native said his interest in the field began while he was still in school, while exposure to major rail projects such as the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) further fuelled his ambition to become a specialist in the sector.

“From the time I applied for the railway systems course, I wanted to become a specialist in the field. I went to secondary school in Pahang, so at that time there were many projects such as the ECRL and Mutiara Line,” he told Bernama.

He said nearly three years of preparation had equipped him to balance electrical and mechanical skills required for the competition, held at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (NECC) here.

The Diploma in Rail Systems Engineering Technology student at Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Italy Design Institute (UniKL MIDI) is representing Malaysia in Rail Vehicle Technology at the WorldSkills Competition (WSC) Shanghai 2026.

Despite feeling slightly nervous about competing on the international stage against countries with established technical expertise, Wan Hamiz Ozai said continuous guidance from experts and coaches had boosted his confidence.

The former Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) student began his WorldSkills journey as a technical assistant at the WorldSkills Malaysia University Challenge (WSUC) in 2023, before becoming a participant in the 2024 and 2025 editions.

His coach, UniKL MIDI Rail Engineering Technology lecturer Mohd Firdaus Hassan, said Wan Hamiz Ozai’s natural talent and interest in the field were evident in the classroom.

He said these qualities provided a strong foundation for developing the technical skills needed for the competition.

“From the classroom, we could see his interest and guided him to become a technical person first. He started as a workshop assistant during WorldSkills Malaysia. From there, we saw his potential and then guided him to become a participant,” he said.

Mohd Firdaus said interest was a key factor in developing TVET participants, as technical skills could be acquired through structured training.

Wan Hamiz Ozai and his coach, UniKL MIDI Rail Engineering Technology lecturer Mohd Firdaus Hassan. — Bernama pic

On the international competition, he described the Malaysian contingent as an underdog against host China, which had an advantage in terms of equipment and technical expertise.

“Here, we are the underdogs, mainly because all the equipment is from China and the technical personnel are also from China.

“But after being here for three days, which is the competition period for this category, I would say not to underestimate what he can do. I believe there may be a positive outcome,” he said.

Wan Hamiz Ozai is among 22 young Malaysians competing in 21 internationally recognised skills at WSC Shanghai 2026, which brings together 1,400 top young skilled professionals from more than 65 countries and regions. — Bernama