Dr. Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi, is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia, was born on April 13, 1961, in Kg. Jalan Tekukur, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. He received his early education from Sekolah Rendah Sultan Sulaiman 1 and Sekolah Menengah Sultan Sulaiman 1 in Kuala Terengganu, and later pursued a diploma in Business Studies from UiTM. He completed his Bachelor's in Business Administration (1985), Masters in Public Administration (1987), and Masters in Political Science (1988) from Indiana State University, USA, and his PhD in Political Science (1994) from Birmingham University, UK.

Dr. Syed Azman has an extensive work experience in both academic and political fields. He has worked as a researcher at Indiana State University, USA, and has served as a lecturer of Political Science at Universiti Malaya and International Islamic University Malaysia. He has also served as a former Member of Parliament of Kuala Terengganu and a former State Assemblyman of Batu Burok (2008 – 2018). He was the first director of Pusat Penyelidikan PAS (PPP) in Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, and a former political secretary to president of PAS, YB DS Haji Abdul Hadi Awang.

Dr. Syed Azman has also gained international-level experience through his involvement as a trustee in Al-Quds Foundation, Palestinian Cultural Organization Malaysia (PCOM), and member of Board of Directors, ‘Hak Asasi Palestin’ in Beirut, Lubnan. He is currently the Chairman of Asia Forum for Peace & Development (AFPAD) and has served as an Independent Election Observer for Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, and South Korea, under the Carter Centre USA and the United Nations (UN). He has also presented papers on international issues at international seminars in countries such as Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, and other countries.

[last updated 18 April 2023]