Mahmud Zuhdi Bin Mohd Nor, Ph.D.

Dr. Mahmud Zuhdi Mohd Nor returns to the College of Law, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University in August 2024 after completing his sabbatical work in London, England and Kuala Lumpur, Maysia (2023-2024). Previously he was an Associate Professor at the College of Law, Prince Sultan University (2022-2023), Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (2017-2022) Saudi Arabia, and the National University of Malaysia (1997-2017). 

He holds a Bachelor of Law degree (International Islamic University, Malaysia) (1995), Master of Laws (University of Malaya, Malaysia) (1999), and Doctor of Philosophy (University of Edinburgh, Scotland) (2008). His PhD thesis examines the interplay between international law and Malaysian law on the protection of the underwater cultural heritage, developed from a research paper presented at the United Nations/United Nations Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR) Fellowship Program in International Law in Den Haag, The Netherlands in the summer 2002. The findings in that thesis were presented at the 3^rd International Congress on Underwater Cultural Heritage (IKUWA3) in London in 2008 and published under Gambh, Germany, in 2012. 

In addition to the numerous research projects in which he was a member, Dr Mahmud led and completed funded projects including: ‘Valuing heritage and designation Issues: historic buildings’ (Fundamental Research Grant Malaysia, 2009-2012), ‘Protection of intangible cultural heritage in Malaysia’ (Fundamental Research Grant Malaysia, 2010-2013), ‘Treatise surveys in the fields of cultural and natural environment’ (University Research Grant, 2011-2013) and ‘Study on Access to Justice (Legal Aid) for Community In Need’ (Ministry of Women and Family Affairs, Malaysia, 2010-2012). All of these projects paved the way for a firm relationship between the University and related industry partners, sustained community projects and produced research publications.

Highlights of his industrial/professional engagements include appointments as the Deputy Legal Advisor at the Office of Legal Advisor and Integrity, National University of Malaysia (2015-2017), Founding Chief Editor of the Melaka Journal of Heritage, under the auspices of the Melaka State government (principally the Melaka Museums Corporation), Malaysia (2011-2016) producing five volumes of seminal work on Malaysian cultural heritage; Committee Member for the Malaysia Disciplinary Board for Advocates & Solicitors (2007-2017); Collaboration lead for National University Malaysia and the International Committee for Red Cross Malaysia on various projects (2010-2016); as well as the Head of Industry and Community Partnerships, Faculty of Law, National University of Malaysia (2009-2013). More recently in Saudi Arabia, he was engaged by the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society as a Legal Consultant for three major projects: Farasan Islands (2020-2021), Harrat al-Uwayrid (2022), and the gap analysis study for the nomination of Imam Abdul Aziz Park (2023-2024), all under the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program.

Currently, he is preparing a chapter commentary to the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage together with a network of global experts in the field.