Dr. Harnisha HAIDHIR

A senior lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, a highly experienced occupational therapist with over 24 years of clinical and academic practice. She holds a PhD in Occupational Therapy from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Puncak Alam, awarded in 2023. Currently appointed as a Vice President of the Malaysian Occupational Therapist Association (OT Malaysia) 2025-2027 and member of multiple technical and academic committees within the Ministry of Health and other academic institutions, in contributing to curriculum development, credentialing frameworks, and national guidelines for allied health services Her career spans diverse settings, including primary healthcare, community rehabilitation, mental health, and geriatric care. She has extensive experience working in both hospital and community environments, contributing significantly to service development, programme implementation, and capacity building within occupational therapy practice.

Her academic and research interests focus on occupational engagement, transition into retirement, primary healthcare, dementia care, and healthy ageing in community-based populations. Actively involved in WHO-supported research, national policy development, and academic collaboration, national and international conferences and agencies. She has also led and collaborated on innovative community programmes and interventions, playing a key role in advancing occupational therapy practice in Malaysia.