Entrepreneur, Scholar & Nation Builder!
In the digital age, one meme can destroy a reputation. But for Datuk Wira Dr Azizan Osman, the most recognisable entrepreneurship mentor in Malaysia, the real story goes far beyond the noise in cyberspace.
He has trained more than 100,000 entrepreneurs in Malaysia and in neighbouring Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei. He has contributed to the billions of ringgit in revenue generated by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and he has been directly involved in strategic discussions with the Prime Minister’s Office, ministries and economic development agencies in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Yet his name is often a target — misunderstood, misquoted and manipulated.
A ‘lifelong student’ nobody has ever fully known
“When did I ever say I have seven PhDs? Never,” Azizan says calmly.
Years before he received any formal recognition, Azizan joined various PhD and DBA programmes at several overseas institutions — some of which are not recognised in Malaysia. He knew that.
“I wasn’t chasing titles. I was chasing knowledge.”
Today, that learning journey has produced:
- PhD in Business Administration – Asia e University (recognised by MQA & MOHE)
- Master of Laws (LL.M) – University of Cumbria, UK
- Master of Science in Marketing (MScM) – University of Salford, UK
- Diploma in Investment Analysis – UiTM
- Currently pursuing a Global MBA – University of Manchester
- Currently completing another PhD at UPM – assessing the effectiveness of government support for Malaysian SMEs
He is also:
- Fellow of CIMA UK (FCMA, CGMA)
- Chartered Accountant of Malaysia (MIA)
- Member of MAICSA
- Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM)
- Certified coach from Berkeley Coaching Institute & Marshall Goldsmith
“I love knowledge. But useful knowledge isn’t meant to hang on a wall. It’s meant to be given back to society.”
Not just a trainer — a builder of the entrepreneurship ecosystem
Through RichWorks, Azizan has guided more than 100,000 entrepreneurs, many of them from the B40 group, helping them build million-ringgit brands.
Among his achievements:
- Helping SMEs across sectors: food, fashion, logistics, fintech, education & health
- Developing business-building programmes for the professional Muslim community
- Contributing to the national SME development framework
“I’ve been called to the PMO, sat down with ministers, and been invited to Indonesia to share strategy. My mission is clear — build the ummah’s economy through business.”
In the 17 years since RichWorks, the company he founded, began, Azizan and RichWorks have been involved in various entrepreneurship development programmes, including:-
- Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia
- Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB) – Kelab Usahawan 1 Juta (KU1J) programme
- Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM)
- Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia
- Media Prima Berhad
- Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad (Astro)
Indonesia:
Ministry of Tourism & Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf)
Proof of success in the real world
Beyond training and talks, Azizan also owns and is involved in real businesses:
- Major shareholder of ManagePay (MPay) – a fintech company listed on Bursa Malaysia
- MPay built SuperApps for the Penang State Government & KTMB
- Owner of WiraGo Express – an e-fulfilment hub for Shopee & TikTok sellers
- Owner of a BNM-licensed financing & leasing company focused on SMEs
- Co-founder of a licensed accounting firm with branches in KL, JB, KB & Kuching
- Co-owner of an Umrah company
- Shareholder of Innovative Capital Berhad – which holds 100% ownership of Innovative University College (IUC), registered under the Ministry of Higher Education and MQA.
“I don’t just teach business. I build the infrastructure for businesses to succeed.”
“I don’t have those jajan businesses the netizens like to talk about… they love making up fiction.”
The academic article that was questioned
In 2022, Azizan wrote a research article based on his PhD thesis, published by the journal Cogent Business & Management.
Controversy arose when the title “Datuk Wira Dr” appeared automatically through his ORCID profile.
“That was a technical error. I’ve fixed it. But the research stands — it was reviewed and published academically.”
He is now completing four more academic articles with a team of UPM researchers for publication in international journals.
The convocation photo that became an issue
Another controversy surfaced when Azizan’s convocation photo in Carlisle, UK on 16 July was said to be fake and AI-generated.
The facts: he completed the LL.M programme at the University of Cumbria and attended the ceremony. He wore the PhD gown, then changed into the university’s official gown at the request of the secretariat.
“I attended with pride and respect. But whenever we succeed, someone will try to ‘make up a story’.”
https://azizanosman.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/azizan-osman-DWDAO-CUMBRIA.mp4
For verification:
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.cumbria.ac.uk
Looking ahead: AI, responsibility & barakah
Azizan is now focused on:
- Building an AI platform for mentoring SME entrepreneurs
- Writing a new book on how AI can accelerate business growth ethically and strategically
- Expanding RichWorks Academy across the ASEAN region
“I don’t chase viral fame. I chase results. I want to help more Muslims build businesses that are halal, impactful and blessed.”
His life compass holds firmly to the hadith of Prophet Muhammad SAW:
“The best of people are those most beneficial to others” (HR Ibn Hibban).
Conclusion:
People who only criticise will never build. Those who build don’t have the time to criticise.
Datuk Wira Dr Azizan Osman chose the path of building — not without challenges, but with real impact.
To his supporters: this is the proof that the right intention and true knowledge will bring results.
To his critics: maybe it’s time to stop judging qualifications… and start judging contribution.
#AzizanOsman #PKSMalaysia #UsahawanMuslim #AIUntukBisnes #RichWorks #Kebenaran #PemimpinEkonomi #BelajarSepanjangHayat
I love knowledge. But useful knowledge isn’t meant to hang on a wall. It’s meant to be given back to society.
Prof. Datuk Wira Dr. Azizan Osman
Business growth strategist, mentor and TV & podcast host – guiding founders and MSMEs through expansion and scale.