EN MOHD ZAKI BIN DEMYATI

The teachers in Sekolah Menengah Teknik Seri Manjung have a nickname for Cikgu Zaki, it is McGyver. McGyver is a character in a 199o's television series who is very creative, sharp minded and resourceful. Those are exactly the qualities that best describe him. He has a sharp mind and very skilful fingers and is a whiz at repairing and coming up with new electronic innovations.
Many new teachers and students of the school might not notice Encik Zaki as he maintains a low profile. He appears to be very reserved and quiet. He is in his element when working in the MRTV workshop working on some projects.
Encik Zaki is a native of Ijok in Selangor. He actually failed his Lower Certificate of Examination (which is something like the PMR) even though he managed to score 4 As. You see in the 1970's if one were to fail the English paper, he or she would fail in the examination. But he never gave up, he continued his education at Sekolah Menengah Vokasional Setapak and obtained a first grade pass in the SPVM. He then worked as a technician in Pejabat Daerah Sabak Bernam for two years, from 1980 to 1981. Next he decided to continue his studies at Maktab Perguruan Teknik from 1981 - 1984. For this practical teaching, he was posted to Sekolah Menengah Vokasional Lebuh Catur in Ipoh. It was there that he taught two students who would later become his colleagues in future, Encik Ishak Salasa and Puan Zamrudah Ismail.
After obtaining his teaching certificate, he was posted to Sekolah Menengah Vokasional Betong in Sarawak. He was there for 5 years. When he returned to Peninsular Malaysia, he was posted to Sekolah Menengah Bentong in Pahang. In 1992 he continued his studies at University Teknology Malaysia where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in Education. It was after he got his first degree that he was posted to Sekolah Menengah Teknik Seri Manjung in May, 1995. He told me that he would most probably retire in Seri Manjung as he and his family have settled comfortably here.
By the way, Encik Zaki met his wife, Puan Nor Laila bt Anwar while he was working as a technician in Sabak Bernam. They were married in 1985 and have four children, Siti Nor Ain (20 years), Mohd. Alif (16 years), Ummi Syafiqah (13 years) and Mohd. Izzy (5 years).
His hobbies are communicating with the members of the HAM Radio Club and working on his electronics projects. For the future he plans to help his wife in her business venture.
I mentioned that he failed his English language many years ago but in my opinion he has improved tremendously and can communicate rather well using the language. For one thing, he always makes it a point to speak to me in English and so do his two students, Encik Ishak and Puan Zamrudah.