Most people associate dyslexia with learning difficulties. But what many do not realise is that some individuals with dyslexia possess extraordinary creativity, problem-solving abilities, and unconventional ways of thinking. One inspiring example is Dr Ahmad Syahid Ahmad Fawzal, better known as Dr Aid Fawzal.
Today, he is recognised for creating the Fawzal Number (Fa), a scientific cooling performance formula used in the development of high-performance electric machines for supercars and hypercars. In a field usually dominated by Western scientists and engineers, the achievement stands as a proud moment for Malaysia.
But behind the international recognition is a journey filled with failure, rejection, dyslexia, financial struggle, and relentless perseverance.
Dr Aid Fawzal Once Struggled Deeply With Learning
Before becoming an internationally recognised engineer, Dr Aid Fawzal faced major academic challenges.
He was diagnosed with moderate dyslexia at the age of 29 while pursuing his Master’s degree at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. The diagnosis finally explained years of difficulty reading and studying.
According to him, letters often appeared reversed and words seemed to move out from the text. Reading books became exhausting, while concentrating during examinations was extremely difficult.
At one stage, he was even expelled from the university because he struggled to focus on his studies. For many people, that moment could have marked the end of their ambitions.
Instead, it became the beginning of a comeback.
His Passion for Cars Became His Biggest Advantage
Long before entering the world of advanced engineering, Dr Aid Fawzal was already deeply involved in the automotive scene.
He worked as a runner for used car parts workshops, repaired vehicles, upgraded engines, sold spare parts, and learned engineering analysis through hands-on experience.
While many saw his obsession with cars as a distraction from academics, those experiences later became the foundation of his engineering expertise.
After leaving university, he continued his studies at UniKL Malaysian France Institute before eventually pursuing higher education in the United Kingdom.
Life overseas was far from easy. To support himself financially, he repaired cars for the Malay and Muslim community in the UK while studying. Even after graduating, he continued taking repair jobs alongside part-time work in design engineering.
That combination of practical automotive experience and academic knowledge gave him a much deeper understanding of engineering beyond textbooks alone.
Dr Aid Fawzal Became One of the Best Students in CFD
Driven by curiosity and determination, Dr Aid Fawzal later pursued a Master’s degree in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) at Cranfield University.
CFD is an advanced engineering field used to study airflow, heat transfer, cooling systems, and fluid movement. It plays a major role in modern vehicle development, especially electric vehicles and high-performance machines.
Despite living with dyslexia, he became one of the top students in the field. He later pursued a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Coventry University between 2015 and 2018.
Ironically, around the same period, his sponsorship application to a Malaysian government agency was reportedly rejected because his SPM results were considered weak.
But the rejection did not stop him. Instead, he received an opportunity to conduct PhD research with a UK company specialising in high-performance electric machines.
That opportunity would eventually change his life.
How the ‘Fawzal Number’ Was Created
During his PhD research in 2018, Dr Aid Fawzal successfully developed a scientific formula now known as the Fawzal Number (Fa).
The formula is used to evaluate the cooling performance of high-performance electric machines, particularly those used in supercars and hypercars.
To explain it simply, electric vehicle motors generate enormous amounts of heat when operating under extreme performance conditions. Without proper cooling systems, performance, durability, and lifespan can be severely affected.
While ordinary vehicles may function well with standard cooling systems, high-performance machines require far more advanced thermal management. This is where the Fawzal Number becomes important.
The formula helps engineers evaluate how effectively cooling systems perform under demanding conditions.
In simpler terms, the higher the number, the better the cooling capacity or rate will be.
What makes the accomplishment even more remarkable is that the formula is reportedly used in the development of engines for an Italian supercar manufacturer.
Dr Aid Fawzal Proves Academic Failure Does Not Define Success
Today, Dr Aid Fawzal works in the United Kingdom as a Senior CFD Engineer, Aerodynamic Specialist, and Head of Research and Development at an engineering company.
But beyond the titles and achievements, his story carries a much deeper message.
After understanding his dyslexia, he developed his own reading methods and learning techniques to adapt. Rather than allowing his weaknesses to define him, he focused on strengthening his greatest advantage, his curiosity and passion for engineering.
His journey is a reminder that academic struggles do not necessarily determine someone’s future.
Reflecting on his experience, Dr Aid Fawzal also shared an important message for parents with dyslexic children.
“I want to advise parents who have children with dyslexia not to give up on educating and guiding them. This is because children with dyslexia can also succeed just like other children,” said Dr Aid Fawzal.
His story is more than just an engineering success story. It is a powerful reminder that failure is not the end, and weaknesses do not define a person’s true potential.
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