Prof. Dr. Azizan bin Abu Samah was born on 22 August, 1954 in Jitra, Kedah. He had his early education at the Sultan Tajuddin Primary School in Jitra before continuing his secondary education at the Jitra Secondary School. His studies at Jitra were not for long as he received an offer to study at the Malay College, Kuala Kangsar (MCKK).

Upon completing his studies at secondary level, Prof. Madya Dr. Azizan pursued his studies at the Monash University and obtained his B.Sc (Hons.) IIB in Physics in 1977. In 1982, he obtained his master degree from the La Trobe University in atmosphere physics. His love for knowledge has no limit, and continued his studies and obtained his Ph.D in Meteorology from Reading University in the United Kingdom in 1990.

Career

• Lecturer, Geography Department of University of Malaya (1983)
• He was promoted to Associate Professor at the same department (1992)
• Co-coordinator, Antarctic Research Programme at the Science Academy of Malaysia

In 1998, Associate Professor Dr. Azizan visited Scott Base, at the Antarctic as preparation for the exploration of facilities at the research station. A year later, in 1999, he led the first Malaysian science research expedition to Scott Base, as head of the Antarctic research programme. He was appointed Head of the Antarctic Boundary Layer Research Project Observatory at Ross Ice Shelf, the Antarctic. From 6 to 13 February, 2002, Associate Professor Dr. Azizan Abu Samah had participated in the Expedition to the Antarctic with the Prime Minister, Y.A.B. Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, by sailing on the Captain Dranitsyn Ice Breaker.

Membership of Committees at the International Level

• Fellow Royal Meteorological Society (1991)
• Head, Action Group on Katabatic Wind, Scientific Committee Antarctic Research (2002)
• Member, Working Group III Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (1993)

Membership of Committees at the National Level

• Member, Action Committee for the Antarctic, Science Academy of Malaysia, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MOSTE) (1998)
• Member, National Committee for Haze, MOSTE (1990-1996)
• Member, Technical Committee Air Quality Management Study for Klang Valley Region by the International Cooperation Agency of Japan (MOSTE) (1991-1992)
• Member, Joint Committee on IPT-PLUS studies on Slopes and Pavements of Expressways (1990-1997)
• Member, National Committee of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (1994)

Panel of Consultants and Experts

• Member, Haze Technical Research CSIRO Australia (2001)
  
• Member, Antarctic Research Evaluation
  
• Member, Technical Committee of the AEAN Minister Conference on Transboundary Pollution (1995)

Involvements in Social and Professional Organisations

• Secretary, Academic Staff Association (1994-1996)
• Auditor, PTA Sri Hartamas Secondary School (2001)
• Columnist, 'Sejuk-sejuk Panas' Utusan Melayu'
• Mediator for AM Staff of University of Malaya Association