He is professor in Linguistics at English Department of FBS UNP. He teaches various subjects, such as, Introduction to Linguistics, Morphology and Syntax, Semantics and Pragmatics, Language Teaching Evaluation, Applied Linguistics, Educational Research on Psycholinguistics, Current Issues in Psycholinguistics, Curriculum Development for EFL, Development of Language Teaching Methods and Techniques, and Innovation and Development of Language Learning Media.
Currently, Prof. Dr. M. Zaim, M.Hum. is the the Coordinator of the Doctoral Program in Language Education. Previously, Prof. Dr. M. Zaim, M.Hum served as Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Arts at Universitas Negeri Padang (2011-2019), Head of the Educational Quality Assurance Agency of West Sumatra (2007-2011), Head of the Education Office of Padang Panjang City (2004-2007), and Assistant Dean I of the Faculty of Languages, Literature, and Arts at UNP (1999-2003).
After completing his undergraduate education at the Teacher Training Institute of Padang (1984), Prof. Dr. M. Zaim, M.Hum continued with a Master’s in Linguistics at the University of Indonesia, Jakarta (1993). After obtaining his M.Hum degree, he pursued a Doctorate in Education at the University of Tasmania, Australia (1998).
Prof. Dr. M. Zaim, M.Hum has conducted extensive research in the field of linguistics and language teaching, such as “The Shift in Indonesian Word Formation System Post-New Order” (2008), “Efforts to Improve Pedagogical and Professional Competence in English Teacher Working Groups at West Sumatra High Schools” (2009), “Performance of High School English Teachers in Padang Panjang City Post-Certification” (2010), “A Holistic Approach to Improving Mastery of Competency Standards and Basic Competencies in National Examination Subjects at High Schools in Bukittinggi City and Agam Regency” (2011), “Implementation of Authentic Assessment in English Learning at RSBI Junior High Schools in Padang City” (2012), “The Shift in Indonesian Word Formation System” (2013-2014), “Development of Authentic Assessment for Speaking and Writing Skills” (2016-2018), and “Development of Android-based Listening and Grammar Learning Materials” (2019). In addition to research, he has authored several books, such as “Language Research Methods” (2008), “English Morphology” (2009), “Language Learning Evaluation” (2016), “Morphology and Syntax” (2017), and “Authentic Assessment Models for Speaking and Writing Skills” (2018).