Prof. Ridza obtained his PhD (UMIST, UK) in August 1989 in Quantum Optics, and a higher doctoral degree DSc (UMIST, UK) in December 2004. He is the MOSTE 1994 National Young Scientist Award winner in recognition of his research in Quantum Optics. A recipient of the IDG ASEAN Chief Security Officer (CSO) 2011 Award and recognised by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) as one of the 2017 Top Research Scientists Malaysia. He is a Fellow of the Malaysian Mathematical Sciences Society, Fellow of the Malaysian Institute of Physics and Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. He was the fifth ViceChancellor of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). On 16 November 2024 the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) conferred him the title of Emeritus Professor. Presently, he is a professor at Pusat Tamhidi, USIM and the Chair of the ASM Information Technology & Computer Science Discipline.