YUNNAN, Dec 8 – Malaysia’s Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) made a significant impact at the prestigious Tengchong Scientists Forum (TSF) 2024, with Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Nur Azaliah Abu Bakar, Associate Director of UTM International Kuala Lumpur and an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence (FAI), representing the university as a keynote speaker. Her participation underscored UTM’s leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) and governance, as well as the importance of international collaboration in addressing global challenges.
The TSF, themed “Science: Global Innovation and Scientists’ Mission – Empowering High-Quality Development,” brought together over 1,000 participants, including Nobel laureates, renowned academicians, and emerging scientific leaders from South and Southeast Asia. The forum, organized by the Yunnan Provincial Government and the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), served as a platform for discussing how science and technology can contribute to solving pressing global issues, such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, and digital governance.
The keynote presentation, titled “AI-Driven Digital Governance: Insights from Malaysia and Potential Regional Cooperation,” highlighted the transformative potential of AI in scientific discovery and governance. Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Nur Azaliah shared Malaysia’s progress in building AI infrastructure and outlined key initiatives from UTM, such as the AI Innovations for Research Hub and the university’s role in the Malaysia AI Consortium. These projects aim to align AI-driven research with sustainable development goals and foster partnerships to address shared challenges in the Lancang-Mekong Region and beyond.
Her presentation also emphasized the need for workforce upskilling and strategic collaborations to fully harness AI’s potential for regional and global development. The focus on cross-border partnerships inspired discussions on how AI could be a unifying tool for scientific and societal progress. The forum provided a valuable opportunity for UTM to establish connections with researchers and policymakers from leading institutions worldwide. Networking sessions facilitated discussions on collaborative AI projects and interdisciplinary research, reinforcing Malaysia’s commitment to advancing global scientific cooperation through partnerships and knowledge exchange.
A key highlight of the forum was the Young Scientists Roundtable, themed “AI for Science,” where participants exchanged ideas on AI’s role in addressing global challenges, including climate resilience, food security, and digital governance. UTM’s representative underscored the importance of integrating AI into national strategies and highlighted Malaysia’s model as an example of how to align science and innovation with sustainable development goals. This session provided a dynamic platform for young researchers to share practical ideas and actionable solutions, fostering stronger ties across academic, governmental, and industrial efforts in the region.
Another key event was the opening of the Tengchong Remote Sensing Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to advance environmental monitoring, disaster response, and scientific research through cutting-edge satellite technologies. UTM’s participation in this milestone event reflects its interest in exploring collaborations in remote sensing and related technological advancements.
TSF 2024 also featured technical visits to Tengchong’s science and technology enterprises, where participants witnessed innovative applications of AI and other technologies. Cultural activities provided an opportunity for cross-cultural understanding, strengthening bonds among international attendees. These engagements aligned with UTM’s vision of connecting science with societal needs to create impactful, real-world solutions.
The forum concluded with renewed commitments to international scientific cooperation. UTM’s delegate emphasized the need for unified regional strategies to leverage AI as a tool for governance, sustainability, and innovation. This message resonated with participants, inspiring a shared vision of a future where AI-driven science leads to equitable and sustainable solutions for global challenges.
The Tengchong Scientists Forum 2024 showcased the importance of bridging nations, disciplines, and industries to address pressing global issues. UTM’s active involvement demonstrated Malaysia’s growing influence in the global scientific community and reaffirmed the power of partnerships in shaping a future defined by innovation and collaboration.