JOHOR BAHRU, Sep 3 – The 2nd Malaysia–Japan Symposium on Mathematical and Statistical Modelling (MJSMSM 2026) was held on 3 September 2026 at Pulai Springs Resort, Johor Bahru, bringing together researchers, academics, industry representatives and students from Malaysia and Japan to exchange ideas and explore opportunities in mathematical and statistical modelling.

Carrying the theme “Mathematical and Computational Intelligence for Industrial Systems,” the symposium was organised as a special feature of ISMI 2026 through collaboration between Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and the Institute of Mathematics for Industry (IMI), Kyushu University. The programme was supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) NEXUS Exchange Programme.

The symposium began with welcoming remarks by the Director of UTM-Centre for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (UTM-CIAM), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arifah Bahar, followed by opening remarks by the Assistant Director of IMI, Kyushu University, Dr. Fumikazu Sato. The opening session featured student team presentations from UTM and Kyushu University, providing a platform for young researchers to share their work and engage with peers.

Representing UTM, the student team comprised Ang Chin Xiang, Aina Nuha Che Mahadzir and Fatanah Hamzah, while the Kyushu University team comprised Haruka Suga, Taiga Kadowaki, Yoshimichi Hayashi and Go Hashimoto. Their participation highlighted the role of student exchange and researcher engagement in strengthening Malaysia–Japan networks.

The symposium featured a keynote lecture by Prof. Dr. Normah Maan titled “Mathematical Foundations of AI for Precision Oncology: A Delay-Fuzzy Control Framework for Tumour–Immune–Metabolic Dynamics.” Invited presentations covered areas including mathematical modelling and artificial intelligence (AI) for materials design and chemical innovation by Prof. Dr. Pierluigi Cesana, video analytics and generative AI by Dr. Jianquan Liu, quantum machine learning for hybrid anomaly detection in cyber-financial systems by Emeritus Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohamed Ridza Wahiddin, and mathematical modelling of formation, adaptation and repair in networks by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atsushi Tero.

The participation of Prof. Dr. Pierluigi Cesana and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atsushi Tero from IMI, Kyushu University, further strengthened academic exchange between UTM and Kyushu University through researcher visits, student participation and collaborative research.

MJSMSM 2026 highlighted the importance of developing the Malaysia–Japan partnership towards long-term research collaboration, joint projects, publications and proposals, with emerging areas including mathematical modelling, stochastic processes, optimisation, AI-assisted modelling and quantum mathematics. The symposium also featured industry and research organisations, including MIMOS Berhad and NEC Laboratories Asia Pacific (NLAP). In his closing remarks, the Chair of MJSMSM 2026 expressed appreciation to Emeritus Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohamed Ridza Wahiddin of MIMOS Berhad and Dr. Jianquan Liu of NLAP for their contributions and highlighted the importance of connecting academic research with industry.

The programme concluded with summary sessions delivered by Prof. Dr. Duy Hien Nguyen of IMI, Kyushu University and Dr. Ahmad Qushairi Mohamad of UTM, followed by the closing ceremony and refreshment session. The event strengthened people-to-people connections through research visits, student exchanges and cultural engagement between Malaysia and Japan.

The organisation of MJSMSM 2026 reflects UTM’s commitment to international academic collaboration and provides a platform for research connections between Malaysia and Japan.

Prepared by: Dr. Ahmad Qushairi Mohamad and Dr. Siti Rohani Mohd Nor