JOHOR BAHRU – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) hosted the Biomedical Postgraduate Symposium on 14 August 2024; an event that gathered postgraduate and undergraduate researchers to present their innovative projects. Held at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE), UTM Johor Bahru, this symposium featured a blend of insightful presentations and collaborative discussions, emphasizing the intersection of academia and industry in the biomedical field.
The symposium began with opening remarks, setting the tone for a day filled with high-caliber research presentations. Among the highlights were the presentations by postgraduate students from UTM, who showcased their advanced studies, including topics such as the “Efficient Switching of Electrical Discharge Machining Current Pulse Power Generator for Optimum Material Removal Rate” by Bentanya Nugroho and “Modified SMWT for the Heart Functional Capacity Classification” by Siti Nohayati Binti Md Yassin. The symposium also featured projects such as “Optimization of Caffeine-Intake Variables Based on Physiological Indicators for Cognitive Function Using Response Surface Methodology” by Raymond Teoh Yong Sheng, which was delivered online, and “Balance Skill Assessment Using Electronic Wobble Board” by certified physiotherapist, Yvonne Khor Yee Woon, who is also pursuing her PhD studies.
A unique feature of this year’s symposium was the participation of undergraduate students from Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII), who were invited to present their Capstone projects. UII is a national private university in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The students’ Capstone projects were under the joint supervision of UTM and UII faculty members. The project “Portable Text Scanner for The Visually Impaired Person Gen. 2” by Reynald Bagas Herdiansyah and Idelia Khansa El Faradiba, has won awards in Indonesia and was featured in their local news. Other projects such as “Smart Dispenser Box” by Izzat Muhammad Alfaniza and Muhammad Syafiq, “Wound Depth Measurement System in Forensic Case Using Image Processing and Machine Learning” by Kern Caesarean Ahnaf and the “Monus: Patient Infusion Monitoring System from the Nurse’s Room Based on the Internet of Things” by Wafiq Muthoharoh Islami, were particularly well-received, highlighting the success of international collaboration in education and research.
The symposium concluded with closing remarks and a group photo, symbolizing the unity and collaborative spirit fostered through this event. The exchange of ideas and expertise during the symposium underscored the importance of academic collaboration across borders, paving the way for future joint research initiatives between UTM and UII. The undergraduates from UII also managed to participate in various academic activities in UTM and explore places of interests in Johor Bahru, bringing home wonderful memories of their first trip to Malaysia.
Reported by:
Mohd Anuar Md Ali, Nurul Ashikin Abdul Kadir, Eileen Su Lee Ming, Nasrul Humaimi Mahmood
Biomedical and Medical Electronics Research Group (bMIE)