SPEECH TEXT: WELCOMING REMARKS : ASEAN-China Regional Cooperation & Development Forum 2026 (ACCD’26) 2-5 November 2026.

 

SPEAKER: PROF. DR. RIZA SULAIMAN

SPEECH TEXT: WELCOMING REMARKS

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Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

 

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, a very good morning, and a warm welcome to all.

 

Yang Berhormat / Yang Berbahagia Ministers and Distinguished Government Representatives,

 

Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen, Advisor of ACCD’26 and Former Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia,

 

Yang Berbahagia Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,

 

Distinguished Presidents, Vice-Chancellors, and Delegates from our partner universities especially our co-organising counterparts from Harbin University of Commerce and Harbin Normal University,

 

Dato’ Low Kok Thai, President of Malaysia-China Higher Education Exchange Association (PPTMC) and Co-Chair of ACCD’26,

 

On behalf of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and the entire organising committee, it gives me the greatest pleasure to welcome each and every one of you to our lush, green campus here in UKM for the ASEAN-China Regional Cooperation & Development Forum 2026 (ACCD’26).

 

To our distinguished delegates who have travelled thousands of miles across China, and to our close neighbours and colleagues from throughout the ASEAN community: Selamat Datang. Welcome to Malaysia, and welcome to UKM. Your presence here today is a powerful testament to our enduring friendship and shared commitment to regional progress.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

It is fitting that we gather within the halls of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, The National University of Malaysia.

 

Established in 1970 out of the aspirations of our people, UKM was founded on a noble premise: to be the guardian of national culture and intellectual advancement, while standing as a beacon of universal knowledge and progressive scholarship. Over more than five decades, UKM has evolved into one of the region’s premier research universities—consistently ranked among the top global institutions and serving as a vital engine for national capacity building.

 

UKM is not merely a place of academic instruction; it is a cradle of nation-building, social innovation, and international diplomacy. From our state-of-the-art research laboratories to our policy advisory initiatives with government and industry, our ethos has always remained grounded in serving society through knowledge that transforms lives.

 

As a research-intensive institution, we actively champion cross-border collaboration. We believe true academic excellence cannot exist behind closed doors. It thrives through dialogue, through the reciprocal exchange of students and scholars, and through strategic alliances that connect local talent with global frontiers. Hosting ACCD’26 is an embodiment of that very commitment.

 

Distinguished guests,

 

Representing the Institute of Visual Informatics (IVI-UKM) alongside my role as Chairman of this forum, I take immense pride in how our research institutes bridge the gap between discovery and application.

 

At IVI, our mandate focuses on advancing visual informatics, data analytics, and intelligent systems to solve multi-dimensional challenges in healthcare, industry, cultural heritage, and smart governance. But technology and informatics are fundamentally human endeavours. Our central goal has always been to transform complex knowledge into clear, accessible, and meaningful tools that uplift communities.

 

Institutes across UKM whether in visual informatics, fuel cell research, ethnic studies, climate change, or economics share this common thread: relevance and impact.

 

We recognize that the grand challenges of our era: economic resilience, digital transformation, environmental sustainability, and talent development are cross-border in nature. No single nation or solitary institution can resolve them alone.

 

By bringing together leading minds from across China and ASEAN here on our campus, UKM reaffirms its role as an intellectual conduit a collaborative platform where ideas are nurtured, tested, and elevated into regional solutions.

 

Honoured delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

 

The bond between ASEAN and China is vast, multifaceted, and deeply rooted in history. It spans trade, culture, science, and shared regional aspirations. In an interconnected world navigating rapid transitions, higher education institutions must serve as the intellectual anchor of this relationship.

 

Universities carry the unique privilege of building long-term bridges. Where commerce and politics may fluctuate with global tides, academic and institutional partnerships endure.

 

Through initiatives such as this forum, we lay the foundations for lasting ties:

 

●     Fostering joint research initiatives that tackle shared regional priorities;

●     Expanding student and faculty mobility that broadens intercultural understanding; and

●     Cultivating a shared space where academic research actively informs industry practices and government policy.

●     We are immensely proud to partner with our respected colleagues from Harbin University of Commerce, Harbin Normal University, and the Malaysia-China Higher Education Exchange Association. This forum represents higher education collaboration at its finest open, forward-looking, and driven by mutual respect.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

While our subsequent distinguished speakers and officials will delve deeply into the exciting sessions, roundtables, and specialized agendas lined up over the coming days, my foremost wish today is for you to feel entirely at home at UKM.

 

Take this time to engage in open dialogue, reconnect with long-standing colleagues, and initiate new friendships. Walk our campus grounds, experience Malaysian hospitality, and discover the vibrant academic community that defines Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

 

On behalf of the organizing committee, I extend our heartfelt appreciation to our partners, government agencies, supporting associations, and our dedicated team of staff and student volunteers whose hard work made this gathering possible.

 

Once again, welcome to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, welcome to ACCD’26, and I wish you all a deeply memorable and productive gathering.

 

Wabillahi Taufiq Walhidayah, Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

 

Thank you very much, and Xie-Xie.

Pencapaian 30 Tahun Prof. Ir. Dr. Riza Sulaiman di UKM

 

Pencapaian 30 Tahun Prof. Ir. Dr. Riza Sulaiman di UKM

Prof. Ir. Dr. Riza Sulaiman merupakan antara ahli akademik UKM yang telah menabur bakti selama tiga dekad dalam bidang kejuruteraan, teknologi maklumat, visualisasi, reka bentuk berbantukan komputer (CAD), pembuatan berbantukan komputer (CAM), robotik, pemprosesan imej dan informatika visual. Beliau memulakan kerjaya di Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) pada tahun 1996 sebagai Tutor, sebelum dilantik sebagai Pensyarah pada 1997, Pensyarah Kanan pada 1999, Profesor Madya pada 2006 dan Profesor pada 2008. rizasulaiman.blogspot.com

1. Perkhidmatan akademik selama 30 tahun

Sepanjang tempoh 30 tahun di UKM, Prof. Ir. Dr. Riza Sulaiman telah melalui pelbagai peringkat kerjaya akademik sehingga mencapai jawatan Profesor. Perjalanan ini mencerminkan pengalaman yang panjang dalam pengajaran, penyelidikan, penyeliaan siswazah dan pengurusan akademik.

Antara jawatan akademik dan pentadbiran yang pernah disandang termasuk:

• Tutor UKM (1996–1997)
• Pensyarah UKM (1997–1999)
• Pensyarah Kanan UKM (1999–2006)
• Ketua Jabatan di Fakulti Teknologi dan Sains Maklumat (FTSM)
• Profesor Madya UKM (2006–2008)
• Pengerusi Pusat di FTSM
• Profesor UKM sejak 2008
• Timbalan Pengarah Pusat Siswazah UKM
• Penyelaras Siswazah di Institut Informatik Visual (IVI)
• Felo Penyelidik Kanan IVI. rizasulaiman.blogspot.com

2. Sumbangan dalam bidang penyelidikan dan inovasi

Bidang kepakaran Prof. Ir. Dr. Riza Sulaiman merangkumi CAD/CAM, visualisasi, robotik, pemprosesan imej, simulasi, automasi, computer-integrated manufacturing, medical imaging dan teknologi berkaitan industri. UKM turut merekodkan beliau sebagai Profesor dan Felo Penyelidik Kanan dalam bidang CADCAM dan visualisasi. ivi.ukm.my

Antara bidang penyelidikan yang beliau bangunkan sepanjang kerjaya termasuk:

• Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
• Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
• Industrial Computing
• Visualisasi dan grafik komputer
• Robotik dan robotic vision
• Medical imaging
• Automasi dan simulasi
• Pemprosesan imej
• Teknologi keselamatan dan sensor
• Smart farming
• Teknologi kenderaan dan aplikasi kejuruteraan.

Sumbangan ini turut diterjemahkan melalui projek penyelidikan yang mendapat pembiayaan, termasuk projek berkaitan visualisasi masa nyata imej perubatan, Global Information System for Malaysian SMEs (GISSME) dan Industrial Computing Research Group. Rekod yang diterbitkan oleh beliau menyenaraikan pembiayaan masing-masing sekitar RM50,000, RM500,000 dan RM97,000 bagi projek-projek tersebut. rizasulaiman.blogspot.com

3. Membina bidang Industrial Computing di UKM

Salah satu sumbangan yang menarik dalam rekod beliau ialah penglibatan dalam Industrial Computing Research Group di FTSM UKM.

Kumpulan penyelidikan ini memberi tumpuan kepada penggunaan teknologi maklumat dalam industri pembuatan serta industrial modelling, visualisation and simulation. Matlamatnya termasuk membangunkan penyelidikan lanjutan, menyokong industri serta melahirkan penyelidik yang mempunyai kepakaran dalam aplikasi pengkomputeran industri. rizasulaiman.blogspot.com

Kumpulan tersebut juga menghasilkan penerbitan buku berkaitan hasil penyelidikan, termasuk penerbitan pada tahun 2001 dan 2007. rizasulaiman.blogspot.com

4. Sumbangan melalui penerbitan ilmiah

Prof. Ir. Dr. Riza Sulaiman mempunyai rekod penerbitan yang luas dalam bidang berkaitan visualisasi, CAD/CAM, grafik, robotik dan teknologi maklumat. Profil penyelidikan yang tersedia merekodkan 193 penerbitan dan lebih 1,400 sitasi, walaupun angka bibliometrik tersebut boleh berubah mengikut pangkalan data dan masa semakan. ResearchGate

Antara contoh bidang penerbitan beliau ialah sistem pengesahan menggunakan finger-vein, kawalan akses pintar, visualisasi objek 3D dan aplikasi teknologi untuk pelbagai bidang. UKM juga merekodkan penerbitan beliau bersama penyelidik lain dalam bidang seperti aplikasi pembelajaran Braille dan sistem kriptografi untuk objek 3D. ivi.ukm.my

5. Menghasilkan buku dan bahan pengajaran

Sumbangan beliau bukan hanya melalui jurnal dan projek penyelidikan, malah turut meliputi penerbitan buku untuk pendidikan tinggi.

Antara buku yang direkodkan ialah:

• Mengenali Rekabentuk Berbantukan Komputer (2000)
• Rekabentuk Berbantu Komputer (2004)
• Asas Pembuatan Berbantukan Komputer (2012). rizasulaiman.blogspot.com

Bahan-bahan ini memperlihatkan usaha beliau dalam menyokong pengajaran dan pembelajaran bidang CAD/CAM serta membangunkan sumber ilmu dalam bahasa Melayu dan konteks pendidikan tinggi tempatan.

6. Penyeliaan dan pembangunan generasi penyelidik

Satu lagi sumbangan penting sepanjang perkhidmatan beliau ialah pembangunan modal insan melalui penyeliaan pelajar pascasiswazah.

Rekod yang diterbitkan oleh beliau menyenaraikan sejumlah pelajar PhD dan sarjana yang telah berjaya menamatkan pengajian di bawah penyeliaan beliau, termasuk penyelidikan dalam bidang komputer, visualisasi, keselamatan, robotik dan teknologi berkaitan. rizasulaiman.blogspot.com

Sumbangan sebegini penting kerana kesan seorang ahli akademik tidak hanya diukur melalui penerbitan atau projek, tetapi juga melalui generasi penyelidik dan graduan yang dilahirkan sepanjang perkhidmatannya.

7. Sumbangan dalam pengurusan dan kepimpinan UKM

Prof. Ir. Dr. Riza Sulaiman juga mempunyai pengalaman luas dalam pengurusan akademik. Beliau pernah memegang tanggungjawab sebagai Ketua Jabatan, Pengerusi Pusat, Timbalan Pengarah Pusat Siswazah dan Timbalan Pengarah Institut Informatik Visual. rizasulaiman.blogspot.com+1

Pada 15 Ogos 2018 hingga 31 Oktober 2019, beliau berkhidmat sebagai Timbalan Pengarah Institute of Visual Informatics (IVI). ivi.ukm.my

Lebih terkini, rekod rasmi IVI menunjukkan beliau dilantik sebagai Pengarah Institut Informatik Visual (IVI) mulai 22 September 2025. ivi.ukm.my

Dalam kapasiti tersebut, beliau turut terlibat dalam usaha memperkukuh hubungan universiti dengan industri serta menjadikan penyelidikan dan inovasi lebih berimpak kepada masyarakat.

8. Memperkukuh hubungan universiti–industri

Pengalaman awal beliau sebagai jurutera dalam sektor swasta sebelum menyertai UKM turut memberikan perspektif industri kepada kerjaya akademiknya. Rekod biografi beliau menyatakan pengalaman sebagai jurutera syarikat swasta sebelum memulakan kerjaya akademik di UKM. BEEI

Gabungan pengalaman industri dan akademik ini menjadi asas kepada penglibatan beliau dalam bidang industrial computing, manufacturing technology, CAD/CAM, automasi dan teknologi visualisasi.

Dalam peranan semasa di IVI, beliau juga disenaraikan dalam bidang Industry Engagement and Income Generation, yang menunjukkan kesinambungan usaha menghubungkan kepakaran UKM dengan keperluan industri. ivi.ukm.my

9. Memperkembangkan bidang Informatika Visual di UKM

Prof. Ir. Dr. Riza Sulaiman merupakan sebahagian daripada perkembangan ekosistem penyelidikan informatika visual UKM. Kepakaran beliau dalam visualisation dan CADCAM menjadi antara komponen penting dalam bidang penyelidikan institut tersebut. ivi.ukm.my

Pada peringkat lebih baharu, beliau turut terlibat dalam bidang teknologi frontier seperti AI dan aplikasi visualisasi. Pada 2026, beliau sebagai Pengarah IVI terlibat dalam pelancaran UKM Global Impact Challenge 2026, sebuah inisiatif yang bertujuan membantu pelajar universiti mengubah idea inovatif kepada penyelesaian yang memberi manfaat kepada masyarakat. UKM

Kesimpulan

Jika dirumuskan, 30 tahun perkhidmatan Prof. Ir. Dr. Riza Sulaiman di UKM bukan sekadar tempoh perkhidmatan yang panjang, tetapi merupakan perjalanan daripada seorang tutor kepada Profesor dan pemimpin institusi, disertai sumbangan dalam pengajaran, penyelidikan, penerbitan, penyeliaan pascasiswazah, pembangunan teknologi, pengurusan akademik serta hubungan universiti–industri.

Daripada kerjaya sebagai Tutor pada tahun 1996, beliau berkembang menjadi Pensyarah, Pensyarah Kanan, Profesor Madya dan akhirnya Profesor. Sepanjang perjalanan tersebut, beliau menyumbang kepada pembangunan bidang CAD/CAM, pengkomputeran industri, visualisasi, robotik, pemprosesan imej dan informatika visual, di samping membimbing pelajar dan penyelidik serta memegang pelbagai amanah pengurusan di UKM. rizasulaiman.blogspot.com+1

Tiga dekad ini boleh dirumuskan sebagai 30 tahun ilmu, penyelidikan, kepimpinan dan pembangunan insan di Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Chulin Kvass Brand Launch, Agency Briefing & Signing Ceremony

 

Speech by the Director

Institute of Visual Informatics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Chulin Kvass Brand Launch, Agency Briefing & Signing Ceremony

29 September 2026

 

v  Distinguished representatives of Harbin University of Commerce,
Distinguished representatives of Harbin Chulin Beverage Technology Co., Ltd.,
colleagues from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,
our academic and industry partners,
distinguished guests,
ladies and gentlemen,

 

Good morning and a very warm welcome to all of you.

It is my great pleasure and honour, on behalf of the Institute of Visual Informatics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, to welcome our distinguished guests from China and Malaysia to this special occasion.

Today is a meaningful day for all of us.

We are here to celebrate the introduction of Chulin Kvass, to explore opportunities for cooperation, and most importantly, the signing of a Letter of Intent for Cooperation between Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia through the Institute of Visual Informatics, Harbin University of Commerce, and Harbin Chulin Beverage Technology Co., Ltd.

For me, today's event represents much more than a signing ceremony.

It represents a meeting of heritage, knowledge, technology and entrepreneurship.

It represents a bridge between Malaysia and China.

And it represents our shared aspiration to transform cooperation into meaningful outcomes for research, industry and society.

The future of industry is changing rapidly.

Technology is transforming the way products are developed, manufactured, distributed and marketed.

Artificial intelligence, data analytics, digitalisation, smart manufacturing and intelligent supply chains are increasingly becoming important components of modern industry.

Therefore, the challenge before us is not simply how to preserve traditional products and traditional knowledge.

The challenge is how we can combine tradition with innovation.

 

The Role of the University

At the Institute of Visual Informatics, we believe strongly in the importance of university–industry collaboration.

Universities have knowledge, researchers, students, laboratories and intellectual capabilities.

Industry has practical experience, production capabilities, market knowledge and real-world challenges.

When these two worlds come together, research becomes more relevant, and industrial challenges can become opportunities for innovation.

This is why I am particularly pleased with the areas of cooperation identified in our Letter of Intent.

 

From Research to Application

Our cooperation also provides opportunities for joint research in areas such as smart food, food technology and functional halal beverages.

This is an important direction because the food and beverage sector sits at the intersection of science, technology, health, manufacturing, consumer behaviour and international trade.

There are many questions that can be explored through collaboration.

How can smart technologies improve production processes?

How can digital systems support quality control?

How can data help us better understand consumer preferences?

How can research support product development and innovation?

And how can Malaysian and Chinese researchers jointly develop solutions that are relevant not only to our two countries, but also to the wider ASEAN market?

These are practical questions.

And practical questions require practical partnerships.

 

 

Developing People

However, ladies and gentlemen, I believe that the most important outcome of today's cooperation will not necessarily be a product, a technology or even a research paper.

It will be people.

People are at the centre of innovation.

Therefore, I hope this partnership will create opportunities for our researchers, academic staff and students to work together.

We can organise seminars, academic exchanges and industry forums.

We can develop joint research projects.

We can explore international research funding.

We can provide students with opportunities to gain international experience.

And we can expose young researchers to real industrial challenges.

Through these activities, we can develop a new generation of graduates and researchers who understand both technology and industry, research and application, Malaysia and China.

That, in my view, is one of the most valuable investments that we can make together.

 

Today's Letter of Intent

The Letter of Intent that we will sign today provides a foundation for this journey.

It establishes our shared intention to cooperate in research, technology, industry, market development, academic exchange and resource sharing.

But I would like to emphasise one important point:

The signing today is not the destination. It is the beginning.

The true success of this cooperation will be measured by what happens after today's ceremony.

 

We are using a product and its heritage as an opportunity to build a bridge between people, institutions and countries.

A bridge between Harbin and Malaysia.

A bridge between academia and industry.

A bridge between traditional knowledge and modern technology.

And a bridge between research and real-world application.

 

Closing

Distinguished guests,

On behalf of the Institute of Visual Informatics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Harbin University of Commerce and Harbin Chulin Beverage Technology Co., Ltd. for your confidence, friendship and commitment to this collaboration.

We look forward to working closely with you in the years ahead.

Let us build a partnership based on knowledge, trust, innovation and mutual benefit.

Today, we have an opportunity to help shape the next chapter — one that combines heritage with innovation, research with industry, and Malaysia with China.

So, as we celebrate this occasion today, let us remember:

A century of heritage has brought us here.
Innovation will take us forward.
And cooperation will take us there together.

 

Thank you very much.

 

Speech by the Director of IVI - CAIS 2026

 WELCOMING SPEECH

2026 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Simulation (CAIS 2026)

28–30 September 2026 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Distinguished Guests, Esteemed Keynote Speakers, Distinguished Researchers and Academicians, Industry Professionals, Members of the Organising and Technical Committees, Ladies and Gentlemen,

A very warm welcome to the 2026 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Simulation – CAIS 2026.

It is my great pleasure and honour to welcome all of you to this important international gathering, here in Malaysia, and particularly to the Institute of Visual Informatics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

To our distinguished international participants, I would like to extend a special welcome. We are delighted that you have travelled from different countries and institutions to join us. Your presence truly reflects the international spirit of this conference and strengthens the opportunity for meaningful academic and professional exchange.

CAIS 2026 provides an important platform for researchers, engineers, academicians and industry practitioners to come together to share knowledge, exchange ideas and explore new possibilities in the rapidly evolving fields of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation.

The theme and scope of this conference are particularly timely. Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way we work, learn, make decisions and develop technological solutions, while simulation provides powerful approaches for modelling, testing, predicting and understanding complex systems.

The convergence of these two areas opens exciting opportunities.

CAIS 2026 therefore provides an excellent environment for discussing both fundamental research and practical applications. The conference programme encompasses a broad range of areas, including the foundations of AI and machine intelligence, applied AI and domain solutions, intelligent simulation and digital twins, robotics, virtual and mixed reality, human-computer interaction, visual informatics and knowledge engineering.

I believe that the true value of an international conference goes beyond the presentation of research papers.

A conference such as CAIS 2026 creates opportunities to meet new colleagues, establish research collaborations, exchange perspectives across disciplines, inspire new research questions and transform ideas into meaningful innovations.

In particular, I hope that our discussions during these three days will encourage collaboration between academia and industry. Many of the challenges facing society today are complex and cannot be addressed by a single discipline or institution. They require researchers, practitioners and technology developers to work together and combine their knowledge and expertise.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and express my sincere appreciation to the conference chairs, general co-chairs, technical programme committee, publication committee, organising committee, reviewers, keynote speakers and all members of the supporting teams.

Organising an international academic conference requires tremendous effort, commitment and cooperation. Your contributions have made this gathering possible, and we are sincerely grateful for your dedication.

To all presenters, I encourage you to share your research openly and enthusiastically. I hope you will not only present your findings, but also take the opportunity to listen to different perspectives, engage in constructive discussions and identify possibilities for future collaboration.

To all participants, I encourage you to make full use of this opportunity. Ask questions. Share ideas. Meet researchers outside your immediate area of expertise. Sometimes, the most valuable outcome of a conference is an unexpected conversation that leads to a new idea, a new collaboration or even a new direction in research.

With these opportunities also come important responsibilities. As researchers and technology professionals, we must ensure that innovation is accompanied by responsibility, integrity, transparency and respect for society. Scientific progress should ultimately contribute to improving lives and addressing real-world challenges.

I hope CAIS 2026 will therefore be more than a conference for presenting research. I hope it will be a place where ideas meet people, research meets application, and collaboration leads to innovation.

Finally, on behalf of the organising committee and the host institution, I would like to once again extend our warmest welcome to all participants of CAIS 2026.

May the next three days be filled with stimulating presentations, meaningful discussions, new friendships and fruitful collaborations.

Once again, welcome to CAIS 2026, welcome to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and welcome to Malaysia.

I wish everyone a very successful and memorable conference.

 

Thank you, and I wish you all a very pleasant day.

 

 

Prof. Dr. Riza Sulaiman

Director

Institute of Visual Informatics (IVI)

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

28 September 2026