Introduction to HCCTD (Human-Centered Culturally Technology Design)

Welcome to the Human-Centered Culturally Technology Design (HCCTD) research group. Established in 2015 as SIG Educational Usability Testing, the group was rebranded in 2023 to reflect its expanded research focus on usability engineering, human-computer interaction (HCI), and culturally adaptive technology. HCCTD draws inspiration from the first Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) course introduced by the founding Dean, Professor Dr. Haji Mohamad Ibrahim, during the establishment of Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) in 1998. This legacy of academic excellence continues to drive HCCTD’s mission to advance HCI and usability research in education and digital technologies.

The group has steadily grown in its impact, including launching the first Master of Human-Computer Interaction program in 2018. In 2021, HCCTD received a national research grant from the Ministry of Higher Education (Research Excellence Consortium grant) worth RM 137,200 for a two-year research project on Educational Usability Testing. This project is conducted in collaboration with USIM and UUM under the Research Consortium for Creative Industry and Culture. Currently, HCCTD is led by Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Shamsul Arrieya Ariffin also serves as the Deputy Director of the Malay Civilization Institute.

Operating under the Faculty of Computing and Meta-Technology at UPSI, HCCTD aspires to be a leading research hub dedicated to improving digital learning technologies, UX design, and usability testing for education and cultural technologies. Our mission is to bridge the gap between technology, culture, and human needs through cutting-edge research, innovative educational solutions, and strategic global collaborations.

HCCTD aims to drive innovation in culturally inclusive technology. It plays a crucial role in shaping Malaysia’s digital transformation goals, supports RMK 13, and aligns with UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which focuses on inclusive and equitable quality education.

Join us in our journey to create functional, user-friendly technology that respects and integrates cultural identities, fostering an inclusive digital learning ecosystem. Explore our research initiatives, professional development opportunities, and thought leadership as HCCTD leads next-generation usability, HCI, and culturally adaptive digital solutions in Malaysia and beyond.