I am interested in the application of machine/deep learning for real world applications. Specificlaly, solving image/video processing and computer vision related problems.

Among research that has already been done:

1. Remote Sensing applications (e.g.  7, 8, 9)

2. Semantic image segmentation (e.g.: 1, 2, 3)

3. Moving object detection - and I'd like to believe we did a bit of tracking... :D (e.g.: 1, 2)

4. Image annotation (e.g.: 1, 2)

5. Manufacturing - Workpiece image/strip classification (e.g.: 1, 2, 3)

6. Food image analysis and classification (e.g.: 1, 2)

7. Sports video analysis and (event) retrieval (e.g.: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 [phd thesis])

On the sides, along with my co-researcher and dear friend Dr Cheah Wai Shiang from FCSIT, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), I also get involved with some Software Engineering writing involving agent-oriented methodology and other SE stuff.  

INQUIRIES (Postgraduate Supervision)

Inquiries regarding postgraduate supervision can be sent directly to my emails - alfian@upm.edu.my or alfian@ieee.org (or both!)

For research grant-based funding opportunities, please email me.

Please provide details of your academic background and qualifications, working experiences (if any), as well as research interests. You can also give me a ring at +60 3 8947 1798, or +60 12 557 9140. I'm normally available, God willing, from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm (UTC+08:00). However, I much prefer email than telephone.

CURRENT POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION (2026-...):

1. Jiang Chong – PhD (Main Supervisor) - Microscopy Minerals Detection, Segmentation and Analysis

2. Khalaf Abdulrahman Dira Khalaf – PhD (Co-supervisor) - Skin Cancer Segmentation 

3. Song Tianxia – PhD (Co-supervisor) - Transformer-based Multimodal Breast Cancer Prognosis 

4. Zhu Yi – PhD  (Co-supervisor) - [Topic pending approval from main supervisor]

GRADUATED POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS:

1. Md Saifullah Razali – PhD, graduated: 18 April 2024 (Main-supervisor)  - Figurative Language Detection Using Deep Learning and Contextual Features

2. Mohamed Marzhar bin Mohamed Anuar – Masters by Research, graduated: 8 June 2023 (Main supervisor) - Deep Learning Approach with Image Noise Reduction to Determine Planting Density and Defected Paddy Seedlings

3. Guo Liyong – PhD, graduated: 19 February 2026 (Co-supervisor) - Fine-grained Few-shot Image Classification using Vision Transformers / Spatial Multi-scale Feature Transformer Network

4. Mohd Firdaus bin Zahrin – PhD, graduated: 18 December 2025 (Co-supervisor) -  Malay Language Ambiguous Software Requirements Specification Detection using Machine Learning 

5. Almsaadi Jasem Rahman Malgheet – PhD, graduated: 12 June 2025 (Co-supervisor) - Iris Segmentation using Deep Learning in Unconstrained Environments

6. Idris Bashir – PhD, Graduated: 12 June 2025 (Co-supervisor) - Passive Copy-Move Forgery Detection in Digital Images Using Keypoint-Based Approach and Edge Texture Information

7. Malkawi Abeer Dirar Yousef – PhD, graduated: 18 April 2024 (Co-supervisor) - Assistive Technologies for People with Vision Impairment / Outdoor Mobility

8. Mohd Norhisham bin Razali @ Ghazali – PhD, graduated: 17 October 2019 (Co-supervisor) - Food Image Category Recognition using Local Features and Machine Learning 

9. Mohammed M. A. Ashour – PhD, graduated: 13 December 2018 (Co-supervisor) - Machine Vision for Workpiece Surface Texture Classification in Manufacturing

10. Baherah Kalantarghorashi Harandi – PhD, graduated: 8 February 2018 (Co-supervisor) - Remote Sensing, Object Detection and Geospatial AI

11. Alihossein Aryanfar – PhD, graduated: 18 August 2016 (Co-supervisor) - Shape-based multi-view human action recognition using distance-based-matrix-regardless-of-row-priority classifier

12. Mohsen Zand – PhD, graduated: 10 March 2016 (Co-supervisor) - Semantic Image Segmentation, Image Annotation and Context-based Scene Understanding

MASTER'S BY COURSEWORK RESEARCH PROJECT SUPERVISOR:

1. Zoya Shahcheraghi - Image and Video Filtering using Anisotropic Filters [Semester 1 2014/15];

2. Hoda Mohammadali Khani - Colour Image Steganography using Pixel Value Differencing [Semester 1 2013/14];

3. Meysam Rasouli - An Eye-Gaze Tracking Technique for Interactive Applications [Semester 1 2013/14];

4. Nazanin Manafi - A Soccer Video Summarization System based on Audio-visual Analysis and Ranking [Semester 2 2012/13];

5. Rasoul Banaeeyan - An Eye-gaze Recognition System based on 2D Geometry [Semester 2 2012/13]

UNDERGRADUATE PROJECT SUPERVISOR:

1. Pang Pui Yee & Rebecca Tong Chin Yee - Vehicle Counting for UPM Traffic [Semester 2 2014/25];

2. Ng Xuet Chin - Number Plate Inspection using Image Processing [Semester 2 2014/15];

3. Choo Gen Yao - License Plate Detection and Localization using MATLAB [Semester 2 2013/14];

4. Quek Phek Eim - License Plate Localization and Recognition using MATLAB [Semester 2 2013/14];

5. Seou Sin Yong - License Plate Localization and Recognition using MATLAB [Semester 2 2013/14];

6. Shazana Shah Lan and Tengku Nurhaizati Tengku Zaib - A Prototype System for Frames Extraction, Shot Boundary Detection and Semantic Shot Classification for video [Semester 2 2012/13];

7. Effamira Misran and Nur Syafika Yahya - Component-based Development of a Car Number Plate Recognition Prototype for FSKTM [Semester 2 2012/13];

8. Wong Chun Wee and Wong Yew Li - Awesome Adventure Island - Macromedia Director Game [2004/05];

9. Tew Hon Giap, Lim Chiam Leong and Ooi Loon Wei - A Virtual Walkthrough of FSKTM using Macromedia Director [2004/05];

10. Yong Tze Sin and Lim Siew Luan - 'Topic Missing' [2004/05];

11. Siew Bee Hwa - A Web-based Learning System [2004/05]

RESEARCH GRANTS:

1. Fundamental Research Grant scheme (MOE, Malaysia)

   • Research topic: Deep Transfer Learning-based Machine Vision Classification for Grading and Quality Categorization

   • Amount: RM99,800

   • Duration: 48-months (1 November 2020 – 30 April 2024) 

   • Researchers: Alfian Abdul Halin (Leader), [Team member names missing]

2. Fundamental Research Grant scheme (MOE, Malaysia)

   • Research topic: Effective Content-based Fish Species Image Retrieval based on Enhanced Zernike Moments-Local Directional Pattern

   • Amount: RM62,450

   • Duration: 36-months (1 August 2016 – 30 April 2019)

   • Researchers: Mas Rina Mustaffa (Leader), Alfian Abdul Halin, Shyamala A/P Doraisamy, Hizmawati Madzin.

3. Fundamental Research Grant scheme (MOE, Malaysia)

   • Research topic: Aesthetics Energy of Image Color-based Point of Regard Estimation for Distance Independent Non-Intrusive Eye Gaze Tracking

   • Amount: RM93,500

   • Duration: 36-months (1 December 2014 – 31 May 2018)

   • Researchers: Alfian Abdul Halin (Leader), M. Iqbal Saripan, Syhamala C. Doraisamy, Nursuriati Jamil, Mas Rina Mustaffa, Noridayu Manshor.

4. Fundamental Research Grant scheme (MOE, Malaysia)

   • Research topic: An ensemble of classifiers For Improving Multi-View Human Action Recognition

   • Amount: RM72,500

   • Duration: 24-months (1 December 2013 – 31 December 2015)

   • Researchers: Alihossein Aryanfar, Razali Yaakob (Leader), Alfian Abdul Halin, Khairul Azhar Kasmiran and Md. Nasir Sulaiman. 

5. Fundamental Research Grant scheme (MOE, Malaysia)

   • Research topic: Wavelet-Based Illumination-Invariant Ear Code Generator

   • Amount: RM88,700

   • Duration: 24-months (1 August 2013 – 31 July 2015)

   • Researchers: Nursuriati Jamil (leader – UiTM Shah Alam), Alfian Abdul Halin (Leader in UPM) and Nor Azura Md Ghani @ Mamat. 

6. Fundamental Research Grant scheme (MOE, Malaysia)

   • Research topic: Software behavioral-based Energy Consumption Model for Developing Energy Efficient Mobile Applications

   • Amount: RM84,000

   • Duration: 24-months (1 December 2013 – 30 November 2015)

   • Researchers: Koh Tieng Wei (Leader), Alfian Abdul Halin, Abdul Azim Abdul Ghani, Khaironi Yatim Sharif and Khairul Azhar Kasmiran. 

7. UPM Research University Grant scheme

   • Research topic: Emotion recognition from physiological signal using semi-supervised learning algorithm for data-driven facial expression modeling

   • Amount: RM15,000

   • Duration: 24-months (1 November 2012 – 31 October 2014)

   • Researchers: Heng Yu Ping, Lili Nurliyana Abdullah (Leader), Alfian Abdul Halin and Puteri Suhaiza Sulaiman. 

8. UPM Research University Grant scheme

   • Research Topic: Semantic Concepts Extraction from Sports Video

   • Amount: RM24,000

   • Duration: 24-months (1 November 2012 – 31 October 2014)

   • Researchers: Alfian Abdul Halin (Leader), Lili Nurliyana Abdullah, Nurfadhlina M. Sharef and Azrul Hazri Jantan. 

9. Agensi Inovasi Malaysia Grant (completed)

   • Research topic: Innovative solutions to reduce crashes between motorcycles and trucks

   • Amount: RM105,820

   • Duration: 12-months (1 January 2013 – 31 December 2013)

   • Researchers: Law Teik Hua (Leader), Alfian Abdul Halin and Hussain Hamid. 

10. UPM Research University Grant scheme (completed)

    • Research Topic: Classifier Fusion for Improving Classification of Object Class Recognition

    • Amount: RM28,000

    • Duration: 24-months (15 April 2011 – 14 March 2013)

    • Researchers: Noridayu Manshor (Leader), Alfian Abdul Halin, Raja Azlina Raja Mahmood and Lily Suriani Affendey. 

11. UPM Research University Grant scheme (completed)

    • Research Topic: Enhancing Video-on-demand Server using Solid State Disk (SSD)

    • Amount: RM30,000

    • Duration: 24-months (30 April 2011 – 31 March 2013)

    • Researchers: Amir Rizaan Rahiman (Leader), Alfian Abdul Halin and Noridayu Manshor.

12. USM Research University Postgraduate Research scheme (completed)

    • Research Topic: Sports Video Abstraction via Multi Modal Analysis – Using Textual Cues for Concept/Event Inference

    • Amount: RM10,100

    • Duration: 24-months (30 January 2009 – 29 January 2011)

    • Researcher: Alfian Abdul Halin (Leader), Mandava Rajeswari and Dhanesh Ramachandram

EDITORIALS/REVIEWS/ETC.:

Journals

1. Neural Computing and Applications - [Reviewer]

2. International Journal of Information Processing and Management - [Reviewer]

3. International Journal of Image Processing and Visual Communication - [Editor / Reviewer]

4. Journal of Convergence Information Technology - [Editor / Reviewer]

5. Malaysian Journal of Computer Science - [Reviewer]

Conferences / Symposiums

1. The 2013 Student Conference on Research & Development (SCOReD), 16 - 17 December 2013, Palm Garden Hotel, Putrajaya, Malaysia. [Reviewer]

2. The 2nd IEEE International Conference on Image Information Processing (IEEE, ICIIP 2013), 9 - 11 December 2013, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, INDIA. [Reviewer]

3. International Conference on Islamic Applications in Computer Science and Technologies (IMAN 2013), 1 - 2 July 2013, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [Reviewer]

4. Information Retrieval and Knowledge Management Seminar (IRKMS 2012), 12 – 13 December 2012, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [Reviewer]

5. 7th. International Conference on Computing and Convergence Technology, 2012. [Reviewer]

6. 4th. International Conference on Intelligent and Advanced Systems (ICIAS 2012) - 12 - 14 June 2012. [Reviewer]

7. International Conference of Information Retrieval and Knowledge Management (CAMP'12), Mines Wellness Hotel, Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia, 13 -15 March 2012. [Reviewer / Logistics Committee]

8. 4th. International Symposium on Information Technology (ITSim 2010). [Reviewer]