Group News

Congratulations to PhD student, Azim on receiving the 2025 Distinguished Publication Award from the Faculty of Science and Technology, UKM.

Congratulations to Master's degree graduates, Aimi and Ainun Augustine for completing their studies at the 53rd National University of Malaysia Convocation Ceremony!

PhD student at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Muhammad NurAzim Bin Rosli, represented College 13 UKM in SUKEM 2025 which took place from 3 November 2025 at UKM. The College 13 contingent successfully won a bronze medal, proving the high fighting spirit and ability of UKM athletes in university-level competitions.

PhD student Muhammad NurAzim Bin Rosli represented Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) at the Varsity Boules Championship (VBC) 2025, held from 26 to 29 August 2025 at Daiman Bowl, Johor Bahru. The UKM contingent proudly secured one gold medal and one bronze medal, showcasing the determination, skill, and competitive spirit of UKM athletes at the national level. 

The Space Ranger Camp: A Day in the Cosmos, organized by the UKM Astrophysics Group on 9 and 16 August 2025, successfully attracted 159 participants at the Department of Applied Physics building, UKM. Interactive workshops such as Journey into the Cosmos and Alien Hunting enhanced participants’ knowledge of space science, particularly among the younger generation.

Sincere appreciation is extended to the lecturers, the Department and Faculty, facilitators, and all who contributed to the success of this program, which served as an inspiring platform for learning and cosmic exploration for the community.

Congratulations to Dr. Adlyka on receiving the Johor Women’s Inspiration Pesona Award 2025, in conjunction with the Johor Women's Day celebration organized by the Yayasan Pembangunan Keluarga Darul Ta'zim (YPKDT). The award was presented by Yang Amat Mulia Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Johor and Datin Sharmin Fazlina, Wife of the Johor's Chief Minister.Read more. 

Congratulations to Dr. Adlyka and team for winning the Silver Medal at Hari Penyelidikan & Inovasi (HAPI) 2025!

🎉 Congratulations to Ainun on Passing Her Master’s Viva with Flying Colors! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce that Ainun Wardini Agustine, one of our dedicated Master’s students, has passed her oral (viva) examination with only minor corrections! Ainun’s research focuses on the exciting detection of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) within the RBGS catalogue using advanced multiwavelength techniques.  

Congratulations and best wishes to Muhammad Nurazim Rosli, a Postgraduate Student (PhD) who will be undertaking a research attachment at the Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy, Durham University, United Kingdom, sponsored by the MyBrainSc Scholarship, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, from May 19 to July 18, 2025!

Article in conjunction with International Women's Day, about the career journey of Dr. Adlyka in the field of astronomy. The article tells about his journey leading a group of researchers in the discovery of a hidden supermassive black hole, in addition, Dr. Adlyka was awarded the Merdeka Award for Outstanding Contribution in Science, Technology & Innovation.  The article also emphasizes how Dr Adlyka's career continues to be an inspiration to women in Malaysia to advance in the STEM field. Read more.

One of our members, Sarah Yassir (Master’s student), has been awarded the COSPAR Capacity Building Fellowship. Sarah will join the Centre of Astrobiology, the National Institute for Aerospace Technology in Madrid, Spain, next year to advance her collaborative research with Prof. Luis Colina and Dr. Javier Álvarez-Márquez. This fellowship builds on the groundwork laid during the James Webb Space Telescope Workshop held in Chiang Mai, which she attended last June. Congrats!

Congratulations to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Zahra Yousef for graduating! She graduated during the 52nd Convocation Ceremony of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia which was officiated by His Majesty the Grand Ruler of Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus, Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Congratulations to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Pavithra Mohanadas for graduating on time (GOT)! She graduated in the Chancellor's Session during the 52nd Convocation Ceremony of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia which was officiated by His Majesty the Grand Ruler of Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus, Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Congratulations to Master's student, Aimi  Azizan, who passed her oral (viva) test with minor corrections! 🎉   Her research is on the flare and quiescent state of Sagittarius A* from 1999 - 2019 using Chandra Telescope.

Congratulations to Anis Maisarah Yassir Azlin (Master's student) and Muhammad Nurazim Rosli (PHD candidate) for winning the Popular Presenter Award for Session 2 and Session 4 of PISCON 2024.

Congratulations to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student, Pavithra Mohanadas, who passed her oral (viva) test with minor corrections! 🎉   Her research is about low luminosity active galactic nuclei detected by the Swift-BAT Telescope.

Congratulations to Aimi Azizan (Master) for having passed the First Screening for the 2025 Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship (Research Students through Embassy Recommendation) conducted by the Embassy of Japan (Consulate General of Japan) in Malaysia!

Congratulations to Anis Maisarah Yassir Azlin (Master) for have been selected to participate in the JWST Data Analysis and Processing Workshop (South East Asia), 24 June—5 July 2024!

Congratulations to Ainun (Master) for winning a Bresser NANO AR-70/700 AZ Telescope in the 100 Hours of Astronomy Art Competition 2023 held by the  IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO) which took place on 1st to 4th October 2023! The artwork by ainun is painted using gouache paint, consisting of 3 panels showcasing the perspective of astronaut in space and the landscape view of earth.

Congratulations to Pavithra Mohanadas (PhD) for being selected to participate in International School for Regional Young Astronomers 2023 which will take place in Kunming, China on 5 to 20 December 2023!

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA - Master) Vacancy.
More information and application form: https://shorturl.at/uyCQ1 (or scan the QR code below).
Apply by 10th October 2023.

View of the Moon on top of Physics UKM yesterday night. Credit: NurAzim (PhD)

Articles regarding Dr. Adlyka's commendable research attachment under the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment 2021 at the prestigious Center for Extragalactic Astronomy, Durham University UK, and the renowned California Institute of Technology USA from December 2022 to March 2023. Read more. 

Congratulations to NurAzim (PhD) and Ainun (Master) for being selected to participate in NARIT's ASTRO101: Hands-On Workshop on Optical Astronomy Research (HOW on OAR 2023) which will take place in Chiangmai, Thailand on 28 to 31 August 2023!

Congratulations to PhD student, Zahra, for passing her viva (with corrections)! Her thesis is on the study of nearby multiple stellar systems (system with more than one stars orbiting each other). Check out her latest paper published ~2 months ago in The Astronomical Journal:  iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/acd11b 

Welcome Lizzy to our research group as an intern for 2 months !

Press release about Dr. Adlyka answering questions about future opportunities in astronomy. Read more 

Here are some photos and video from Dr. Adlyka's research attachment at the Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy, Durham University UK and California Institute of Technology USA between December 2022 - March 2023 under the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment 2021 program. 

Congratulations to Masters students under the supervision of DrAdlyka - Ezzat and Nabilah for graduating on 29 November!

Congratulations! Dr. Adlyka Annuar has been selected as one of the recipients for the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment 2021. The award was presented by HRH Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, accompanied by representatives from the founding members of the Merdeka Award Trust - PETRONAS, Shell and ExxonMobil. 

Dr. Adlyka Annuar has been selected as the winner for the Women of the Future Award South East Asia 2021 for the Science, Technology & Digital category! 

In conjunction with the World Space Week 2021 (4 - 10th October), we bring to you a sneak peak to Dr. Adlyka's research group at UKM. The theme for this year is Women in Space to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of women to the space sector and sciences. Happy World Space Week!

Dr. Adlyka has been shortlisted for the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment 2021! If successful, she'll be doing her research attachment at two prestigious institutions in the US.

Here are some breathtaking images of astronomical objects produced by Dr Adlyka Annuar's undergraduate students, based on data from Hubble Telescope, SDSS and more.