Keynotes

Professor Ts. Dr. Rayner Alfred is a distinguished academic, researcher, and technology leader whose career spans academia, industry, and national governance. Recognized as one of the Top 3 Scientists in Sabah (2023) and among the Top 2% Scientists worldwide (Stanford–Elsevier List), he exemplifies the fusion of global excellence with local impact. He currently serves as Director of the Creative Advanced Machine Intelligence Research Centre (CAMIRC) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Chairman of MIMOS Technologies Sdn. Bhd. (MTSB), Board Member of MIMOS Berhad, and Independent Non-Executive Director of Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) — a national entity under Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). His leadership bridges artificial intelligence, data science, and digital governance, aligning national innovation with the National AI Roadmap, UN Sustainable Development Goals, and UMS Vision 2025. Prof. Rayner’s research focuses on AI-driven decision intelligence, data fusion of structured and unstructured information, and sustainable technology ecosystems. His flagship projects — including AI-AgroBlue (smart agriculture), AI-HealthAssist (healthcare analytics), AI-Nature (environmental intelligence), and AI-Civic (digital society and governance) — demonstrate real-world impact across Malaysia’s innovation sectors.

He holds a PhD in Computer Science (Machine Learning) from the University of York, UK, an MSc in Computer Science from Western Michigan University, USA, and a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science from the Polytechnic University of Brooklyn, USA. A Professional Technologist (Ts.), Chartered MBOT Member, and IEEE Fellow, he is also a Visiting Professor at JAIST (Japan), KAIS (Korea), and Hainan Vocational University of Science and Technology (China). As the founder of the Malaysia Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence (MAICoE) — under the tagline “Smart Ideas, Smarter Nation” — Prof. Rayner champions ecosystem development, commercialization, and AI talent empowerment. His professional philosophy emphasizes strategic foresight, ethical AI, and sustainable innovation, ensuring that Malaysia and Sabah remain at the forefront of AI-driven transformation and decision intelligence

Emeritus Professor Chun Che Lance Fung, IEEE Life Senior Member, and IEEE R10 Past Director (2025-2026), was trained and worked as a Marine Radio and Electronic Officer in Hong Kong during the 70’s. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree with First Class Honours and a Master of Engineering Degree from the University of Wales in the 80’s. His Ph.D. Degree was awarded by the University of Western Australia, with a thesis on Artificial Intelligence and Power System Engineering, under the supervision of late Professor Kit Po Wong in early 90’s. Lance has taught at Singapore Polytechnic (1982-1988), Curtin University (1989-2003), and Murdoch University (2003-2015) where he was appointed Emeritus Professor in 2015. Apart from his teaching and research duties, he has served as elected member in the University Senate and Academic Council, Associate Dean of Research, Postgraduate Research Director, and Director of the Centre for Enterprise Collaborative in Innovative Systems. He has supervised to completion over 30 doctoral students and published over 350 academic articles. His contributions can be viewed at IEEE Xplore, ResearchGate, Google Scholar and Scopus. Lance has been a dedicated volunteer for the IEEE for nearly 30 years in various positions in Chapters, WA Section, Australia Council, Region 10 Executive Committee, IEEE Conference Committee, IEEE Audit Committee, the IEEE SMC Society Board of Governors, and many other IEEE committees. While enjoying his retirement, he remains an active volunteer of IEEE, contributing to the community as well as IEEE’s mission and vision.

Dr Choong is a Principal Researcher at the Center for Advanced Electronics & Embedded Systems at MIMOS Berhad, and he is currently leading the Department of IoT Systems. He provides strategic direction and vision for the department, aligning research initiatives with organizational goals. Dr. Choong inspires a team of talented researchers and engineers, ensuring the successful planning, execution, and completion of R&D projects. His research focuses on IoT technologies for Smart Manufacturing, including UWB indoor tracking systems, collaborative automation platforms, and test equipment monitoring systems, as well as multimedia content and service delivery, such as wireless presentation systems. Dr. Choong holds a PhD in Computer and Communication Systems Engineering from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). He has published about 13 journals and 35 conference papers, and filed at least 30 inventions in Malaysia and abroad. He has seven IPs granted by MyIPO and four by the USPTO, with six commercialized IPs implemented into two products. Additionally, he has been instrumental in securing numerous research grants and funding for the department, fostering collaborations with international research institutions, and mentoring young researchers and engineers. He is also serving as the steering committee member of the ICT Virtual Organization of ASEAN Institutes and NICT (ASEAN IVO).

Ir. Ts. Mohd Faris Ariffin is a Specialist (Overhead Line Systems Design & Diagnostic) with Distribution Engineering Center, Engineering Services, Asset Management Department, Distribution Network Division, TNB. He has been working with TNB for 33 years since 1991 with various departments/units such as Transmission Lines/Substations Maintenance, Distribution System Operator, SCADA & Telecontrol and Distribution Overhead Lines Standards & Engineering Practices with the current department since 2003. He is a registered professional engineer with practicing certificate (PEPC) with the Board of Engineers, Malaysia, a registered professional technologist (P.Tech) with Malaysia Board of Technologist, ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer (ACPE), Certified Class 1 Professional Drone Practitioner with Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia, holds a Master’s in Electrical Engineering from UNITEN, Malaysia (2006) and graduated from Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA in 1991 with a BSc. in Engineering (Electrical). He is also a Member of Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (MIEM) and the Honorary Secretary for Pertubuhan CIRED Malaysia.

Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohammad Faizal Ahmad Fauzi, PEng, CEng, SMIEEE, MIEM, is a distinguished Malaysian academic, engineer, and researcher, currently serving as Professor and Dean of the School of Digital Health (SDH) at KPJ Healthcare University (KPJU) and Director of the KPJ Centre for Digital Health (CDH). Renowned for his pioneering contributions to biomedical informatics, digital pathology, machine learning and artificial intelligence, he has spent over two decades driving innovation at the intersection of engineering, computer science and healthcare. Prof. Faizal earned his BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree from Imperial College London and PhD in Electronic and Computer Science from the University of Southampton, UK. His leadership in AI-driven healthcare research, particularly in cancer diagnostics, medical imaging, and precision medicine, has been recognised through prestigious awards including Malaysia’s Top Research Scientist (ASM, 2024), the Fulbright-MCMC Award (USA, 2017), and multiple honours from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). A Chartered Engineer (UK) and Professional Engineer (Malaysia), he has published widely, holds several patents, and has delivered numerous international keynote lectures. As an academic leader and mentor, he continues to champion the integration of digital health technologies, clinical AI, and research excellence to strengthen Malaysia’s position in the global digital health ecosystem