FHNW researchers awarded in Kuala Lumpur

On 8 October, the Swiss-ASEAN Learning and Teaching Association opened the Annual General Assembly Meeting with a welcome address by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Astuty Amrin, dean of UTM Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics. During the Board Meeting, Dr. Andika from Institut Teknologi Bandung presented an interesting idea for a new summer school open to Swiss and ASEAN students. In stage one, students would take virtual classes on cross-cultural and conflict management for two weeks and study the topics individually. Stage two would include an onsite study trip where students meet in a destination in Southeast Asia and attend more lectures in person by international guest lecturers. Moreover, the onsite study trip would include company visits in local, multinational or social enterprises as well as visiting local communities. The General Assembly Meeting closed with a signing ceremony where the Association signed a Letter of Intention with the UTM Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics to enhance research collaboration and promotion of academic programmes in the areas of science, technology and innovation, amongst others.

On 9 October, the Association organised the second Connect-Us Conference hosted by the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia with over 60 participants from Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Switzerland, Germany, Malaysia and Singapore. This year’s conference tackled the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation in various dimensions. 22 researchers presented their research and findings on digital transformation in education, communications, innovation, business applications as well as its effects on economy and society. The conference booklet can be found on the conference website.

The keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Rolf Dornberger presented the history of robots and offered new insights into the robotics industry like the use of artificial intelligence.

The panel discussion led by Dr. Sathiabama Thirugnana from UTM analysed the topic “Technology and Innovation – Accelerating Development Sophistication of Business Model (Value Creation)”. The panelists shared their experience with big data and artificial intelligence in regard to the business model of their respective company. The panel consisted of:

• Mr. Ammar Roslizar, CEO ARBA Travel
• Mr. Mohd Wardi Bin Hilmi, Founder of Indeepreneur
• Ir. Dr. Ahmad Nizar, Vice President The eCEOs Sdn Bhd
• Mr. Manfred Rist, Neue Zürcher Zeitung
• Ir. Fauzan Baharudin, Petronas Group

The day closed with an award ceremony honouring researchers in the categories best paper, best presenter and best student paper of each paper session. From FHNW School of Business, Prof. Dr. Beat Hulliger was awarded best paper and best presenter for his paper “Skills for Business Analytics and Academic Curricula”. Prof. Dr. Mathias Binswanger received the best paper award for his research on ”Digital Transformation and Employment: Where Will New Jobs Be Created”. Corinne Köpfli was awarded best presenter for the paper "Digital Transformation and Corporate Social Responsibility of Food Safety in Vietnam”.

The conference continued with the visit at Visit to Komplek Kraf Kuala Lumpur where participants learnt about artisanry and the Malaysian government’s endeavour to preserve the quality and knowledge of Malaysian crafts such as batik. The delegation visited the Craft Museum displaying the traditional clothes and garments and was then introduced into the art of colouring batik. During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to colour a painting with batik by themselves.

The workshop was followed by the visit to the PETRONAS Digital Collaboration Centre located at the heart of Kuala Lumpur in the Petronas Twin Towers.

The whole programme from 8 to 10 October was organised by UTM Razak School for Technology and Informatics. We would like to thank our hosts very much for their hospitality and commitment.

Further Information

Website of the Swiss-ASEAN Learning and Teaching Association