News and pictures Gs. Dr Nur Suhaili Mansor
RIAU, 27 October 2025: The School of Computing (SOC), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), successfully organised the SOC Menakluk Riau 2025 programme at Universitas Kuantan Singingi (UNIKS), Universitas Lancang Kuning (UNILAK), and Universitas Islam Riau (UIR), Indonesia. The week-long programme brought together a vibrant mix of academic engagement and cultural immersion, embodying SOC’s mission to advance cross-border learning and global partnership.
The programme commenced with an inspiring opening address by Dr Ikrima Mailani, Rector of Universitas Kuantan Singingi, followed by a keynote lecture on Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics delivered by Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr Mohamad Ghozali Bin Hassan from Universiti Utara Malaysia.
Participants then joined the International Online Symposium on Artificial Intelligence Applications (ISAIA 2025), which provided a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange on emerging AI technologies. Complementing these scholarly sessions were community service initiatives and campus tours, fostering meaningful connections between participants and local communities.
A workshop on Interaction Design, led by Dr Hapini Awang and Dr Suhaili Mansor, enriched participants’ technical and creative competencies. At UNILAK, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr Mohamad Fadli Bin Zolkipli conducted postgraduate project assessments, reinforcing academic quality assurance across institutions.
One of the highlights of the programme was the Malaysia-Indonesia Cultural Exchange Night, which celebrated the shared heritage and artistic traditions of both nations. The event strengthened cross-cultural appreciation and showcased the spirit of unity through performance, dialogue, and creativity.
The academic itinerary continued with sessions on research trend navigation using bibliometric analysis, academic writing for Scopus-indexed publications led by Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr Nor Hazlyna binti Harun, and data analysis using Orange Tools with Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr Juhaida Abu Bakar. A global focus group discussion involving UUM and Riau universities further deepened institutional collaboration and identified avenues for future research partnerships.
Beyond the classroom, participants embarked on a study tour of the Siak government region in Pekanbaru, gaining insights into local governance and cultural heritage. The programme culminated with student travelogue and short video presentations, creatively capturing their week-long experiences. These were evaluated by Assoc. Prof. Dr Mazida Ahmad, marking a fitting conclusion to a transformative international experience.
SOC Menakluk Riau 2025 initiative not only strengthen academic cooperation and cultural understanding between Malaysian and Indonesian institutions but also provided a platform for experiential learning and leadership development. It reaffirmed SOC’s commitment to fostering international academic partnerships, nurturing global competencies, and promoting cross-cultural engagement among students and staff alike.
