Venue: Main Hall (Straits 345), Level 7, Grand Swiss-Belhotel Melaka

 

Keynote 1:

PROF. DR. YONG LIANG GUAN
Associate Vice President (Infrastructure & Programmes)
School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Date: 27 August 2025 (Wednesday)
Time: 09:15 am-10:15 am

Keynote Title:
Doppler Effects in High Mobility Communication – Foe or Friend?

Abstract:
High-mobility broadband communication channels tend to suffer from fast time-varying multipath fading with large Doppler distortion, also known as doubly selective fading. The Doppler severity grows when future communications move to higher frequency bands in the mm-wave or sub-THz range. Multipath fading introduces inter-symbol interference (ISI) in single-carrier communication systems, while Doppler spread introduces inter-carrier interference (ICI) in multi-carrier communication systems. Tracking the fast time-varying channel states also requires more pilot overhead, which cuts communication efficiency. On the other hand, multipath presents frequency diversity, while Doppler effects present time diversity, which are good against signal deep fades. In this talk, I will share ideas in constructing doppler-resilient multipath receivers with low pilot overhead, turning the foes in doubly selective fading channel to diversity benefits.

Biography:
Prof. Yong Liang Guan obtained his PhD degree from the Imperial College London, UK, and Bachelor of Engineering degree with first class honours from the National University of Singapore.  He is now an Associate Vice President of the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, and a Professor of Communication Engineering at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering in NTU, where he founded and is leading the Continental-NTU Corporate Research Lab, and also led the successful deployment of the campus-wide NTU-NXP V2X Test Bed in NTU.  His research interests broadly include coding and signal processing for communication systems and data storage systems.  He has published an invited monograph, 2 books and more than 540 journal and conference papers. He has secured over S$70 million of external research funding.  He has more than 40 filed patents and 13 granted patents (some of which were licensed to NXP, Continental). He is an Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology and a Distinguished Speaker of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society.

 

Keynote 2:

PROF. DR. ZAHRILADHA BIN ZAKARIA
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)

Date: 27 August 2025 (Wednesday)
Time:10:30 am-11:30 am

Keynote Title:
Exploring Challenges and Research Directions in Microwave Sensing and Body-Centric Wireless Networks

Abstract:
Recent advances in microwave sensing and imaging have opened new opportunities for a wide range of applications across industrial, biomedical, and healthcare sectors. These technologies enable real-time, non-invasive characterization of material properties and offer key advantages such as compactness, cost-effectiveness, and ease of integration. In particular, microwave planar sensors and imaging systems are increasingly being adopted for diagnostic purposes, including tumour detection and wearable health monitoring. Despite these promising developments, several challenges remain—particularly in achieving high sensitivity, selectivity, and measurement stability when detecting subtle dielectric variations in heterogeneous media. Moreover, the integration of these sensors into body-centric wireless networks introduces additional complexities related to electromagnetic compatibility, mechanical flexibility, and reliable data transmission. This keynote will examine recent progress in microwave sensing and imaging systems, review emerging strategies for performance enhancement, and highlight future research directions in the development of intelligent, body-conformal microwave platforms for next-generation diagnostic and monitoring applications.

Biography:
Prof. Dr. Zahriladha Zakaria currently serves as the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), and is a Professor in the Microwave Research Group (MRG), Centre for Telecommunication Research & Innovation (CeTRI), Faculty of Electronic and Computer Engineering. He received his B.Eng. and M.Eng. degrees in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 1998 and 2004, respectively, and was awarded a Ph.D. from the Institute of Microwaves and Photonics (IMP), University of Leeds, United Kingdom, in 2010. His research focuses on the design and development of microwave and sensing devices, wireless sensing technologies, and energy harvesting systems—domains that are pivotal to advancing intelligent connectivity in contemporary communication networks. Prof. Zahriladha has authored over 400 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and book chapters. He also holds eight intellectual property rights and has received numerous accolades, including several gold medals at national and international research and innovation exhibitions. Drawing on his extensive academic experience and scholarly contributions, he remains dedicated to fostering interdisciplinary innovation that integrates microwave engineering with intelligent and connected technologies for the benefit of society.

 

Keynote 3:

ASSOC. PROF. DR. FARMAN ALI
Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering
Qurtuba University of Science and Information Technology, Pakistan

Date: 28 August 2025 (Thursday)
Time:09:00 am-10:00 am

Keynote Title:
Graph Neural Networks and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces for 6G UAV Communication Networks in Malaysian Palm Oil Plantations and Monitoring

Abstract:
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly relied upon to enable flexible, adaptable, and robust wireless communications for agricultural applications, particularly in large and challenging Malaysian palm oil plantations. These UAVs serve as key platforms for plantation monitoring, agricultural data collection, and farm management, helping to improve productivity and operational efficiency. The 6G of this field focuses on how the mechanisms of Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) can profoundly transform UAV communication networks in Malaysian oil palm plantations. GNNs enable optimized trajectory planning and handover decisions, allowing UAVs to navigate efficiently above extensive agricultural fields. Simultaneously, RIS technology strengthens signals and extends coverage by intelligently reflecting and directing radio waves toward ground sensors, agricultural equipment, and workers. Drawing upon extensive simulations and a rich body of research, this talk will illuminate a path forward for designing future-proof UAV communication networks empowering smarter agricultural operations and more effective monitoring of Malaysian oil palm plantations.

Biography:
Dr. Farman Ali serving as an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at Qurtuba University of Science and Information Technology, Pakistan, where he also oversees the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) and serves on the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Committee. Dr. Ali’s research expertise lies in 6G, UAV communications, optical networks, AI integration in wireless systems, and free-space optics, with over 70 peer-reviewed international publications and numerous IEEE conference contributions to his credit. He has led and contributed to several internationally funded research projects, including those supported by the China National Key R&D Program, Polish Ministry of Science, Najran University (Saudi Arabia), Silesian University of Technology (Poland), Taif University (Saudi Arabia), Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (EU), and the Korean Ministry of SMEs. Actively engaged in global research collaborations across China, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Poland, Spain, and Malaysia. His ongoing research encompasses advanced modulation techniques, 6G channel modeling, UAV-to-ship/ground communication, and AI-enabled optical systems.