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XMUM PhD Student Awarded "Digital Green Talents Award 2025"
The Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Joel Foo Jie, a PhD student from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM), for being awarded the 2025 Digital Green Talents Award.An initiative of the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the award honors 20 young researchers worldwide each year, with the purpose of promoting the international exchange of innovative green ideas that leverage digitalization to foster sustainable development. Image Joel, currently a researcher at the Center of Excellence for NaNo Energy and Catalysis Technology (CONNECT) under the supervision of Prof. Ong Wee Jun, secured the award in the "Energy" category. Joel's research focuses on designing defect-engineered carbon nitride photocatalysts for key green energy processes, including CO2 reduction, oxygen reduction, and hydrogen evolution. By exploring atomic-level modifications, such as boron doping in C3N5 and potassium intercalation in crystalline carbon nitride, he regulates charge dynamics and unlocks wide pH-range hydrogen evolution."As energy demands rise, we need green solutions to slow down or eliminate the destruction of nature," he said. Looking ahead, Joel plans to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) could accelerate the discovery and optimization of sustainable catalysts.“By integrating AI, we hope to fast-track the discovery of materials needed for clean energy solutions, effectively speeding up our response to climate challenges." Image Starting his PhD journey in 2022, Joel has authored or co-authored 24 published papers so far, including seven first or co-first author works, and has amassed over 850 citations with an h-index of 16. His interest in research began during his undergraduate years at XMUM. A science fiction movie fan since childhood, he selected "Nanomaterials" course in his third year, because “the technology looked impressive in films”."That class, taught by Prof. Ong Wee Jun, was a turning point for me," he recalled, "He did an excellent job introducing the field, which steered my interest toward real-world applications."Joel credits his award to the guidance of Prof. Ong Wee Jun and the collaborative support of his team. "Working in CONNECT feels like being part of a family," he said, "We challenge each other, explore new ideas freely, and keep pushing until we achieve breakthroughs."He also expressed gratitude to his parents and sister for their support, as well as funding from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Petronas, and Xiamen University.As a Digital Green Talent, he will attend a fully-funded Spring School and a research stay in Germany in 2026, where he plans to bring his AI-catalysis proposal to life. Joel is the fourth Green Talents Award recipient from XMUM, following Prof. Dr. Ong Wee Jun, Prof. Dr. Yong Wai Fen, and Ng Sue Faye, a PhD alumnus of the Class of 2025.
XMUM Holds Donation Ceremony for CAMS Education and Development Fund
On 28 November 2025, the donation ceremony for the China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences (CAMS) Education Development Fund was held at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM), which will be used to support the development of CAMS at Xiamen University Malaysia, rewarding outstanding students, encouraging scientific innovation, as well as promoting talent cultivation, academic development, and research.The fund was launched by Prof. Dai Minhan, an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, alumnus of Xiamen University, Deputy Director of the XMU Council, Dean of the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology, and Honorary Director of the State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science - who donated the entire RMB 200,000 prize he received from the 2023 Nanqiang Outstanding Contribution Award to its establishment.Meanwhile, Mr. Gao Long, alumnus of Xiamen University, President of the XMU Alumni Association of Yunnan, and Chairman of Yunnan Xianghua Education Group, contributed RMB 2 million to the fund.The ceremony was attended by Prof. Dai Minhan, Mr. Gao Xiangming (son of Mr. Gao Long), Prof. Wang Ruifang, President of Xiamen University Malaysia, Prof. Liu Zhiyu, Dean of XMU College of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Dean of the China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences, among other guests. In the speech, Prof. Dai Minhan expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the education he received at XMU and for the support of colleagues at home and abroad in advancing marine science. He emphasized that establishing the China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences in Malaysia, where Xiamen University founder Mr. Tan Kah Kee began his entrepreneurial journey, represents the college's gratitude and contribution to Mr. Tan Kah Kee's vision. He also encouraged public donations to the fund, hoping the college will carry forward Mr. Tan Kah Kee's spirit, cultivate innovative marine talents, and promote scientific advancement. Mr. Gao Xiangming highlighted that his father, Gao Long, has always upheld Mr. Tan Kah Kee’s belief in saving the country through education and the spirit of gratitude and dedication. As a descendant of a Xiamen University alumnus and a graduate of Xiamen University Malaysia, he hopes this donation will support the university's educational development and contribute to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative. On behalf of the CAMS's faculty and students, Tan Ru En, a year two undergraduate, expressed sincere appreciation to Prof. Dai Minhan and Mr. Gao Long. She noted that the support provides strong backing for research and teaching, injects new momentum into the college's growth, and encourages students to pursue academic research and explore the sea with confidence.
5 Disciplines and 106 XMUM Publications Among ESI Global Top 1%
Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) is ranked globally top 1% in the Clinical Medicine discipline, Neuroscience & Behaviour discipline, Engineering discipline, Chemistry discipline, Social Sciences (General) discipline, according to the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) ranking released in November 2025.This is the first time that the Chemistry discipline of the University has entered the ranking.Meanwhile, 106 research papers published by XMUM scholars have been recognised as ESI Top papers, among which eight (8) papers were picked as Hot Papers, as shown in the ESI database updated in September 2025."Top Papers" are the top 1% of papers by field and publication year, while "Hot Papers" are the top 0.1% of papers cited in the current bimonthly period.It is worth pointing out that 2,151 papers published by XMUM faculty members are currently listed in the Web of Science with a total citation of 106,874, which contributes 58.85 times per paper on average, ranking 10 and 1 among higher education institutes in Malaysia, respectively.Other than Clinical Medicine, Neuroscience & Behavior, Engineering, Chemistry and Social Sciences, XMUM's publications are also highly cited in a wide range of other fields. Click to view the whole list. Document ESI September 2025.xlsx ESI is an analytical tool that identifies top-performing papers across 22 academic disciplines. Currently, it is used as one of the most universal evaluation indexes by universities and scientific research institutions around the world.
Apply for 2026 Scholarship with SPM Trial Result
You don’t have to wait for your official SPM 2025 results to start planning your future. Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) now accepts SPM Trial Results for 2026 intakes and scholarship applications!This means you can apply early, secure your spot, and be among the first to enjoy our wide range of scholarships. Whether your dream is in Business, Science, Engineering, or the Arts and Social Science — your journey begins here at Xiamen University Malaysia.💡 Apply early. Study smart. Succeed globally.✨ Intake: 2026 | Chat with Us! Image Image
Education Fairs November & December 2025
Meet Xiamen University Malaysia at the upcoming Nov–Dec Education Fairs!Explore our programmes, scholarships, and campus opportunities. Your journey starts now. Image
XMUM x IPRMSA Launch Malaysia First-Ever Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainable Development Goals Idea Pitching Competition: "RE:ACT"
The School of Communication from Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM), in collaboration with the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia Student Association (IPRMSA) and its three chapters: XMUM, University of Wollongong Malaysia (UOW) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), will host the first-ever Malaysian Idea Pitching Competition, “RE:ACT,” focused on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).Event details are as below:Date: 3rd December 2025 (Wednesday)Time: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PMVenue: Tan Hua Choon Auditorium, Xiamen University Malaysia Image


