What Our Students Say About Us
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Looking back on my studies in E-Commerce at Xiamen University Malaysia, I am grateful for the platform and support provided by the university. This journey has not only strengthened my professional foundation, but also shaped a mindset of adaptability, continuous learning, and readiness for future challenges.★★★★★Wong Kang NingAlumni, Bachelor of Management in E-Commerce - Image
My journey at Xiamen University Malaysia began with curiosity about an unfamiliar world. Over the past few years, XMUM has given me the space to adapt, explore, and discover my direction. With the guidance of supportive teachers, a multicultural campus environment, and opportunities in research, competitions, and internships, I gradually built a stronger academic foundation and turned a small spark of curiosity into a lasting passion.★★★★★Li ZhanStudent, Bachelor of Chemical Engineering - Image
I once thought medicine only belonged to the world of Western medicine, until my studies at Xiamen University Malaysia opened another path for me. The Traditional Chinese Medicine programme allowed me to learn from classical theories, community medical services, research projects, and clinical training in China, gradually helping me see the depth and relevance of TCM. What began as an unfamiliar choice has become a field I hope to continue exploring with responsibility, curiosity, and courage.★★★★★Lim Jie YiStudent, Bachelor of Medicine in Traditional Chinese Medicine - Image
My experience at Xiamen University Malaysia gradually helped me build a connection with China’s academic environment. Through English-taught mathematics courses, reading groups, competitions, and academic exchange opportunities, XMUM gave me the space to see a bigger world through mathematics. Research is a marathon; everyone may move at a different pace, but what matters more is whether we can keep moving forward.★★★★★Bryan Ng Zheng QuanAlumni, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics - Image
Studying English at Xiamen University Malaysia allowed me to explore language beyond the classroom. With lecturers who listened to my ideas, understood my perspective, and offered encouragement rather than criticism, I gained the confidence to think more deeply and creatively. My time at XMUM also helped me see language not only as a tool for communication, but as a way to understand history, culture, people, and the wider world.★★★★★Tan Ann NgeeAlumni, Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature - Image
I came to Xiamen University Malaysia without knowing exactly where EEE would take me, but I learned to find meaning through trying. In courses, competitions, student societies, and my final-year AI project, I gradually understood that engineering is not just about calculations or formulas, but about turning ideas into something useful and improving them through practice. My time at XMUM also helped me develop the engineering mindset and soft skills to communicate, work with others, and face real-life challenges with more confidence. I gained much more than I expected.★★★★★Lim Li ChuinStudent, Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering - Image
My journey at Xiamen University Malaysia was about much more than academic learning. It was a period of discovering new interests, building meaningful friendships, and learning how to step out of my comfort zone. Through classroom learning, student activities, and experiences beyond campus, I gradually became more confident, open-minded, and purpose-driven. This journey also taught me that education is not only about grades or certificates, but about how we think, connect with others, and find the direction that truly suits us.★★★★★Sanjaya JansonStudent, Bachelor of Management in International Business - Image
My years at Xiamen University Malaysia placed me in a cultural world I had never expected to enter. Through the Digital Media Technology programme, video-related coursework, and three years of hands-on experience, I gained practical experience in visual storytelling, editing, communication, and collaboration. More importantly, the people, stories, and cultural encounters I experienced at XMUM helped me see Malaysia from new perspectives.★★★★★Du HaoyuAlumni, Bachelor of Engineering in Digital Media Technology
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XMUM Alumnus Publishes in Scientific Reports
The Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Feng Junzhe, an alumnus from Electrical and Electronics Engineering programme, Asst. Prof. Ts. Dr. Kang Chia Chao and team from the School of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and S.M.A.R.T. Nexus Centre of Excellence, on the publication of their recent research article in Scientific Reports, an SCIE Q1 journal with a latest impact factor of 4.9.Feng Junzhe is the first author of the article. Titled “Fine grained reranking via caption bridging for knowledge augmented visual question answering”, the research focuses on solving the granularity mismatch problem within Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) frameworks for knowledge-intensive reasoning. Driven by the limitations of traditional RAG systems where coarse-grained retrieval units (like entire passages or global images) fail to align with the highly specific reasoning requirements of generation tasks, there is a critical need for localized visual evidence. To overcome this, the researchers engineered a Fine-Grained Retrieval-Augmented Generation (FG-RAG) framework that enhances the standard Contrastive Language–Image Pre-training (CLIP) architecture with patch-level contrastive supervision, allowing for explicit alignment between localized image regions and their corresponding textual fragments. Furthermore, the team introduced a joint retrieval-reranking optimization mechanism that unifies a dense retriever with a large language model (LLM)-based reranker using a shared relevance loss and a novel Score Alignment Strategy. By creating bidirectional feedback between retrieval precision and generation quality, this research maps out how to significantly enhance factual grounding and contextual coherence, reducing hallucination rates by 15 percentage points compared to conventional RAG systems.The published full article can be accessed at DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-57349-wThis work is financially supported by Xiamen University Malaysia Research Fund (XMUMRF/2025-C15/IECE/0059).Asst. Prof. Ts. Dr. Kang Chia Chao research lies at the cutting edge of sustainability, focusing on renewable energy, 5G/6G wireless communication, healthcare for sustainable development. Dr. Kang is currently seeking highly motivated Master's students to join his dynamic research team. If you are eager to work on impactful, sustainable technologies, please contact him directly at chiachao.kang@xmu.edu.my.
Tan Ann Ngee: Bridging Worlds Through Languages
In this era of booming AI technologies, many have begun to question the value of language degrees. To explore this question, we sat down with Tan Ann Ngee, a 2026 English graduate from Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM), to hear how language has shaped the way she understands people, work, and the world.Growing up in Malaysia’s multilingual society, Ann Ngee came to see language as a living fabric woven through everyday life. For her, language has never been merely a subject, but a way of connecting with others. “I have loved reading since childhood. Although I attended a Chinese independent high school, I read more English books, so I decided to follow my heart and pursue what I was truly interested in.”At university, she was guided and supported by Dr. Al-Saggaf Mohammadali Abdellah and Dr. Achoui Sana. “Whenever I had any ideas, the lecturers would listen carefully and then give practical advice from students’ perspective. Sometimes my thoughts were quite imaginative, but they never criticised me. Instead, they offered great encouragement. That feeling was very reassuring.”One of her most memorable university experiences took place beyond the classroom. As part of a second-year poetry module, she and her friends went beyond the syllabus by waking before dawn to watch the sunrise on campus, hoping to experience the poet’s imagery firsthand.“It was the first time I had seen XMUM at 5 a.m. Although we couldn’t watch a full sunrise due to the weather, we took turns reciting our favourite poems, which gave the moment its own charm.”In February 2022, Ann Ngee took part in a short-term brochure translation project for a tyre factory. Through the project, she began to see translation as a form of bridge-building between people from different backgrounds. “If you translate jargon with 100% accuracy but bore the readers, the brochure itself becomes meaningless.”For her thesis, she compared English and German by examining common errors among XMUM students and observing the differences between language systems. For instance, although English and German share some similar pronunciations, their spelling and grammar differ significantly.“Of course, we can get by with satisfactory language skills, but if you are willing to explore the history, context, and culture behind a language, it offers another way of understanding the world.”Her curiosity about language later led her to speech therapy. Her interest began when she learned about speech disorders caused by head trauma in an introductory linguistics class. It eventually brought her to a speech therapy internship, during which she participated in more than 200 therapy sessions.She admitted that the experience helped her grow from a student who felt unfamiliar with clinical settings into an intern who could independently interact with children and complete simple treatment tasks.The fast-paced work environment and the need to translate knowledge into practice were two major challenges. What impressed her most, however, was the importance of emotional connection between therapists and patients. “My work looks like playing with children, but it is actually using games to train their communication skills. Every response has something worth observing.”She added, “Building a good relationship with them takes consistent effort over many therapy sessions, but when they make progress, you feel it is all worthwhile.”Ann Ngee observed that although awareness of speech therapy in Malaysia has improved in recent years, the therapist-patient ratio remains severely imbalanced. This motivated her to learn more actively about the field and later take additional courses such as Phonetics and Phonology.Ann Ngee embraces the idea of “work-life integration”, believing that work should be part of life rather than something entirely separates from it. “Rather than deliberately separating work and life, I think it is more important to let them complement each other. Since language appears everywhere in daily life, the new inspiration and insights that arise from it can also enrich work itself.”As for the large language models (LLM) currently dominating the market, she remains optimistic. “The real value of a language degree lies in judgment, expressiveness, and the human touch.”After graduation, Ann Ngee entered the aviation industry. “I don’t think I should stick to one possibility. That is why I remain open to new challenges.”In her view, what matters more is to explore different industries and discover her true direction through real-life practice.
XMUM 10th Anniversary Special Feature | The Algorithm of Resilience
Studying at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM), I have been deeply inspired by the legacy of our founder, Tan Kah Kee. His spirit of “Self-Strengthening, Pursuit of Excellence” and his vision as an educator and socially responsible entrepreneur became a silent compass for my journey. At eighteen, I embarked on my own overseas adventure, carrying this spirit in my suitcase, ready to navigate the uncharted.The initial phase was a series of “system debugging” in real life. From awkward supermarket encounters to struggling with lectures in accented English, each small failure was a stress test for my resilience. I learned to assemble my life from scratch — navigating phone card plans, bank forms, and the profound silence of a new dorm room. There were nights of quiet tears, staring at a comforting text from home, feeling the immense weight of self-reliance. Yet these very mountains I thought I could never climb soon became anecdotes. I realized that independence was not merely about practical skills, but the forging of a mindset in which I alone was accountable for my choices.The true crystallization of my growth, where personal struggle transformed into tangible creation, occurred in Dr. Burra Venkata Durga Kumar’s CST 305 Computer Graphics course. While I was initially drawn to computing for its promising career prospects, it was in this course that I grasped its more profound purpose: technology is ultimately a tool to serve human life and enhance our lived experience. This realization transformed abstract code from a mere set of instructions into a canvas for creating tangible impact.This human-centric philosophy was instilled from our very first assignment. Dr. Burra structured a series of three progressive projects, each designed to unlock a distinct dimension of graphical creativity. The initial task required us to design an original 2D composition using basic geometric primitives. In response, I created an interactive postcard titled “How much I miss U.” It depicted schools of tiny fish swimming lazily across a monthly calendar — a simple yet heartfelt scene animated with gentle motion. The subsequent projects escalated in complexity, challenging us to craft a 3D object with dynamic shadows and motion, and finally, to model an intricate shape using curves and apply realistic textures. Crucially, Dr. Burra emphasized that the core value lay not in raw complexity, but in the design intent and creative voice behind the code. He encouraged us to unleash our imagination while simultaneously cultivating the technical tenacity needed to translate that vision into a functional reality. This foundational principle — that compelling design is inseparable from disciplined execution — became the bedrock for our subsequent, more ambitious team project.Driven by this ethos, my team and I conceived “ErgoVoyage,” a smart, foldable-chair suitcase designed to address a universal traveller’s plight: the lack of rest in bustling transit hubs. As the project initiator and a core developer, I spearheaded the transition from concept to code. We developed a complete 3D interactive simulation using OpenGL, a process that immersed me in a universe of vertices and textures. I constructed the suitcase body using GL_QUADS, modelled the wheels with gluCylinder, and meticulously mapped textures to simulate polymer and carbon fibre surfaces, striving for visual authenticity.The development process presented monumental challenges. Our initial animation loops resulted in jarring, discontinuous movements for the zipper and folding mechanism. Through relentless debugging, I redesigned the system by implementing a state machine controlled by glutTimerFunc, which finally yielded the smooth, realistic motion we had envisioned. A parallel battle involved the lighting model, where object colours erroneously bled into their shadows, flattening the scene. By meticulously adjusting parameters in glLightModel and material properties, we restored the necessary depth and visual clarity. Each resolved bug served as a practical lesson in patience, systematic problem-solving, and the seamless integration of mathematical theory with applied programming.Ultimately, the project transcended the scope of a typical assignment; it was a true odyssey of innovation. It cemented my understanding that genuine innovation lies at the intersection of an identified human need and the technical grit to build its solution. The awarding of the Silver Award to ErgoVoyage at the 4th Graduate Digital Invention, Innovation & Design (GDIID 2025) served as a powerful validation of this belief. Throughout this journey, Dr. Burra was more than an instructor; he was our guiding mentor. His witty humour and genuine patience in demystifying complex concepts fundamentally showed me that behind every powerful tool resides a human mind persistently asking, “How can this make life better?”Silver Award of ErgoVoyage Luggage ProjectThe Poster for VolyagePal Luggage ProjectPostcard titled “How much I miss U”Today, as I debug a stubborn line of code, the frustration feels familiar — yet everything around it has changed. The tears that once rose from confusion now gather in eyes fixed with determined focus. I am no longer merely a student learning a trade; I am a builder in the making, driven by the conviction that the right algorithm and the thoughtful interface can truly “do something good for the human”.As Xiamen University Malaysia celebrates its 10th anniversary, I see my own growth reflected in its unfolding story. From the tentative freshman who once hesitated in lecture halls to the graduate now equipped with both technical skill and a human-centered vision, the transformation is evident. My journey here has been, in essence, an act of translation: turning the enduring spirit of our founder, Tan Kah Kee, into the contemporary language of technology and global citizenship.To those who will walk these halls after me, I offer this: lean into the difficult courses. Seek mentors like Dr. Burra, who see not just code, but potential. And most importantly, dare to build your own “ErgoVoyage” — that idea which lives precisely where the world’s need meets your creative passion.Here’s to our beloved alma mater. May it remain a cradle where challenges are reimagined as blueprints, and where students, ever curious and courageous, grow into the architects of a better tomorrow.By Zhang Siyu2022/09Computing and Data Science
Public Space Operation Time During Semester Break (Degree)
Public Study Room Image *Public Study spaces are open for all XMUM students while no prior booking is required. LibrarySemester Break: 1 Aug – 24 Sept 2026Operating Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday – Friday)Closed: Weekends & Public HolidaysCanteen Image
R/V Tan Kah Kee Port Klang Open Day
Image Xiamen University's prestigious research vessel, the R/V Tan Kah Kee, will be docking at Port Klang Cruise Terminal (PKCT) this August.This is a unique opportunity to explore a state-of-the-art oceanographic research vessel, and we warmly invite everyone to join our FREE guided tours.Registration InformationFor participants who wish to take the complimentary bus between XMUM and PKCT, please sign in using your XMUM staff/student ID when making your reservation.Bus transportation is available only for the following two sessions (limited seats):16 August, 10:00 AM16 August, 2:00 PM17 August, 10:00 AM17 August, 2:00 PMIf you plan to drive to PKCT on your own or wish to join any other available tour session, please register using your personal email address and select PUBLIC during registration.Registration Link: https://events.xmu.edu.my/tkkrv/port-klang/Registration deadline: 13th August 2026, 12 PM About the R/V Tan Kah KeeThe R/V Tan Kah Kee is a global-class, 3,600-ton oceanographic research vessel equipped with cutting-edge marine science exploration technology. Known as the "Marine Campus of Xiamen University," it supports real-time observations and on-site scientific research across multiple disciplines, including hydrology, chemistry, biology, geology, geophysics, and atmospheric science.Spaces are limited, so register early to secure your preferred session.
The 22nd Cross-Strait “University Campus” Academic Symposium
研讨会简介About the Symposium海峡两岸“大学的校园”学术研讨会于 2001 年 12 月 6 日由北京大学发展规划部联合台湾沈祖海建筑文教基金会首次举办，旨在庆贺侯仁之院士九十华诞并开启两岸学术对话。二十余年来，研讨会秉持“校园承载大学精神、空间映照教育理念”的核心宗旨，围绕大学校园规划、建筑设计、文化传承、教育空间、人文精神与城市发展等议题展开深入讨论，逐步发展成为两岸大学校园研究领域最具影响力与持续性的学术平台之一。历届研讨会先后由北京大学、厦门大学、湖南大学、西安建筑科技大学、深圳大学、天津大学、沈阳建筑大学等高校承办，汇聚了海峡两岸建筑学、城市规划、教育学、文化研究及校园管理等领域的专家学者。会议不仅关注大学校园的物质空间与规划设计，更强调大学精神、文化积累、社会责任与区域协同发展的深层价值，持续回应全球化、数字化、生态转型与城市更新背景下大学校园所面临的新挑战与新机遇。2026年海峡两岸“大学的校园”学术研讨会将于2026年11月在厦门大学马来西亚分校举办，由分校图书馆承办。本届会议以“跨文化・数字化・新演进：大学校园的传承，发展与创新”为主题，结合跨境高等教育发展与数字时代校园转型的全球趋势，重点探讨大学校园空间演进、跨文化共生、校城融合、知识服务及学习环境创新等议题。会议旨在进一步推动海峡两岸及国际高校之间的学术合作与经验共享，深化大学校园研究的人文关怀与国际视野，并为未来大学校园建设、知识传播与教育创新提供新的理论思考与实践路径。The Cross-Strait “University Campus” Academic Symposium was established on 6 December 2001 through a joint initiative by the Department of Development Planning of Peking University and the Shen Zuhai Architectural and Educational Foundation in Taiwan. Originally organized to celebrate the 90th birthday of Academician Hou Renzhi, the conference sought to initiate sustained academic dialogue across the Taiwan Strait with university campuses as its central concern. Over the past two decades, the conference has upheld the principle that campuses embody the spirit of universities, while spatial forms reflect educational philosophies. Through continuous discussions on campus planning, architectural design, cultural heritage, educational space, humanistic values, and urban development, it has gradually become one of the most influential and enduring academic platforms in the field of university campus studies across the Taiwan Strait. Previous editions of the conference have been hosted by leading institutions including Peking University, Xiamen University, Hunan University, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Shenzhen University, Tianjin University, and Shenyang Jianzhu University. The conference has brought together scholars and professionals from the fields of architecture, urban planning, education, cultural studies, and campus administration. Beyond discussions of physical space and campus design, the conference has consistently emphasized broader concerns including university spirit, cultural continuity, social responsibility, and regional collaboration, while responding to emerging challenges and opportunities associated with globalization, digital transformation, ecological transition, and urban renewal. The 2026 Cross-Strait “University Campus” Academic Symposium will be held in November 2026 at Xiamen University Malaysia and hosted by the Xiamen University Malaysia Library. Under the theme “Cross-Cultural, Digitalization, and New Evolution: Heritage, Development and Innovation in University Campuses,” the conference will address global trends in cross-border higher education and digital-era campus transformation. Particular attention will be given to issues such as the evolution of campus spaces, intercultural coexistence, university–city integration, knowledge services, and innovation in learning environments. The conference aims to further strengthen academic collaboration and intellectual exchange among universities across the Taiwan Strait and beyond, deepen the humanistic and international dimensions of university campus studies, and contribute new theoretical insights and practical approaches to the future development of university campuses, knowledge dissemination, and educational innovation.会议主题与子议题Symposium Theme and Sub-themes主题：跨文化・数字化・新演进：大学校园的传承，发展与创新Theme: Cross-Cultural, Digitalization, and New Evolution: Heritage, Development and Innovation in University Campuses子议题：Sub-theme: (1) 数字时代：大学校园演进、变革与空间转型Digital Era: Evolution, Transformation, and Spatial Transition of University Campuses(2) 跨文化共生：跨境大学发展及区域贡献Intercultural Coexistence: The Development and Regional Contributions of Cross-Border Universities(3) 校城融合：大学空间边界、更新与遗产保护University–City Integration: Spatial Boundaries, Urban Renewal, and Heritage Conservation of University Campuses(4)知识服务：图书馆转型与校园学习环境创新Knowledge Services: Library Transformation and Innovation in Campus Learning Environments 主办单位与承办单位Organizer and co-host主办单位：海峡两岸“大学的校园”学术研讨会组委会Organizer: Organizing Committee of the Cross-Strait “University Campus” Academic Symposium承办单位：厦门大学马来西亚分校图书馆Co-host: Xiamen University Malaysia Library缴费方式： 请通过 https://epayment.xmu.edu.my/event-listing 完成缴费Payment via: https://epayment.xmu.edu.my/event-listing缴费时间： 2026年9月15日至2026年10月30日。Payment period: 15 September 2026 – 30 October 2026 Image