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The photo shows Lim Yen Kheng attending an academic conference in South Africa.

In 2018, Lim Yen Kheng left Singapore and joined Xiamen University Malaysia as a lecturer in the Mathematics Programme. In 2020, when the Physics Programme was established at the Malaysia campus, Lim became one of its pioneering founders, witnessing its development from the ground up. Today, Lim primarily teaches courses such as relativity, quantum gravity, and calculus. With his engaging teaching style and clear, accessible explanations, he is highly regarded by his students. 

"Dr. Lim's classes are incredibly fun, and he even brings a guitar to the classroom to help us experience the dynamics of waves, one student recalled." Lim himself explained, "My courses focus on theoretical physics, relying heavily on extensive calculations. Compared to experimental physics, it’s much more abstract. Using tangible examples for simulation makes it more intuitive."

With over a decade of teaching experience, Lim has experimented with various methods to help students better understand theoretical physics. Reflecting on his journey, he believes the key lies in starting from one’s own perspective. "As lecturers, we were once students too. We know how we grasped a theory and the exact moments when it clicked for us," Lim shared. Empathy for his students forms the cornerstone of his teaching philosophy. "I believe teaching is more than just repeating the content of a textbook. When preparing for classes, I invest significant effort in finding different ways to convey knowledge and explain my perspective. I think it’s worth it." 

Additionally, part of Lim's teaching insights comes from his passion for writing. On WordPress, readers can find several science fiction stories he has published since 2015. Even today, Lim nurtures a dream of becoming a writer. Though his creative pursuits are currently on hold due to the demands of teaching and research, his experiences with storytelling have significantly influenced his teaching.

"I believe teaching is much like telling a story, Lim remarked. When writing, you need to captivate the reader’s interest. Teaching in class is no different. We need to lay out the background: Who is Batman? What’s his backstory? Who is the villain he needs to defeat? These are the essential story elements before advancing the plot. If we jump straight into the details, readers would be confused because they don’t even know who the characters are."

Before teaching, Lim Yen Kheng meticulously plans his syllabus, organizing each chapter progressively from simple to complex. For individual classes, he begins by introducing fundamental concepts, ensuring a smooth transition into the main topics. "We don’t expect everyone to remember all the details, as long as they grasp the key points. Just like watching a movie or reading a novel, audiences may not remember every character's name, but they can recall the distinct traits of different roles. Teaching is similar; you need to reinforce students' memory repeatedly, much like writing, so they naturally absorb the knowledge," Lim explained.

In addition to his thoughtful teaching approach, Lim regularly updates class notes on his website, providing students with an accessible resource for review.

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Currently, Lim Yen Kheng primarily teaches courses for third- and fourth-year students and supervises two master's students in research on black holes, exact solutions, and higher-dimensional gravity. Hearing students speak highly of his courses brings Lim great joy. He remarked, "We are very fortunate. In a field like physics, the students who persevere are invariably those driven by love and passion for the subject."

Lim Yen Kheng places great emphasis on the role of interest as a driving force in learning and research. Just as his passion for physics was sparked by books he read as a child, many people have been fascinated by the boundless universe and the intricate microscopic world. Planets in documentaries, atomic arrangements under a microscope, black holes shrouded in mystery - all these phenomena showcase a world both grand and elegant, governed by precise laws. While exploring the unknown is a natural human instinct, the allure often fades when the mystery transforms into lengthy calculations, abstract theories, and complex models. Many eventually give up, realizing that "this isn't for them".

Both theoretical and experimental physics are fields with significant knowledge barriers. Pursuing them requires immense dedication, along with focus, optimism, and curiosity. Lim notes that physics students in his Department are highly attentive during classes and diligent in their studies outside of them. "Many students approach me privately because they are fascinated by theories like black holes and quantum gravity. They’ve read books but struggle to fully grasp the content and come to me for clarification. Some are also interested in research and seek my advice, such as recommendations on where to pursue a PhD," Lim shared.

He described the Physics Department as a big family, where students from various countries interact warmly, fostering a positive learning environment. "I’ve noticed some Chinese students have picked up a Malaysian accent and even use local slang," Lim said with a laugh.

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The photo shows Lim Yen Kheng teaching a physics class.

In his free time, Lim enjoys playing the guitar, watching movies, and gaming. He also continues to write and has accumulated a collection of drafts. Before posting his work onLime, Lim spends time proofreading and revising until he’s satisfied. However, as his teaching responsibilities have grown, he has had to cut back on writing. In fact, his WordPress account has not been updated since 2019. Still, Lim revealed that he plans to organize and release new works soon, inviting everyone to stay tuned. 

Unlike the stereotype of the stoic STEM academic, Lim’s writing focuses more on emotions than science fiction elements. He enjoys drama and literature, viewing science fiction as merely a medium to express his reflections, given its relevance to his expertise. Perhaps this emotional depth is also a reason why he is so well-loved by his students.

In his research, Lim Yen Kheng aspires to make significant contributions to the field of quantum gravity. This area of theoretical study, aimed at unifying quantum mechanics and general relativity, is often referred to as one of the final pieces of the puzzle in fundamental physics. Recently, Lim has also delved into mathematical concepts like algebraic geometry and tropical geometry, exploring their applications to problems in statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and gravity.

The path of research is long and challenging, but one can hope that Lim will continue to shine in the world of physics while staying true to his emotional depth and creative spirit. May he keep writing, sharing his unique perspectives, and working toward his dreams.