Advisory committee
Ts Dr Chua Wen-Shyan
Head of Malaysian Smart Factory 4.0, Selangor Human Resource Development Centre (SHRDC)
Dr Chua Wen-Shyan is currently the Head of Malaysian Smart Factory 4.0 under the Selangor Human Resource Development Centre (SHRDC). He obtained his PhD in Control Systems Engineering and BEng in Mechatronics Engineering from Monash University Malaysia. His key area of expertise lies mainly in the area of Control and Automation Systems, Fault Detection and Identification (FDI), and Predictive Maintenance Strategies; which are widely used in Industry 4.0 applications. He is also appointed by the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) in collaboration with the Machinery and Equipment Productivity Nexus (MEPN) as one of the mentors (advisors) for the PRODUCTIVITY1010 initiative to support the industries in their journey towards digital transformation.
As the Head of Malaysian Smart Factory 4.0, Dr Chua and his team are focused in delivering high impact talent development programs to accelerate the growth of local talents who would be the workforce in supporting the growth of Industry 4.0. The programs developed by his team at the Malaysian Smart Factory 4.0 are also able to support the industries and community towards achieving sustainable digital transformation through high impact talent development strategies.
Advisory committee
Prof Dr David Romero
Scientific Vice-Chairman, World Manufacturing Foundation and Professor of Advanced Manufacturing, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico
Prof Dr David Romero is a member of the IFIP Working Group 5.7 on Advances in Production Management Systems, the IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society, and the IEEE Internet of Things Community. Furthermore, he is an Agenda Contributor at the World Economic Forum Council on “Shaping the Future of Advanced Manufacturing and Value Chains”, and a World Manufacturing Forum Ambassador.
His research interests include Circular Manufacturing, Service Engineering and Product-Service Systems, Cyber-Physical Systems and Human Systems, Advanced Production Management Systems, and Technology and Engineering Management. He has published more than 150 articles. He serves on different editorial and scientific committees and advisory boards in academia, industry, and government related to business and industrial engineering disciplines.
Advisory committee
Dr Ing Dominic Gorecky
Head of Swiss Smart Factory & Swiss Health Tech Center, Partner, Executive Board Member, Switzerland, Innovation Park Biel/Bienne AG
Dr Ing Dominic Gorecky is partner and executive board member at Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne AG. He is also co-founder and head of the Swiss Smart Factory, which became the first and leading test and demonstration platform for Industry 4.0 in Switzerland. Since November 2022, Dominic is also president of the board of directors at the new Swiss national competence center for collaborative robotics S3C.
Before, he was head of research of the Innovative Factory Systems department at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence DFKI in Kaiserslautern, Germany. In this role, he was also the responsible R&D coordinator for the living lab SmartFactoryKL.
He is agenda contributor at the World Economic Forum and is co-founder and advisor for several start-ups in the area of Industry 4.0.
His PhD addressed the usage of semantic technologies in the context of the digital factory.
Speaker
Dr Deny Sapian, DBA
Head of Industrial Sales & Business Development, Schaeffler Malaysia
Dr. Deny Sapian, DBA is distinguished as a thought leader at the intersection of industrial engineering and strategic business development. He brings a wealth of experience in driving transformative change within the manufacturing sector. Holding advanced degrees in Chemical Engineering, Business Administration, and Strategic Leadership, he currently spearheads regional initiatives for Schaeffler, championing highly innovative technology solutions. His book, "Strategic Regeneration," showcases his expertise in Business Strategy and Operational Excellence, with a special focus on SMEs in Malaysia.
Speaker
Edwin Yap
CEO, Jemco Retail Fixtures
Edwin is the CEO of Jemco Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s largest manufacturer of shelves and racks for retail and warehouses. He also leads Jemco Technology Solutions (JTS), a new division focused on smart warehouse automation and AI robotics. As part of Jemco’s transformation into a future-ready platform, Edwin is expanding into intelligent manufacturing and collaborating with SHRDC to advance workforce capabilities and real-world AI applications in retail and logistics. His mission is to empower businesses to scale sustainably through innovation, modularity, and people-centric technology.
Speaker
ET Tan
Member Board of Directors, MIMOS Berhad
A veteran with over 30 years of international experience, Mr. Tan served as the CEO of the Penang Skills Development Centre, bridging industry-workforce gaps. He previously held executive positions at Hewlett-Packard UK, HP Laboratories in Palo Alto, and Seagate Technology HQ in California. As a co-founder of the InfraRed Data Association, he led the development of industry standards in storage technologies and security, which have been adopted by over a billion devices worldwide.
After returning to Malaysia under Talentcorp, he now drives the national semiconductor strategy as a board member of MIMOS. He graduated with honors in Electrical Engineering from Imperial College London and holds an Executive MBA from Cranfield School of Management in the UK. Additionally, he is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt Champion.
Speaker
A/Prof Ir Dr Hudyjaya Siswoyo Jo
Director, Centre for Digital Futures | Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Computing & Science Swinburne University of Technology
Dr. Hudyjaya received his Bachelor of Engineering and PhD in Robotics and Mechatronics from Swinburne University of Technology. He served as a teaching assistant at Swinburne Sarawak while completing his doctoral research and later joined the university as a Lecturer in 2012, becoming a Senior Lecturer in 2018.
His research focuses on robotics, automation, and mechanisation, and he supervises students in various robotics competitions. Dr. Hudyjaya has completed multiple Industry 4.0 projects for SMEs in Sarawak and is interested in embedded systems for home automation and smart galleries.
As a technical consultant, he has contributed to projects like the Borneo Cultures Museum, the second largest museum in Southeast Asia. His research interests include mechatronics system design, industrial automation, and human-machine interaction.
Speaker
James Kok
Head, AIAP-X & Assistant Head, Industry Development, AI Singapore
James is a seasoned AI leader, strategist, and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience driving innovation at the intersection of technology, business, and capability development. He currently serves as the Head of AIAP-X at AI Singapore, where he leads the global expansion of the AI Apprenticeship Programme®, Singapore’s flagship initiative for AI talent development. He also heads the AI Engineering Hub (Defence), overseeing the design and deployment of AI solutions for the defence and national security sectors.
In addition, he is the Assistant Head of Industry Development, playing a key role in building partnerships across government, academia, and industry to accelerate responsible AI adoption. His work focuses on translating national AI strategies into practical outcomes through collaboration, capability building, and scalable implementation.
With experience in co-founding and scaling two startups, he brings strong entrepreneurial instincts and operational insight to his leadership roles. Recently, he completed the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Programme at the National University of Singapore, further strengthening his ability to align technology innovation with strategic business goals.
He is recognized for his ability to bridge complex technical domains with real-world impact, delivering high-value, sustainable AI outcomes locally and internationally.
Speaker
Jaszmine K Balakrishnan
Senior HR Leader, Organizational Development Strategist, NXP Semiconductors
With over 20 years of expertise, Jaszmine is a seasoned HR professional specializing in strategic HR initiatives, organizational transformation, and leadership development. Currently serving as a Senior Manager for L&D and HRBP at NXP Semiconductors, she has successfully driven programs that enhance employee engagement, improve performance, and foster leadership growth. Known for her strategic thinking and innovative HR solutions, Jaszmine consistently delivers measurable impacts, including increased productivity and employee satisfaction.
Speaker
Jerry Zhao
Deputy General Manager, Overseas Department, Inspur Cloud
Speaker
Jinendra Jain
Senior Director - Product & Solutions, Moxo
Jinendra is a seasoned technology and business transformation leader with over 15 years of experience driving innovation in product strategy, workflow automation, and digital execution within enterprise environments.
As Director of Product & Solutions at Moxo, Jinendra leads partnerships with global manufacturing and financial institutions to bridge the gap between ERP systems and real-time operational execution. His expertise spans strategic account growth, solution design, low-code integrations, and the enablement of high-impact workflows, including STP transactions, eKYC, eSign, and mobile-first approvals.
Jinendra plays a pivotal role in supporting product development, identifying key digital initiatives across client organizations, and delivering proof-of-concepts that directly address operational pain points. His ability to collaborate with both technical and executive teams—combined with a strong belief in "leading without a title"—has made him a trusted advisor in digital transformation journeys.
He blends entrepreneurial drive, cross-functional leadership, and a deep understanding of how to align automation strategies with real business outcomes.
Speaker
Mei May Soo
Chief AI, Global Solution Specialist, Dell Technologies
Mei May is an accomplished AI leader with over 20 years of experience in Data Science and AI, recognized as the Top 10 CAIO, #1 Top AI Leader in APAC, Top 10 Women in Tech APAC, Top 50 Women Tech Leader in APAC, Top 10 AI Influencers and many more. As the lead of Dell Technologies’ AI/ML initiatives for Global Solutions Specialist, she works with customers to solve problems scientifically. Her team developed a Deep Learning model for coral conservation in the Great Barrier Reef, earning recognition in CIO World Asia, and won two Circle of Excellence awards for a Smart Fundraising machine learning model with a Singapore university.
Previously, Mei May led the data science team at Cisco Systems, emphasizing the importance of people in data-driven decisions. She effectively communicates complex concepts to stakeholders at all levels.
Passionate about diversity and inclusion, she leads Dell Technologies’ Women in Action employee resource group in Singapore, aiming for 50% of the global workforce and 40% of leaders to identify as women by 2030. She also champions the MentorConnect program, benefiting over 500 mentees from 15 partner companies.
Speaker
Michael Thavarajah
Principal Engineer, Inter Corporation
Michael is a Principal Engineer at Intel, bringing over 23 years of extensive experience in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. With a specialized focus on sort, assembly, and test manufacturing, he is at the forefront of driving transformative initiatives within the organization, leveraging AI and advanced automation to enhance operational efficiency and innovation.
In addition to his technical expertise, Michael is a passionate advocate for education and empowerment, serving as the leader of Intel's AI for Youth Program initiative in Malaysia. Through strategic partnerships with government agencies, he is dedicated to equipping Malaysian youth with the essential skill sets, mindsets, toolsets, and opportunities necessary to thrive in an AI-driven world.
Michael's commitment to integrating technology responsibly and impactfully shapes the future of both the semiconductor industry and the next generation of tech leaders.
Speaker
Mohamed Taher Mouni
Founder at Beyond 4.0, Founding Expert at Alliance for I4.0 and Smart Manufacturing in Africa (AISMA)
Mohamed Taher Mouni is a Moroccan industrial engineer with expertise as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Over the years, he has held key roles overseeing Performance and Industry 4.0 initiatives across sectors such as Aerospace, Automotive, and Pharma. With a decade of experience implementing IIoT for real-time monitoring in diverse industries, he has established himself as a leader in the field.
Additionally, he is a founding expert of the Alliance for Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing in Africa (AISMA), an initiative supported by UNIDO.
Speaker
Oscar Low
Director of Business Development, Talent Houz
Oscar Low is the Co-Founder of Talent Houz, an efficiency-driven workforce solutions partner with over 14 years of experience in recruitment, leadership, and workforce strategy. He has assisted more than 200 businesses in the manufacturing, retail, and transportation sectors, ranging from SMEs to MNCs, by providing personalized recruitment, staffing, and workforce management solutions to help them grow.
Speaker
Pratibha Kurnool
Head of Social Impact – Asia-Pacific and Japan, Cognizant
Pratibha Kurnool leads regional efforts to build an inclusive, AI-powered future workforce. She spearheads multi-sector collaborations to deliver AI and generative AI skilling programs. An active advocate for digital inclusion and purpose-led AI, she has impacted thousands in the public, private, and social sectors by enabling access to AI, data, and digital skills. Over the past two years, she has led Cognizant’s Gen AI Skills Program, bridging the AI divide and upskilling more than 6,000 students and working professionals with the skills, experiences, and resources to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital economy. Her work aligns with Cognizant’s broader commitment to digital talent development through the Synapse initiative, which aims to empower over one million individuals globally with cutting-edge technology skills, preparing them for the future of work.
She runs the #MagicMondays series on LinkedIn, spotlighting stories of #corporatepurpose, #AIforImpact, and #joyatwork.
Speaker
Dr. Praveena Nair Sivasankaran
Director, Clean Technology Impact Lab, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Innovation & Technology, Taylor’s University
Dr. Praveena is the Director of the Clean Technology Impact Lab at Taylor’s University, Malaysia. A dedicated advocate for sustainability, regenerative thinking, and mindful leadership, she brings over a decade of interdisciplinary experience at the intersection of engineering, environmental innovation, and mental well-being. Dr. Praveena actively fosters industry-academia-government collaborations to accelerate clean technology adoption and societal impact, empowering the next generation to drive meaningful, systemic change toward a sustainable future.
Speaker
Ravenna Chen
CEO, Intrinsic EO | Forbes China &36Kr Top 100 | CAST “Haizhi Expert"
Ravenna Chen is the CEO of Intrinsic EO and recognized as one of Forbes China's 100 Most Influential Chinese in 2023. She is an active participant in the Asian venture capital network, Global Outstanding POWER 100, and Dragon 100. She has been elected to speak at numerous United Nations and European Parliament Youth Events. As a Chinese representative at the APEC CEO Summit and an ambassador for Indonesia and Malaysia tourism, her influence extends globally.
Ravenna has co-founded a cross-border payment platform and a social beauty platform. She excels in incubating science and technology projects, cross-border business implementation, and strategic planning.
Speaker
Sakthivel Narayanasamy
Chairman, Quantum Computing (M) Sdn Bhd
Mr Sakthivel Narayanasamy is the Founder and Chairman of Quantum Computing Sdn Bhd, an automation solutions firm. He began his entrepreneurial journey with Galactic Advance Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd, a specialist in industrial automation and custom machinery. He is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Solar Galactic (M) Sdn Bhd.
With over 30 years of experience leading local and regional projects across diverse industries, Sakthi has developed a strong passion for engineering innovation. His desire to do things differently has been the driving force behind his entrepreneurial pursuits.
As his ventures and experience have expanded over the years, his focus has shifted towards delivering sustainable technology solutions for industrial and residential users. Recognizing the importance of ESG considerations, he continues to advocate for the adoption of more sustainable business practices driven by technology.
Academically, Sakthi holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering with Management from the University of Sunderland. He has also earned professional certifications in cybersecurity and photovoltaic system design, further enhancing his expertise in the field of automation and sustainable technology.
His entrepreneurial journey and his commitment to innovation have positioned him as a champion of sustainable technology solutions. His leadership and expertise in the field of automation and industrial solutions have helped shape the industry's trajectory towards a more environmentally conscious and technologically advanced future.
Speaker
Sam Majid
Chief Executive Officer, National AI Office Malaysia (NAIO)
Sam, a Research Master's graduate in Engineering from the University of Melbourne, Australia, is celebrated for his exceptional track record in digital transformation and growth. With over two decades of international experience, he has spearheaded innovative advancements across various industries, successfully bootstrapping startups and driving innovation within corporate and public sectors. His efforts have been recognized with prestigious awards from organizations such as GovInsider (Singapore), IDC (USA), APICTA (Malaysia), and iAwards (Australia). Passionate about leveraging technology and innovation, he is committed to creating a meaningful impact on society and the environment.
Speaker
Sookling Teh
Executive Director, Selangor Human Resources Development Centre
With over 18 years of experience in training and assessment, Ms. Teh Sook Ling brings a wealth of expertise and insight to the field of talent development. As the Executive Director of SHRDC, she is a results-driven leader known for her strategic management, commitment to quality, and strong industry collaboration both locally and internationally. Under her leadership, SHRDC has maintained high training standards through a robust quality management system and has played a pivotal role in advancing digital transformation in education. Her efforts have significantly impacted workforce development in the manufacturing sector, particularly in addressing the challenges of hiring and retaining top talent.
Speaker
Dr Wang Xin
Associate Professor, Monash University Malaysia
Dr. Wang Xin obtained her PhD from Nanyang Technological University. Currently, she is an Associate Professor at School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia. She also serves as the Director of International (China Engagement) within the School. Her research focuses on machine vision, laser sensing, optical metrology, deep learning, non-destructive testing, and structural health monitoring. Dr. Wang has authored two book chapters and published over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles. She is a Chartered Engineer with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), UK, and a Senior Member of the IEEE.
Tech Lab Speaker
Dr. Arshad Salema
Associate Professor & Course Director, Master of Applied Engineering program, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia
Dr. Arshad is an Associate Professor and Course Director for the Master of Applied Engineering program at the School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia. He is an accomplished academic and researcher specializing in clean and renewable energy, biomass, sustainable fuel and chemicals, microwave processing, and advanced materials for energy and health applications, collaborating with industrial partners such as Petronas, Prasarana, and Sime Darby, as well as government institutions like the Ministry of Higher Education. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pune, India, a Master’s in Chemical Engineering, a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and a postdoctoral fellowship from UNB, Canada. Dr. Arshad is a prolific author, publishing extensively in high-impact international journals and presenting at leading conferences.
Tech Lab Speaker
Farmie Bin Haripapbilah
Industrial Sector & Lifetime Solutions Manager, Schaeffler Malaysia
With over 12 years of experience in the industrial sector, Farmie has built a diverse career across various industries, including oil and gas, hydropower, cement, and pulp and paper. Leveraging his experiences as a Service Engineer at ABB and Marelli Motori, he now leads the Industrial Sector & Lifetime Solutions portfolio at Schaeffler, a global leader in motion technology. In his current role, he spearheads new sector penetration, manages key accounts, and drives revenue growth by championing Schaeffler’s innovative Industry 4.0 solutions.
Tech Lab Speaker
Kong Wai Weng
Principle Engineer, Cytron Technologies Sdn Bhd
With over 20 years of experience in embedded systems design, Kong is the principal engineer and designer behind Cytron’s popular motor drivers, Raspberry Pi RP2040/RP2350-based products, and the latest Raspberry Pi CM4/CM5 Industrial Controller. His expertise in circuit and PCB design has been central to building reliable and user-friendly solutions that power projects worldwide.
Tech Lab Speaker
Dr. Lim Chern Hong
IEEE Senior Member & Senior Lecturer, School of Information Technology, Monash University Malaysia
Dr. Lim Chern Hong is an IEEE Senior Member who received his Ph.D. and Bachelor (Hons) degrees in computer science, majoring in Artificial Intelligence, from the University of Malaya in 2015 and 2010, respectively. He is currently a Senior Lecturer at the School of Information Technology at Monash University Malaysia. Previously, he worked as a Senior Lecturer at Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology from 2016 to 2018 and as a Senior Associate Researcher at Telekom Research & Development Sdn Bhd from 2014 to 2015. He also held appointments as a visiting researcher at the University of Portsmouth, U.K. Recognized for his expertise and contributions to society, he served as Honorary Treasurer (2017), Secretary (2018), and Chairman (2019-2020) for the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society (Malaysia chapter). His research interests include artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision.
Tech Lab Speaker
Dr. Nik Nailah Binti Abdullah
Founder, CEO & Director, GreenSheart Sdn Bhd
Dr. Nik Nailah Binti Abdullah is the Founder, CEO, and Director of GreenSheart Sdn Bhd, a deep-tech AI start-up intersecting with digital health. With a PhD in Informatics (Summa Cum Laude) from University Montpellier II, France, she has over 10 years of expertise in artificial intelligence and cognitive science research.
She also serves as a Lecturer and Research Scientist at the School of Information Technology at Monash University Malaysia. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Informatics in Tokyo. She worked as a Project Manager for Medtronic Plc and held research positions at Open University (UK) and Mimos Berhad.
During her PhD, Dr. Abdullah developed the innovative "Activity States Framework" and holds a patent-pending technology for AI predictive cardiac systems. She has created digital clinical trial protocols for novel small data machine learning development that received national medical ethics approval.
Her notable speaking engagements include TEDx, Google Tech Talk at Mountain View, and "Technovisionaire" at the Year of Creativity Milano. She has managed significant healthcare partnerships between Medtronic and private hospitals and is currently engaged with Malaysia's Ministry of Health cardiac centers to develop integrated chronic disease management systems.
Dr. Abdullah's work bridges AI, cognitive science, and healthcare to improve patient outcomes through technological innovation.
Tech Lab Speaker
Praveen Suthan
Automation Engineer, Quantum Computing Sdn Bhd
SPS Stage Speakers
Heng Chin Wei
Assistant Sales Manager, SICK Sensor (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd
SPS Stage Speakers
Pan Chock Teck
Senior Solution Consultant, Belden
Mr. Pan brings over 15 years of expertise in IT and OT, specialising in network solutions for telecommunications and industrial automation. He leverages his experience to integrate technologies that optimise networks, drive efficiency, and lead transformative projects, contributing significantly to industrial digitalisation efforts.
SPS Stage Speakers
Rayleigh Chan
Smart Factory Assembly Project Manager, Bossard Asia Pacific
With a career spanning over 15 years in business development and project management, Rayleigh plays a pivotal role in driving the development and adoption of advanced Smart Factory Assembly solutions. He aims to empower manufacturers to transform their manual assembly processes into a digital and connected assembly, achieving greater productivity.
His deep understanding of Industry 4.0 challenges and opportunities is complemented by his direct involvement in several Smart Factory Assembly initiatives across the Asia Pacific region. Notably, he has overseen the successful implementation of Smart Factory Assembly for major international clients.
Looking toward Industry 5.0, Rayleigh strongly advocates for a human-centric approach. He believes in fostering collaboration between people and machines to harness human creativity and adaptability while also emphasizing sustainability and ethical considerations.
SPS Stage Speakers
Zuhdi Fauzi
Sales & Application Engineer, EETARP Power (M) Sdn Bhd