Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­

2024

23 Dec

Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ valedictorian embarks on AI-driven cancer research

KUALA LUMPUR: The global pandemic forced Lim Zhi Min to stop working on airplanes. But she soared to new heights at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ University¡¯s sixth convocation ceremony of 2024 after trading the runway for the AI lab.

Addressing the Class of 2024 as valedictorian, the former aircraft maintenance technician showed how one can bounce back from career setbacks and thrive in new fields.

¡°All air travel was grounded, borders were closed, and my company was forced to downsize,¡± she said. ¡°I was 22 and I decided to use the downtime to pursue computer engineering at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­.

¡°Apart from the prospect of a pandemic-proof career, I was inspired by the ways computer engineering and AI have changed the world.¡±

And Zhi Min is seeking to do that with her PhD studies at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­. Her focus: Optimising AI algorithms to improve cancer treatment using microwave-based hyperthermia treatment.

With AI, microwave beams target cancer cells with far greater precision, leaving healthy cells unharmed.

¡°The objective is to automate the process and negate potential errors associated with manual adjustments,¡± she explained.

¡°This would improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients and spur the development of more affordable non-invasive treatment options, enhancing patient accessibility in the long run.¡±

Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ University vice-chancellor and president Prof Emerita Datuk Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir expressed, ¡°At Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­, we always encourage our students to stay ahead of technological advancements.

¡°The rise of AI presents our students with vast opportunities, and I'm glad to see our students, like Lim, embracing them.

The University is proud to support such forward-thinking research.¡±

Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­¡¯s sixth convocation ceremony brought the total number of graduates to 3,907 for the year.

The procession of the convocation ceremony was held in the presence of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ University council chairman and founder Dato' Peter Ng and Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Healthcare Group chairman Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

Ranked in the world¡¯s top 1% in the QS World University Rankings 2025 by virtue of its top 265 ranking, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ University stands out as one of Asia¡¯s top private universities.