SHARING SESSION 2: Medical Students ASEAN NETWORK
YDP PERSIAP
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Malaysia Moderator
Speaker 1
Chulalongkorn Univeristy, Thailand
Speaker 2
National University of Singapore, Singapore
SHARING SESSION 2: Medical Students ASEAN NETWORK
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Malaysia Moderator
Chulalongkorn Univeristy, Thailand
National University of Singapore, Singapore
Professor Dr Alex Novak is a leading clinical academic driving the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into emergency and acute medicine. As Professor of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) and a Consultant at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, he bridges cutting-edge machine learning and frontline patient care. Heading Emergency Medicine Research Oxford (EMROx) and the ACUTECare Research team, his work focuses on validating AI-enhanced imaging algorithms directly within high-pressure clinical workflows. Affiliated with Trinity College Oxford, Dr Novak actively teaches and researches how deep learning diagnostics can accelerate triage, eliminate human error, and streamline diagnostic accuracy in emergency departments. His pioneering research ensures that emergent AI technologies translate into safe, ethical, and highly effective tools for clinical practice. Through these collaborative breakthroughs, Dr Novak shapes the future of AI-driven healthcare, establishing new benchmarks for digital innovation in critical care.
Professor Dr. Aini Suzana Datuk Hj Ariffin is a prominent Malaysian academic and global leader specializing in responsible technology governance and Science, Technology & Innovation policy. With over 37 years of experience, she serves as an Associate Professor at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and chairs the UNESCO-STEPAN network for the Asia-Pacific region. As a Fellow Expert at the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and Director of AI Policy at the Industrial Institute of Responsible AI, she has been instrumental in drafting Malaysia’s National AI Roadmap and ethical governance frameworks. Her academic foundation includes a PhD in STI Policy and Innovation Management from the University of Manchester, UK. Celebrated for her contributions to ethical technological advancement, she was recently honored with the prestigious 2025 Women in AI APAC Award for “AI for Social Good.” Dr. Aini Suzana continues to shape international AI standards and bridge the gap between digital innovation, sustainability, and public policy.
“Dr. Vinod Pallath, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Medical Education & Assessment at the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia. With over 22 years of experience in higher education, he has extensively contributed to medical education and microbiology fields.
Research Contributions and Projects: His research primarily focuses on medical education and medical microbiology. His research focuses on Competency-based Medical Education, Faculty Development, Professionalism, Leadership and Management, Technology-Enhanced Learning, and Student Support in medical education. As a trained Medical Microbiologist, he also teaches and conducts research in bacterial virulence, focusing on survival strategies in uropathogens. He is currently supervising doctoral research projects on these topics.”
“Associate Professor Dr. Therdpong Thongseiratch, M.D., M.Sc., is the Director of the Center of Health Professions Education Research and Innovations (CHERI) at the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University. An expert in developmental and behavioral pediatrics, he bridges clinical science and modern pedagogy to transform healthcare education across Southeast Asia. Dr. Therdpong holds a Master of Science in Health Professions Education from the University of Amsterdam, which anchors his leadership in transforming medical curricula. At CHERI, he spearheads the integration of artificial intelligence and digital innovations into clinical faculty training to enhance diagnostics and student reasoning. By leveraging design thinking, he leads the development of advanced e-learning ecosystems that prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. His work merges medical training with digital behavioral health initiatives, establishing him as a prominent voice in medical leadership, curriculum reform, and educational technology.”
“Associate Professor Dr. Therdpong Thongseiratch, M.D., M.Sc., is the Director of the Center of Health Professions Education Research and Innovations (CHERI) at the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University. An expert in developmental and behavioral pediatrics, he bridges clinical science and modern pedagogy to transform healthcare education across Southeast Asia. Dr. Therdpong holds a Master of Science in Health Professions Education from the University of Amsterdam, which anchors his leadership in transforming medical curricula. At CHERI, he spearheads the integration of artificial intelligence and digital innovations into clinical faculty training to enhance diagnostics and student reasoning. By leveraging design thinking, he leads the development of advanced e-learning ecosystems that prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. His work merges medical training with digital behavioral health initiatives, establishing him as a prominent voice in medical leadership, curriculum reform, and educational technology.”
“Profesor Dr. Mohd Juzaiddin Ab Aziz is a prominent Professor of Computer Science at the Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Renowned for his expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Software Engineering, he has driven critical technological advancements in higher education. Recognizing his leadership, UKM appointed him as its Chief Digital Officer (CDO) to spearhead the institution’s digital transformation and strategic tech integration. Over a distinguished career, his unwavering dedication to academic and administrative excellence earned him the prestigious UKM Excellent Service Award in 2003, 2013, and 2021. As a senior researcher within the Center for Software Technology and Management (SOFTAM), he focuses on language programming and intelligent systems. Professor Dr. Mohd Juzaiddin continues to shape the future of digital education in Malaysia, mentoring next-generation tech leaders while bridging academic research with impactful, real-world digital solutions.Profesor Dr. Mohd Juzaiddin Ab Aziz is a prominent Professor of Computer Science at the Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Renowned for his expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Software Engineering, he has driven critical technological advancements in higher education. Recognizing his leadership, UKM appointed him as its Chief Digital Officer (CDO) to spearhead the institution’s digital transformation and strategic tech integration. Over a distinguished career, his unwavering dedication to academic and administrative excellence earned him the prestigious UKM Excellent Service Award in 2003, 2013, and 2021. As a senior researcher within the Center for Software Technology and Management (SOFTAM), he focuses on language programming and intelligent systems. Professor Dr. Mohd Juzaiddin continues to shape the future of digital education in Malaysia, mentoring next-generation tech leaders while bridging academic research with impactful, real-world digital solutions.”
“Ts. Dr. Afnizanfaizal Abdullah is a seasoned Malaysian technology leader and AI expert currently serving as the Head of Innovation Commercialisation at the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI). With over 10 years of experience spanning academia, entrepreneurship, and industry, he spearheads critical national frameworks including the National AI Sandbox and the AI Infrastructure Enablement Initiative. A Professional Technologist (P.Tech) and Certified Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP), Dr. Afnizanfaizal specialises in AI ecosystem development, technology transfer, and national policy alignment. His background includes managing multi-million-dollar research projects, founding a successful AI startup, and mentoring over 2,000 students as a Senior Member of IEEE. He is dedicated to building scalable platforms that bridge research and industry, transforming local deep tech R&D into market-ready global solutions.Ts. Dr. Afnizanfaizal Abdullah is a seasoned Malaysian technology leader and AI expert currently serving as the Head of Innovation Commercialisation at the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (MRANTI). With over 10 years of experience spanning academia, entrepreneurship, and industry, he spearheads critical national frameworks including the National AI Sandbox and the AI Infrastructure Enablement Initiative. A Professional Technologist (P.Tech) and Certified Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP), Dr. Afnizanfaizal specialises in AI ecosystem development, technology transfer, and national policy alignment. His background includes managing multi-million-dollar research projects, founding a successful AI startup, and mentoring over 2,000 students as a Senior Member of IEEE. He is dedicated to building scalable platforms that bridge research and industry, transforming local deep tech R&D into market-ready global solutions.”
“Dr. Darran Foo is the Chief Medical Information Officer (APAC) for Heidi, an AI medical scribe and clinical documentation platform. He is also a specialist general practitioner practicing in Sydney, Australia, and a digital health leader focusing on safe, accountable AI integration in primary care.Dr. Darran Foo is the Chief Medical Information Officer (APAC) for Heidi, an AI medical scribe and clinical documentation platform. He is also a specialist general practitioner practicing in Sydney, Australia, and a digital health leader focusing on safe, accountable AI integration in primary care.”
“Amit Vithal is an entrepreneur and digital strategist, widely recognized as the Co-Founder and Chief of Growth (CGO) of Docquity, Southeast Asia’s largest professional network for verified healthcare professionals. Since co-founding the platform in 2015, he has spearheaded its user acquisition and international market development, scaling the network to connect over 400,000 doctors across multiple countries.With more than 15 years of experience in digital marketing, global sales, and cross-border operations, Amit specializes in building scalable technology ecosystems. At Docquity, he leads strategic partnerships with regional medical associations and drives the integration of generative AI tools to advance clinical research capabilities for physicians.An alumnus of Symbiosis International University, Amit previously co-founded the digital media venture Navam. Today, he remains a key figure in healthcare digital transformation, continuously bridging the medical knowledge gap through collaborative, tech-driven networks.”
“Zen Koh is a healthcare innovation leader and ecosystem builder working at the intersection of rehabilitation technology, strategic collaboration, education, and translational impact. He is the also the CEO of MotusAcademy and serves as a Managing Editor of the Journal of Rehabilitation Methods and Technologies (JRMT), alongside broader roles across the rehabilitation and neurotechnology ecosystem. His work focuses on connecting clinicians, engineers, researchers, institutions, and partners to accelerate the responsible adoption of rehabilitation technologies and to expand access through education, community, and mission-led initiatives.”
Prof. Dr. Ina Ismiarti binti Shariffuddin is a distinguished Professor of Paediatric Anaesthesiology and a premier medical educationist at Universiti Malaya (UM). She currently serves as the Head of the Medical Education and Research Development Unit (MERDU) at UM’s Faculty of Medicine, where she drives curriculum development, educational innovation, and instructional research. A strong advocate for advanced healthcare training, she recently earned a Master in Medical Education to complement her extensive clinical and academic background. Her dual expertise uniquely positions her to design innovative teaching frameworks that bridge complex clinical practice, such as paediatric liver transplantation, with robust academic pedagogy. Beyond internal faculty development, her leadership extends to regional clinical training, mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals, and advancing medical simulation technologies. Through her vision at MERDU, she continues to shape institutional education policy and elevate global standards in postgraduate medical instruction and student assessment methods.
“Associate Professor Dr. Nurul Alimah Binti Abdul Nasir serves as the Head of the Department of Medical Education (DoME) at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). With an academic foundation that includes a Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Universiti Malaya, alongside a PhD in Medicine and a Master of Medical Education from UiTM, she brings extensive expertise to her role. Dr. Nurul Alimah leads curriculum development, assessment strategies, and quality assurance processes to enhance medical training standards. Her research portfolio blends medical education with clinical sciences, focusing on ocular pharmacology, natural products, and innovative teaching methodologies like Outcome-Based Education (OBE). By driving institutional workshops, she ensures that UiTM’s medical programs align with global standards while equipping future doctors with essential clinical competencies. Her leadership continues to advance medical curriculum design and educational research excellence.”
“Professor Dr. Muhamad Saiful Bahri bin Yusoff is the Head of the Department of Medical Education at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). As a distinguished medical educator and researcher, he holds an MD, an MSc, and a PhD in Medical Education. Dr. Saiful is internationally recognized for his extensive work in curriculum design, psychometrics, and medical student well-being, particularly in measuring and managing psychological distress. He serves as the President of the Malaysian Association of Education in Medicine & Health Sciences (MAEMHS) and is the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Education in Medicine Journal. Throughout his career, he has published numerous peer-reviewed papers, developed validated psychological assessment tools, and spearheaded academic innovations to improve medical training standards. His dedication to fostering healthy, resilient learning environments continues to influence contemporary medical education policies and curriculum frameworks across Malaysia and the broader region.”
“Dr. Maheshwara Rao A/L Appannan is a distinguished Malaysian public health specialist and the current Director of the Digital Health Division at the Ministry of Health Malaysia. He holds an MBBS from the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, alongside a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) from the University of Malaya. Dr. Maheshwara achieved national prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as the visionary brain behind the MySejahtera application, Malaysia’s primary contact tracing and pandemic management tool. Throughout his career in the Disease Control Division’s emergency sectors, he has seamlessly bridged clinical medicine with cutting-edge technology. Today, he champions the modernization of Malaysia’s healthcare landscape by spearheading nationwide initiatives such as the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) rollout and Cloud-based Clinic Management Systems. As a leading voice in digital health policy, he actively advocates for health informatics, artificial intelligence integration, and robust data privacy frameworks.”
“Dr. Sylvia Hii is the visionary Founder and CEO of DGA Healthcare Group (formerly Digital A Plus Healthcare), a prominent next-generation medical holding company based in Malaysia. With over 20 years of experience in corporate leadership, digital transformation, and medical marketing across Southeast Asia, she is a leading advocate for Healthcare 4.0 and AI-driven medical ecosystems. Dr. Hii serves as the founding trustee and president of the Asia Innovative Healthcare Network (AIHN Berhad), fostering collaboration and technological integration across the regional healthcare sector. Her academic credentials include a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) in Healthcare Management from the Swiss School of Business Management Geneva and an MBA from the University of East London. Actively involved in national health panels and hackathons, her research specializes in customer-centric care journeys for aging populations. She continues to pioneer cross-border medical commerce and intelligence-integrated health systems across the APAC region.”
TBD
