Elsevier-Borneo Higher Education Research Summit 2025

Innovating through ideas: Bridging research and impact

The Elsevier-Borneo Higher Education Research Summit 2025 is a premier gathering of Vice Chancellors, Deputy Vice Chancellors, Academic & Research Leaders, Lecturers, and Library Directors committed to advancing research excellence and societal impact. Hosted in partnership with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, the summit will take place on 12 July 2025 at Hilton Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

This summit serves as a dynamic platform for thought leaders to explore the latest trends in AI-driven research ideation, research impact, and innovation, while fostering collaboration to drive meaningful change in academia and beyond.

Summit information

Venue: Hilton Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Date: 12 July 2025

Time: 9.00am - 17.15pm (Registration starts at 8.00am)

Borneo: A region of growth and innovation

As one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, Borneo is at the intersection of cultural heritage, environmental sustainability, and economic development. Home to Malaysia’s Sabah and Sarawak states, Brunei, and Indonesia’s Kalimantan, the region is rapidly emerging as a hub for sustainable innovation and research-driven progress.

The Elsevier-Borneo Higher Education Research Summit 2025 is designed to support Borneo’s growth by:

Advancing Research & Innovation – Strengthening the region’s research ecosystem with cutting-edge insights and technology.
Fostering Sustainable Development – Showcasing research’s role in eco-tourism, cultural preservation, and economic growth.
Building Strategic Partnerships – Connecting academia, industry, and policymakers to create lasting impact.

Why attend?

Gain insights into the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in research ideation
Discover strategies for driving research from ideation to innovation
Explore how research can contribute to sustainable tourism and cultural heritage preservation
Engage with leading experts on research excellence and societal impact
Network with top decision-makers in academia and research

Join us in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah for an inspiring exchange of ideas, collaboration, and discovery.

Stay tuned for more details on registration and program updates.

Agenda

08.00 am – 09.00 am	Event Registration
09.00 am - 09.10 am	Welcoming Speech Prof. Datuk Dr. Kassim Hj Mansor, Vice Chancellor, Universiti Malaysia Sabah
09.10 am - 09.40 am	Opening Speech & Official Opening Ceremony YB Ts. Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia
09.40 am - 09.50 am	Group Photo session
09.50 am - 10.20 am	Morning Tea Break
10.20 am - 11.00 am	Elsevier Keynote Session: – From Research to Impact: Telling the Story Dr. Anders Karlsson, Vice President, Global Strategic Networks - APAC, Elsevier
11.00 am – 11.30 pm	Plenary Session 1: Artificial Intelligence for Research Ideation Prof. Dr. Mohd Shahir Shamsir RTTP, Bioscience Department, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
11.30 am – 11.40 pm	Q&A Session 1
11.40 pm – 12.10 pm	Plenary Session 2: Plenary Session 2: Driving Ideation to Innovation: A Roadmap for Purposeful Research Impact Associate Professor Dr. Tham Chau Ling, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia
12.10 pm – 12.20 pm	Q&A Session2
12.30 pm - 2.00 pm	Lunch and Networking
02.00 pm – 2.30 pm	Plenary Session 3: Innovative Research Driving Sustainable Tourism: Bridging Cultural Heritage and Economic Growth Associate Professor Dr. Fiffy Hasnida, Institute for Tropical Biology & Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah
02.30 pm – 02.40 pm	Q&A Session 3
02.40 pm – 03.10 pm	Plenary Session 4: Topic to be announced Dr. Abdul Hanif Mahadi, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Vice President (Research, Innovation and Sustainability), Universiti Brunei Darussalam
03.10 pm – 03.20 pm	Q&A Session 4
03.20 pm – 04.00 pm	Coffee Break and Networking
04.00 pm – 04.45 pm	Panel Discussion: Excellence Ideas and Societal Impact Moderator: Dr. Anders Karlsson, Vice President of Global Strategic Networks, Asia Pacific at Elsevier Panelist 1: YB Ts. Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia Panelist 2: Professor Datuk ChM. Ts. Dr. Taufiq Yap Yun Hin, Head of Catalysis Science and Technology Research Centre, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia Panelist 3: Professor Dr. Ahmad Hata bin Rasit, Vice Chancellor, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
04.45 pm – 05.00 pm	Q&A Panel Session
05.00 pm – 05.15 pm	Closing Speech Mr. Omar Malik, Regional Director, Southeast Asia & ANZ, Elsevier