12 December 2025
22 September 2025
Department of Physics Publishes in Classical and Quantum Gravity →
10 September 2025
15 July 2025
20 September 2023
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Prof. Wang Changsong Publishes Research on Ne Zha 2 in Animation
The Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Prof. Dr. Wang Changsong from the School of Communication (SOC), Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM), on recent publication of a research article in Animation, an AHCI Q1 journal with the latest impact factor of 0.5.Ne Zha 2 is the highest-grossing animated film worldwide and the first film from an Asian country to break into the top five of the global box office. Centered on the Chinese mythological figure Ne Zha, the film has garnered acclaim for both its technical sophistication and powerful narrative design.The article, entitled “Reimagining Myth and Ideology in Ne Zha 2: A Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis”, examines how the animated film constructs and communicates ideological narratives. Drawing on apparatus theory and Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA), the study investigates both the film's technical and institutional apparatuses and their roles in shaping its ideological meanings. Through an analysis of visual storytelling, character development, and the reinterpretation of Chinese mythology, the research explores the relationship between animation, ideology, and cultural representation in contemporary Chinese society. It also considers the role of Chinese animation in cultural translation and the international communication of cultural values.The full article is available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/17468477261474069Prof. Wang Changsong serves as the Dean of the School of Communication and the Director of the Centre for ASEAN and Chinese Screen Studies (CACSS) at XMUM. His research focuses on Asian cinema, Chinese film, and transnational media flows, with publications in both Chinese and English.
Two XMUM Academics Receive National Academic Awards 2026
The Research and Postgraduate Centre congratulates Prof. Dr. Ong Wee Jun and Prof. Ir. Dr. Yong Wai Fen from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM), on receiving the National Academic Award (Anugerah Akademik Negara, AAN) 2026, presented by Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). Prof. Dr. Ong Wee Jun was honoured with the Promising Academic Award, while Prof. Ir. Dr. Yong Wai Fen received the Journal Paper Publication Award – Science Category.The award ceremony was held on 30 October 2026 in Klang, Selangor, and officiated by YB Dato' Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir, Minister of Higher Education.Established in 2006, the AAN represents MOHE's highest recognition of outstanding academic achievements in Malaysia. The awards celebrate excellence in teaching, research and innovation, while highlighting the vital role of universities in advancing the nation's academic and societal development.Prof. Dr. Ong Wee Jun receives the Promising Academic Award 2026 from YB Dato' Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd KadirProf. Ir. Dr. Yong Wai Fen receives the Journal Paper Publication Award – Science Category from YB Dato' Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd KadirThe Promising Academic Award recognises Prof. Dr. Ong Wee Jun as a talented academic who exhibits high potential and excels holistically in teaching and learning as well as research, leadership and solidarity at the national and/or international levels, while the Journal Paper Publication Award recognises Prof. Ir. Dr. Yong Wai Fen’s outstanding contributions to scientific research and scholarly publication.Reflecting on the award, Prof. Dr. Ong Wee Jun said: "I am deeply honoured to receive the Promising Academic Award, which reflects not just individual effort but the collective support of my mentors, colleagues, and students. This recognition belongs to all of you!"He said the recognition also served as a responsibility and motivation to continue advancing green hydrogen for rural electrification, nurturing young Malaysian talent and translating research into practical technologies.Prof. Dr. Ong Wee Jun at poster boothProf. Ir. Dr. Yong Wai Fen shared her gratitude to MOHE, XMUM management, her supervisors, mentors, colleagues, collaborators, research team and family for their support throughout her academic journey. She described the award as one of the most meaningful moments in her career, emphasising that the achievement reflected the collective efforts of many people.Prof. Ir. Dr. Yong Wai Fen at poster boothYB Dato' Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir, Datuk Prof. Dr. Azlinda Azman and Prof. Dato' Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Mohamed visited both Prof. Dr. Ong Wee Jun' and Prof. Ir. Dr. Yong Wai Fen's booth after the award ceremonyAssoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Wee Chen, also from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, received the National Academic Award (AAN) 2025 in the Journal Paper Publication – Science Category (https://www.xmu.edu.my/school-energy-and-chemical-engineering/posts/new…).Prof. Dr. Ong Wee Jun is the Assistant Dean of School of Energy and Chemical Engineering and the Director of Centre of Excellence for NaNo Energy & Catalysis Technology (CONNECT) at XMUM. His research interests include nanomaterials for photo(electro)catalytic and electrochemical H2O splitting, CO2 reduction, H2O2 synthesis, nitrate-to-ammonia, alcohol oxidation and organic synthesis as well as microwave plasma methane cracking for graphene and hydrogen production.Prof. Ir. Dr. Yong is the Head of Postgraduate Programmes (Chemical Engineering) at the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, as well as Director of the Centre of Excellence for Green and Advanced Technologies in Efficient Separations (GATES). Her research focuses on sustainable materials and advanced membrane and separation technologies for carbon capture, biogas separation, air purification and water treatment.For more information:NSTSinar HarianBERNAMAFacebook (YB Dato' Seri Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir)Sin Chew DailyGuang Ming DailyNanyang Siang PauChine Press
Advertising Lecturers Win Silver Award at International Putra InnoCreative Carnival 2026
Three lecturers from the School of Communication at Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM), Dr. Nur Widad Roslan, Dr. Muhammad Irsyad Zulkifli and Mr. Surendev Singh, won a Silver Award in the Putra InnoCreative Poster Competition at the 8th International Putra InnoCreative Carnival in Teaching and Learning (I-PICTL) 2026 × SULAM@UPM Carnival 2026.Held on 14–15 September 2026 at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), the international event was organised by UPM's Centre for Academic Leadership and Development Excellence (CADe-Lead). The 2026 edition attracted more than 350 entries from Malaysia and abroad, providing a competitive platform for educators and academics to showcase innovations in teaching and learning.The team’s research explores the growing role of “Edufluencers”, social media content creators who share educational knowledge on topics such as health, financial literacy, sustainability, digital citizenship and lifelong learning. As short-form videos on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram Reels become increasingly influential, the study examines how educational content can make knowledge more accessible, engaging and meaningful beyond traditional classrooms.Using qualitative content analysis of educational content produced by 10 prominent Malaysian social media influencers, the study investigates their communication strategies, content formats, audience engagement practices and approaches to credible educational communication. A key contribution of the research is its proposed Edufluencer Content Guideline, a practical framework designed to help educators, content creators and community organisations develop educational content that is engaging, credible, ethical, inclusive and socially impactful. By emphasising accuracy, transparency and responsible communication, the guideline aims to encourage more effective use of social media for service learning, community engagement and lifelong learning.