The Department of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Syiah Kuala successfully organized a series of academic activities under the EQUITY Visiting Top Professor Program 2026 featuring Professor Ts. Dr. Muhammad Hisyam Lee, FASc FAPM from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
The program aimed to strengthen international academic collaboration, broaden participants’ perspectives on emerging statistical and artificial intelligence applications, and enhance research and publication capacity among students and lecturers.
The first activity, “Sharing Session 1: From Data to Intelligence: AI Applications and Career Pathways for Future Statisticians,” was held on 18 May 2026 at the Theater Room of FMIPA USK. The session was attended by approximately 100 first-year students from the Department of Statistics. During the session, Professor Hisyam introduced various applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in statistical science and discussed future career opportunities for statisticians in the era of data-driven decision making and digital transformation. Participants showed high enthusiasm throughout the session and actively engaged in discussions and quizzes conducted by the speaker.
The second activity, “Guest Lecture 1: Statistical Process Control in Industry 4.0: From Classical Methods to Intelligent Quality Systems,” was conducted on 19 May 2026 at the Smart Classroom FMIPA USK. This session specifically targeted students who had completed the Statistical Process Control (SPC) course and was attended by 15 selected participants. The lecture explored the evolution of SPC methods in Industry 4.0, including intelligent quality monitoring systems, automation, and AI-assisted industrial analytics. The interactive atmosphere encouraged active participation, with students enthusiastically joining quizzes and discussions related to real industrial case studies.
Another important activity in the program was “Sharing Session 2: AI for Academics: A Practical Guide to Efficient and Ethical Research Writing,” held on 20 May 2026 at FMIPA USK and attended by around 40 senior students. In this session, Professor Hisyam discussed the responsible and ethical use of AI tools in academic writing and research activities. Participants were introduced to practical strategies for improving research efficiency, literature exploration, manuscript preparation, and publication readiness while maintaining academic integrity and ethical standards. The students participated actively during the session, especially during the quiz and interactive discussion segments.
The final activity, “Guest Lecture 2: Winning the Scopus Q1 Publication Game: Strategy, Positioning, and Research Impact,” was held at the Senate Room of FMIPA USK and attended by approximately 35 lecturers from various departments within FMIPA Universitas Syiah Kuala. During the session, Professor Hisyam shared valuable insights regarding strategies for publishing in reputable Scopus Q1 journals, including research positioning, identifying novelty, manuscript preparation, publication ethics, and improving research visibility and impact. Participants actively engaged in discussions related to publication challenges, international collaboration opportunities, and strategies to enhance research productivity in higher education institutions.
In addition to the guest lecture, a short discussion session was also conducted with young lecturers from the Department of Statistics. The discussion focused on research development, future academic and career planning, international collaboration opportunities, and motivation for early-career academics in pursuing research excellence and global academic competitiveness.
The Visiting Top Professor Program created an interactive and inspiring academic atmosphere throughout all sessions. Through discussions, quizzes, and direct interaction with an internationally recognized scholar from UTM, participants gained valuable international perspectives and practical insights relevant to both academic and professional development.
Prof. Dr. Zurnila Marli Kesuma, Head of the Department of Statistics FMIPA Universitas Syiah Kuala, expressed her appreciation for the successful implementation of the program. She stated that the activity provided valuable international exposure for students and lecturers, particularly in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, industrial statistics, and international scientific publication.
“This program is expected to motivate our students and lecturers to continuously improve their academic capacity, strengthen international collaboration, and actively contribute to global research and innovation,” she explained.
The program reflects the Department of Statistics FMIPA USK’s commitment to internationalization, academic excellence, and capacity strengthening in statistics, data science, and research innovation. The department hopes that this initiative will inspire students and lecturers to pursue global academic opportunities and encourage future collaborative activities between Universitas Syiah Kuala and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.