“Fall Forward”: The AI Visionary Bridging Lab and Industry
- UM Research
- Dec 9
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Associate Prof. Ts. Dr. Aznul Qalid Bin Md Sabri
Department of Artificial Intelligence,
Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology
Area of Expertise:
Artificial Intelligence > Machine Learning / Deep Learning / Computer Vision > AI in Healthcare, Industrial Applications of AI
Beyond the Journal
Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Aznul Qalid Md Sabri is not a researcher who keeps his work locked away in journals. As an Associate Professor at the Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FSKTM), Universiti Malaya, he leads both the Malaya AI Research Group and the Centre of Excellence on Value Creation & Enterprise under the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation).
His mission is clear: to ensure that artificial intelligence moves beyond academic papers into practical tools that transform industries, save lives, and guide national policy.
A Global Journey in AI
His journey began at SMK Raja Ali in Kuala Lumpur, where he completed his SPM before pursuing matriculation in Physical Science, at Negeri Sembilan Matriculation College. He entered UM to study for a Bachelor of Computer Science in Artificial Intelligence, completing the programme in just six semesters between 2003 and 2006. From there, he became an Erasmus Mundus scholar in the Master in Vision & Robotics programme, studying across Heriot-Watt University in the United Kingdom, the University of Girona in Spain, and the University of Bourgogne in France, before completing a research internship in Brisbane, Australia. This global exposure deepened his understanding of computer vision and robotics, and in 2009, he embarked on a joint PhD with École des Mines and the University of Picardy Jules Verne in France. His three and a half years in the country grounded him in the collaborative, multicultural approach that defines much of his work today.
Industry Roots and Academic Calling
Before joining academia, Dr. Aznul worked for a year as a software developer at Corentix Technologies, an AI startup specialising in face recognition and biometric solutions. This AI industry experience would later become the foundation for his commitment to research commercialisation. When he returned to UM as a lecturer in October 2013, he began teaching first-year programming and encouraged his students to build tangible portfolios. His mantra, “data is the new oil,” was instilled in them long before it became a popular catchphrase. He then challenged himself to practise what he preached, leading to his role as one of the founding members of FSKTM Technovations, FSKTM’s business pod under UM Innovations, which provided a platform for academics to bring products and services to the market.
Turning Research into Real-World Impact
Dr. Aznul’s expertise lies in applying artificial intelligence, particularly computer vision, machine learning, and deep learning, to solve high-impact problems. In the industrial sphere, he developed an automotive quality-control inspection system for PERODUA, which is deployed daily at production sites to ensure precision and reduce defects. He also was part of the team that spearheaded the deployment of a chatbot for the Ministry of Higher Education before the era of generative AI, a system that remains in use to this day.
In healthcare, his academic research focuses on autism detection and profiling, as well as colorectal cancer classification through non-invasive analysis of fecal samples, in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine. This latter approach offers an alternative to invasive biopsies and blood tests, improving patient comfort and accessibility. His research into autism carries a deeply personal significance, as his eldest son is autistic, making the work not just an academic pursuit but a personal mission to improve diagnosis and support systems.
Funding, Grants, and Collaboration
Over the years, his projects have been supported by significant funding and collaborations. Among these is a Ministry of Higher Education consortium project titled “Data and Platform Demonstration Using Self-Intelligence,” which involved UTM, UTeM, and UM, and was valued at approximately RM400,000, with UM’s share around RM100,000, where Dr. Aznul served as satellite lead. He secured an industrial grant for Retail.AI, a demand forecasting solution and obtained a Malaysia–France collaboration grant to advance AI in healthcare, particularly in autism. His TRGS grant-supported colorectal cancer classification project formed part of a larger group grant approaching RM1 million. While he acknowledges that some official portals no longer display past grant details, these achievements reflect his sustained success in securing competitive funding for research with tangible outcomes.
Driving Industry and National Transformation
Industry engagement is a defining feature of his career. He has worked with Cognitive Consulting Sdn. Bhd. to provide AI advisory services with a focus on robotic process automation (RPA), and partnered with SkyWorld to fund final-year projects that produced a customised chatbot for the company. Beyond corporate collaborations, he holds prominent national and regional roles, serving as an Associate Member of the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and as AI Strategic Advisor to MRANTI. The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) commissioned him to conduct a needs analysis on AI across its member economies. His expertise has been sought by national media, with appearances on platforms such as TV3 and Astro, where he has brought AI discussions into public awareness. At UM, he has also served as Director of Innovation & Enterprise (UMCIE), working to align academic research with technology transfer and commercialization goals.
“Start with a mission to give back to society and find unique identity for making an impact.” – says Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Aznul Qalid Md Sabri.
Values that Shape a Visionary
Dr. Aznul’s values are rooted in a drive to push Malaysia from being merely a consumer of technology to becoming a creator of innovations that others adopt. This determination comes in part from his upbringing; his father, a disciplined army man, taught him that even being the best in school was not enough if one was not striving to be the best in the country. A defining moment came during a promotion interview when IEEE Fellow Prof. Susanto asked, “What is your biggest contribution, to mankind?” That question became a touchstone for Dr. Aznul, a constant reminder to measure his work by the value it delivers to society. He also recognises the importance of humility in academia, especially when transitioning from PhD student to lecturer and supervisor, acknowledging what one does not know and learning from industry in order to remain relevant and impactful.
Entrepreneurship and the Future
Entrepreneurship is central to his vision for the future. He founded Fylix Sdn. Bhd. a UM spin-off that delivers customised AI solutions, with UM holding a 20% stake. He hopes to see FSKTM emulate the ecosystems of institutions like Stanford and MIT, where the university is not only an academic leader but also a hub for successful spin-offs that fuel innovation. His guiding philosophy, summed up in the phrase “fall forward,” reflects his belief in embracing opportunities without fear, viewing even failure as progress toward his goals.
“AI is not just about building smarter machines, it is about creating a smarter, more capable nation”-says Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Aznul Qalid Md Sabri.
Message to the Next Generation
To young researchers, his message is to start with a mission to give back to society. He encourages them to find their unique identity for making an impact, as he has through commercialisation and entrepreneurship.
For Dr. Aznul, AI is not just about building smarter machines, it is about creating a smarter, more capable nation. His career shows how expertise, when combined with industry collaboration and personal passion, can bridge the gap between knowledge and real-world change.
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Researcher featured:
Associate Prof. Ts. Dr. Aznul Qalid Bin Md Sabri
Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Malaya - https://umexpert.um.edu.my/aznulqalid
Founder of the Fylix Sdn. Bhd. - https://www.fylix.my/
For inquiries, please contact:
T: 03-79676308
Author:
Ms Puungkodi Paramasivam
Puungkodi Paramasivam is a fast-track PhD candidate at the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, who finds solace and purpose in writing amidst the challenges of academic research. This is her third contribution to the UM Research Bulletin, a platform she values for showcasing groundbreaking work while allowing her to channel her creativity. Writing, she says, serves as a positive distraction from the demands of her PhD journey, enabling her to engage meaningfully with diverse fields of study. Proud to be an author under the UM Research Bulletin, Puungkodi continues to highlight innovative research and inspire others with her thoughtful narratives.
Copyedit:
Siti Farhana Bajunid Shakeeb Arsalaan Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, UM
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