Curtin Malaysia team triumphs at International Innovation ARSVOT Malaysia 2024

Miri, Sarawak – 8 August 2024 – An academic team from Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) has secured the prestigious Gold Award at the International Innovation Association for Researcher of Skills and Vocational Training (ARSVOT) Malaysia 2024 (IAM2024) for their ground-breaking project, ‘Cognitive Recall Revolution: Enhancing Pedagogy through Spaced Retrieval and Artificial Intelligence (AI)’.

Led by Dr. Christine Yeo, a senior lecturer in chemical and energy engineering, and supported by team members Mary Jenny Lim Yee Tiing, Dr. Fethma M. Nor, and Professor Agus Saptoro, the project received high praise for its innovative approach to revolutionising the learning and teaching process. The team’s work was recognised at a virtual event that brought together participants from around the globe, highlighting the significance of their contributions to educational innovation.

The project, funded by the Curtin Malaysia Teaching Support Fund (CMTS 2024, Round 1), aimed to transform the educational experience for first-year engineering students by integrating spaced retrieval practices with AI to create personalised learning experiences. Utilising the AI tool Edapp, the project demonstrated remarkable improvements in test grades, knowledge retention, and student engagement.

Dr. Yeo expressed her excitement about the project’s success, stating, “As the project leader, I am thrilled to witness the transformative potential of integrating spaced retrieval techniques with AI-driven tools in education. Our goal is to revolutionise how students retain and recall information, leading to deeper understanding and long-term mastery of their studies.”

Professor Tang Fu Ee, Dean of Learning and Teaching at Curtin Malaysia, commended the team’s efforts, saying, “Curtin Malaysia places the highest priority on its learning and teaching. We support our staff’s innovative learning and teaching practices and Scholarship of Learning and Teaching (iSoLT) through initiatives like the Curtin Malaysia Teaching Support Fund, which provides seed funds to support our academics in their teaching of complex and traditionally difficult units. This project’s success is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality education that engages and benefits our students.”

The theme of IAM2024, ‘Empowering Tomorrow: Pioneering the Future Through Innovative Technology’, resonated strongly with the project’s objectives. The event showcased how technology can be harnessed to improve educational outcomes, aligning perfectly with Curtin Malaysia’s mission to drive innovation and sustainability through research and education. The significant increase in student performance, from 64 per cent to 80 per cent, highlights the effectiveness of the project’s approach.

The event received support from partners such as MAS Giresources (MG), Uniglobal Education Academy, the Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation at Satbayev University in Kazakhstan, and Todox Digital Network, emphasising the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing educational innovation.

“As the world continues to embrace technology in education, projects like the ‘Cognitive Recall Revolution’ pave the way for a future where learning is more personalised, efficient, and effective. Congratulations to Dr. Christine Yeo and her team for their outstanding achievement,” said Professor Tang.

More information on Curtin Malaysia can be found at curtin.edu.my, or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

(R-L) The four members of the gold-winning team – Lim, Dr. Yeo, and Dr. Fethma and Prof Saptoro