Assist. Prof. Dr. Kah Ong Michael Goh | Computer Science | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor from Multimedia University | Malaysia

Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Goh Kah Ong Michael is a prominent academician and innovator in the field of Artificial Intelligence, particularly known for his contributions to biometrics, computer vision, image processing, and smart city systems. He is currently serving as an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Information Science and Technology (FIST), Multimedia University (MMU), Malaysia. His professional journey spans over two decades, beginning as a tutor and progressively advancing to senior academic roles, including a tenure as Deputy Dean for Student Affairs and Alumni. Dr. Goh’s work focuses on practical, high-impact research that integrates AI into real-world applications such as traffic management, intelligent authentication, and urban system automation. A hands-on technologist, he has built strong industry ties and led collaborative research projects involving government and private sectors. His accomplishments include numerous international awards and publications, reflecting his ability to merge theoretical depth with applied innovation. Dr. Goh’s contributions extend beyond academia through leadership roles, student mentoring, and his involvement in technology exhibitions and innovation showcases. With an ever-evolving research agenda, he continues to be a valuable contributor to Malaysia’s technological advancement and is a role model for aspiring researchers in AI and computer science.

Professional Profile

Scopus Profile | ORCID Profile | Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Michael Goh pursued all his higher education at Multimedia University (MMU), Malaysia, reflecting a strong and continuous academic association with the institution. He earned his Bachelor of Information Technology (Hons.), majoring in Software Engineering. This undergraduate foundation in software development provided him with a firm grounding in computational thinking and programming. He then obtained his Master of Science in Information Technology by Research, where he began to delve into research-oriented activities, focusing on emerging areas in digital systems and human-computer interaction. His academic progression culminated in the completion of his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Information Technology by Research. His doctoral work emphasized advanced topics in biometrics and contactless identity recognition, a theme that would continue to define his professional research identity. Throughout his academic journey, Dr. Goh has demonstrated exceptional scholarly dedication and subject mastery, which laid the groundwork for his teaching, supervision, and innovative research contributions at MMU. His educational background, centered on a research-intensive model, reflects the synthesis of academic theory and practical innovation that characterizes his work today.

Experience

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Goh Kah Ong Michael has a well-established professional history with Multimedia University, Malaysia, spanning over two decades. He began his career as a Tutor at the Faculty of Information Science & Technology (FIST). He was appointed as a Lecturer and elevated to Senior Lecturer. He served as Deputy Dean of Student Affairs and Alumni, where he provided strategic leadership in academic administration and student engagement. He also had an industrial attachment with Heathmetrics Sdn Bhd, fostering industry-academic collaboration and applying academic research to practical applications. This rich blend of academic and industry experience has honed his capabilities in academic governance, curriculum development, student mentorship, and real-world technology deployment. His ongoing role as Associate Professor continues to leverage his expertise in AI, biometrics, and software development. Through his involvement in university committees, innovation competitions, and cross-institutional collaboration, Dr. Goh demonstrates a commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and societal impact, making him a vital contributor to both MMU and Malaysia’s wider research ecosystem.

Research Interest

Dr. Goh’s research interests encompass a wide spectrum of areas within Artificial Intelligence and digital systems engineering. A significant portion of his work is dedicated to contactless biometric technologies, especially those using palm vein, palm print, and finger vein recognition. These technologies are integral to secure authentication systems and form the core of his early and ongoing research. He has also extensively explored video analytics, pattern recognition, image processing, and data classification for security, healthcare, and smart city applications. One of his signature projects, the “Smart Traffic Impact Assessment System”, represents a major advancement in urban AI, combining real-time data analysis with predictive modeling. Another domain of interest is gait recognition and spatiotemporal feature extraction, applied to age-based classification systems using AI algorithms. His interdisciplinary approach blends software engineering with signal processing and machine learning, leading to innovative tools with societal benefits. Additionally, he is actively engaged in research around reinforcement learning for dynamic pricing systems, integrating AI with economics. Dr. Goh’s projects reflect a strong application-driven research philosophy, pushing boundaries in how AI can be embedded into everyday environments for efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

Research Skills

Dr. Goh possesses a diverse and advanced set of research skills that have been instrumental in developing intelligent digital solutions. His core technical proficiencies include AI modeling, deep learning, video analytics, and multimodal data fusion, particularly in biometric systems. He is highly skilled in software and application development, with extensive experience in developing both academic prototypes and deployable commercial systems. His expertise also extends to database design and management, essential for handling large-scale biometric and visual data. He has a strong command over object recognition and pattern classification techniques using AI and machine learning frameworks. Dr. Goh is also experienced in reinforcement learning algorithms, used in his dynamic pricing and smart city projects. On the academic side, he is adept at writing research proposals, publishing in high-impact journals, and presenting findings at international conferences. His collaborative skills are evidenced by successful multi-author book chapters and interdisciplinary project leadership. Moreover, he excels in mentoring postgraduate students and coordinating innovation competitions. With this unique combination of programming, analytical, leadership, and project management skills, Dr. Goh consistently delivers impactful, high-quality research.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Goh has received numerous awards and recognitions at national and international levels, affirming his excellence in research and innovation. Most notably, he was awarded the ITEX SPECIAL MINDS Thematic Award 2024 and a Gold Medal for his “Smart Traffic Impact Assessment System” at the International Invention, Innovation, Technology Exhibition (ITEX). He also earned multiple accolades for “CloudPark – The Smart City Parking Solution,” including gold medals and top placements in PROCOM and Infineon competitions. His consistent success in innovation is further illustrated  for biometric systems, video puzzle learning tools, and intelligent scanning devices. he received the Outstanding Research Award from Multimedia University, a testament to his sustained scholarly contribution. Earlier recognitions, including the Silver Medal at ITEX for “Palm’n Go – A Touchless Biometric System”, mark the beginning of his decorated research journey. Dr. Goh’s portfolio of over 18 innovation awards highlights his commitment to creating solutions that are both technically robust and socially impactful. These accolades validate his role as a thought leader in biometric AI and smart systems research.

Publication Top Notes

• “An automated palmprint recognition system”, Image and Vision Computing, 2005 – Cited 396.

• “PalmHashing: a novel approach for cancelable biometrics”, Information Processing Letters, 2005 – Cited 255.

• “Touch-less palm print biometrics: Novel design and implementation”, Image and Vision Computing, 2008 – Cited 245.

• “Facial expression recognition using a hybrid CNN–SIFT aggregator”, International Workshop on Multi-disciplinary Trends in Artificial Intelligence, 2017 – Cited 198.

• “Palmprint recognition with PCA and ICA”, Proc. Image and Vision Computing New Zealand, 2003 – Cited 163.

Conclusion

Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Goh Kah Ong Michael stands as a shining example of how academic rigor, technological innovation, and community engagement can converge to make a lasting impact. His career is marked by groundbreaking contributions in AI-driven biometrics and smart city solutions, with practical outputs recognized at the highest levels through international innovation awards. As a mentor, educator, and innovator, he continues to shape the future of information technology and digital systems in Malaysia and beyond. His research not only addresses complex technical challenges but also offers scalable solutions that benefit society, including urban traffic management and secure identification technologies. With his impressive publication record, long-term academic service, and forward-looking research agenda, Dr. Goh is well-positioned to assume future leadership roles in research policy, international collaboration, and higher education development. His contributions exemplify excellence in research translation and academic leadership, making him a deserving candidate for international recognition and continued advancement in the global research landscape.