Growing smarter from the ground up
From left to right: Dr Dana Amirthalingam (CEO of Neoaktif) and Professor Dato’ Dr Ir Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan (Vice President of Research and Development at Monash University Malaysia.
The university formalised a new research collaboration with Neoaktif Sdn. Bhd. on 16 January 2026, marking the start of a joint initiative to advance smart and sustainable urban agriculture through applied research and industry partnership.
Representatives from the university included Professor Dato’ Dr Ir Faisal Rafiq Mahamad Adikan (Vice President of Research & Development at Monash University Malaysia), Professor Anthony Guo (Head of School of Engineering and IT), Associate Professor Ir Dr Yu-Gang Shee (Director of Research Excellence), Professor Chai Siang Piao (Deputy Head of School (Research), School of Engineering), Professor Sudharshan N Raman (Head of the Department of Civil Engineering), Associate Professor M.E. Raghunandan (Project Leader and Deputy Director of the Monash Climate Resilient Infrastructure (M-CRinfra) Research Hub), and members of the research team, alongside student representatives. Neoaktif Sdn. Bhd. was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Dana Amirthalingam.
Associate Professor M.E. Raghunandan, who leads the research initiative, was first invited to share the project’s vision. He outlined how the collaboration emerged from discussions on urban heat, sustainability, and the need for smarter agricultural practices in urban environments. He explained that the project will deploy a network of sensors to monitor soil and environmental conditions, enabling data-driven irrigation and fertiliser control. Speaking next, Professor Anthony Guo mentioned the importance of industry engagement in translating research into real societal impact. “Engineering research has the greatest value when it solves real problems for our communities and industries,” he said.
Professor Dato’ Dr Ir Faisal Rafiq Mahamad Adikan followed up with remarks on the role of collaborative research in addressing complex environmental challenges. “Partnerships like this allow us to combine academic expertise with industry insight,” he said. “By working together, we can develop solutions that are not only innovative but also practical and aligned with national and global sustainability priorities.”
Dr Dana Amirthalingam then shared Neoaktif’s vision to bridge science and real-world application through credible, long-term partnerships. “What matters is not just having good ideas, but having the confidence and capability to turn them into practical action,” he said. “Working with Monash University Malaysia gives us that confidence, and strengthens our ability to deliver solutions that are trusted by industry and beneficial to society.”
From left to right: Murugan @ Suresh A/L Suppiah (Principal Technical Officer, Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Monash University Malaysia), Dr Mohd-Zulhilmi Paiz Ismadi (Senior Lecturer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Monash University Malaysia), Tan Kar Hooi (Neoaktif Asia Sdn Bhd), Sollehan Shafura Binti Zainuddin (Neoaktif Asia Sdn Bhd), Dr Danabalan Amirthalingam (CEO, Neoaktif Asia Sdn Bhd), Professor Dato' Dr Ir Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan (Vice President, Research and Development, Monash University Malaysia), Professor Anthony Guo (Head of School of Engineering & Information Technology, Monash University Malaysia), Associate Professor Mavinakere Eshwaraiah Raghunandan (Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University Malaysia), Dr Charles Raymond Sarimuthu (Senior Lecturer, Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Monash University Malaysia), Professor Chai Siang Piao (Deputy Head of School (Research), School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia), and Associate Professor Shee Yu Gang (Director of the Research Excellence Unit, Monash University Malaysia).
The centrepiece of the ceremony was the formal signing of the research agreement, marking the official commencement of the collaboration. The joint project will focus on developing smart urban farming systems supported by sensors that monitor soil and environmental conditions, enabling more efficient irrigation, fertiliser use and resource management.
The partnership reflects the university’s continued commitment to industry-linked research that supports sustainability and innovation for students and staff alike.