Zuki B. Yusoff, a professor at the CISIR research center at UTP, is visiting the institute as part of CoESIUM, a strategic partnership between the Arts et Métiers , and Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) in Malaysia.
Zuki B. Yusoff and Frédéric Mérienne, a researcher at the LISPEN laboratory, are developing a project focused on the real-time analysis of mental states using electroencephalography (EEG).
A collaboration that brings together complementary areas of expertise
For Frédéric Mérienne, co-director of COESIUM, international collaborations are a key driver for advancing research: “This allows us to enrich projects with complementary expertise. It’s also about sharing different perspectives.” This complementarity is also evident in the areas of expertise of the two institutions. The CISIR teams contribute their knowledge of brain signal processing and brain-machine interfaces. LISPEN contributes its expertise in virtual reality and human-centered evaluation.
According to Professor Zuki B. Yusoff, this convergence naturally led to the development of a joint research program: “Our work focuses on real-time EEG monitoring to adapt the content of a virtual reality environment to the user’s psychophysiological state. ” The two researchers combine EEG data with other physiological indicators, including heart rate variability and the electrodermal response. Using machine learning techniques, they seek to detect states such as stress, cognitive load, emotions, and even motion sickness in virtual reality. The long-term goal is to create immersive environments capable of automatically adjusting their content, pace, or difficulty level.
A Partnership Dedicated to Students
This partnership benefits students at both institutions. Study semesters, laboratory internships, and hosting international students promote academic and cultural exchange. Engineering students from theArts et Métiers can spend a semester studying at UTP as part of the S8 program or complete a research internship. Malaysian students have the opportunity to join French laboratories for their internship work. Some of these exchange programs are supported by the Erasmus+ program.
To succeed in an international environment, Frédéric Mérienne emphasizes the importance of three key areas: cultural understanding, proficiency in English, and technological autonomy. Professor Zuki agrees with this assessment and emphasizes the importance of adaptability: “Beyond these fundamentals, engineers must demonstrate adaptability, know how to communicate clearly in multicultural contexts, and be able to work within diverse teams.”
Cooperation Set to Grow Stronger
The collaboration between the two institutions is built on a solid foundation. Frédéric Mérienne has been working with UTP for over 11 years. The creation of CoESIUM has made it possible to expand this cooperation to include more laboratories and research topics. Future plans include deeper integration with the Malaysian industrial ecosystem, as well as the development of new applications for brain-machine interfaces and human-machine interaction.
From his stay in Burgundy, Zuki B. Yusoff recalls both the scientific exchanges and the personal connections he made. Among his most memorable experiences are his visit to the Cluny campus—with its manufacturing workshops and historical heritage—as well as the landscapes between Chalon-sur-Saône and Cluny. He sums up this experience in three words: “Collaboration, Curiosity, Friendship.”
