By: Kirran Nisha Krishnan
Final-Year Student, Pure Physics Track,
School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia

From the 29th to the 30th of September 2025, I had the distinct privilege of attending and presenting at the 4th International Conference on Semiconductor Materials and Technology (ICoSeMT) at the St. GilesWembley Hotel in Penang. As a final year undergraduate student, this opportunity was both a milestone and a profound glimpse into the dynamic world of advanced physics and industrial innovation. Presenting a summary of my final-year project, "pH Measurement in Harum Manis Mango Using an 18-Channel Multispectral Reflectance Sensor," at an international forum was an incredibly rewarding experience.

I was notably the only undergraduate student in attendance, which made the conference an even more significant and inspiring event for me. It was fascinating to listen to presentations by postgraduate students on a wide array of topics that I had not been exposed to in my undergraduate curriculum. The breadth of research opened my eyes to the vast possibilities within the field of physics and materials science. A key takeaway for me was learning about the future of semiconductors, which is rapidly moving beyond silicon. I was introduced to ground breaking innovations involving wide band gap semiconductors like Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Aluminium Nitride (AlN), materials that promise greater efficiency and performance for next generation electronics. The conference was further enriched by insights from top global industries such as SilTerra, Infineon, Riken, and OSRAM, who showcased a plethora of new technologies and inventions. A significant portion of the talks, including an impactful speech by Mr. ET Tan, focused on the critical importance of advanced packaging, highlighting it as a significant and growing need within the semiconductor industry.Beyond the lecture halls, the exhibition booths offered a hands-on perspective. Exploring displays from various manufacturing and supply chain companies provided a tangible connection between the theoretical research presented and its real-world industrial applications.

In summary, the 4th ICoSeMT was truly an eye-opening experience. It offered me a clear and inspiring insight into the real-world applications of semiconductors and the future direction of technological advancements. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the School of Physics and my supervisor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Fairuz Omar, for granting me this invaluable opportunity to participate and present at an international conference as an undergraduate student. My heartfelt thanks also go to my dedicated research partner, Lee Hao Xuan, whose guidance and support were instrumental throughout this journey at ICoSeMT 2025. This experience is one I will always treasure.