Chai Ching Yi

Dr. Chai Ching Yi serves as the Head of Department for Engineering, Science and Information Technology/Multimedia and is a Lecturer at the School of Foundation Studies, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus. With a background in Electronic and Computer Systems engineering and education, she bridges technical expertise with pedagogical approaches to create impactful learning experiences.

Her educational qualifications include:

• MEd from Asia E-University
• BEng in Electronic and Computer System from Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus
• GCLT (Higher Education) from Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne
• PCTP from Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne

Dr. Chai's research focuses on teacher and student engagement in education with a specialized interest in seniors' digitalization. She has pioneered community initiatives that extend her academic work into practical applications, most notably the Digital Technologies Seniors Program (DTSP) which has impacted over 3,000 seniors worldwide in less than three months after its launch in November 2021. Her work demonstrates a commitment to using technology for social good, particularly in bridging the digital divide for elderly populations.

Her scholarly output includes publications on sustainable energy systems and digital inclusion, reflecting her dual expertise in engineering and educational technology. These works show a trajectory from technical research toward community-focused applications of technology knowledge.

Dr. Chai has received research support through a 2021 Knowledge Transfer Programme Initiative Scheme grant for the Cyber-Seniors Project. Her professional affiliations include membership in IEEE, the Institution of Engineering and Technology, and the Board of Engineers Malaysia.

As an educator and community leader, Dr. Chai also serves as the pioneer advisor of the Social Club in Swinburne Sarawak, which recruited 200 active members within its first year of operation during the challenging period of the first Movement Control Order in March 2020. She has mentored students in national and international competitions, with one group winning a Second Prize in MathStory 2021, demonstrating her commitment to student development across multiple dimensions.