We are deeply saddened to share the heartbreaking news about the sudden passing of Dr. Nishi Yasuharu, a long-standing collaborator with the Malaysia Software Testing Board, and a distinguished figure in the global fields of Software Quality Assurance (SQA) and software testing practices.
Those who are familiar with our SOFTECAsia conferences might recall that Dr Nishi had been a regular speaker at the annual event since 2014. His unique and appealing ways of presentation had made his Keynote, Workshop and Tutorial sessions popular among delegates.
Beyond the conference, Dr Nishi had also made significant contributions to the development of Malaysia’s software testing industry through his involvement in the Malaysia Software Testing Hub (MSTH), a national-level initiative to develop software testing as a new source of economic growth for the country. The implementation of MSTH was spearheaded by MSTB from 2009 to 2018.
He was a member of the MSTH International Promotion and Advisory Council (IPAC), a high-level grouping comprising renowned experts in fields relevant to SQA and software testing disciplines engaged to provide expert advice on MSTH activities planning implementation as well as help promote Malaysia as a preferred destination for software testing services. More than that, Dr Nishi also directly participated in out outreach programmes for the Academic as well as Industry segments, sharing his vast technical knowledge and experiences to local participants.
Dr Nishi was also instrumental to the introduction of the Test Design Competition (TDC) by MSTB in 2014. Intended as platform to promote good software testing practices, the competition was modelled after similar event led by him in Japan. Through the Association of Software Test Engineering (ASTER), Dr Nishi provided materials and advisory support to MSTB’s TDC team.
Dr. Nishi’s dedication to his work as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Informatics at the University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo, and his visionary leadership in software testing in Japan have left an indelible mark on the industry. His research, consultation, and commitment to areas such as software testing, quality, safety, process improvement, Total Quality Management (TQM), and service engineering have inspired and guided countless professionals and students alike.
Beyond academia, Dr Nishi also played a pivotal role in shaping the software testing landscape in Japan. In addition to serving as the President of ASTER, he also founded the Japan Symposium on Software Testing (JaSST), established the Japan Software Testing Qualifications Board (JSTQB), and organized the Consortium of Quality Assurance for Artificial-Intelligence-based products and services (QA4AI) in Japan.
Dr. Nishi’s absence leaves a void that will be difficult to fill, and he will be dearly missed by all of us at MSTB. His legacy will continue to inspire and influence software testing professionals and researchers for years to come.
We will always remember Dr Nishi Yasuharu for his cheerful demeanour, charismatic personality, and his outstanding contributions, and his memory will live on through the marks that he left behind.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. The global SQA and software testing communities has lost a bright star from the East, and we, at MSTB, has lost a friend.
Rest in peace, dear Dr Nishi Yasuharu