Source: http://www.clker.com/cliparts/8/9/a/a/12074317621019828319hill%20climbing%20white.svg.hi.png

I laughed when I heard that this government university “i” in Malaysia (Non-research University) put a requirement for their lecturers promotion is to publish a paper in publication with ISBN. What? That is so so sooo easy. Meanwhile, Research Universities (RU) lecturers need to publish papers (yes, more than one paper!) in Impact Factor / High Impact Factor Journals and Indexed International Conferences. This is to say, it is much much much much harder than publish a paper in an ISBN books.

Well, not to put blame on that “i” university. It’s their top management decision. However, just to highlight, the “i” university and other Research Universities (RU) in Malaysia are using the same lecturer salary scheme. Means, they will receive the same or the exact amount of monthly salary and allowances. This is biased for RU lecturers.

Just to ponder, two men were given a task, a task of bringing a rucksack to a 500 meter destination spot. Men “A” need to transport it by climbing a 500m hill. Meanwhile, Men “B” need to bring the same size rucksack to a 500m downhill destination. Both of them later are treated (or paid) equally.

Source: http://images.all-free-download.com/images/graphiclarge/portage_canoe_clip_art_24870.jpg

I don’t know, but this is the reality (at this moment, I hope there will be a light at the end of the tunnel). Perhaps, a suggestion from me, for RU lecturers, to appreciate them with their hard work in making Malaysia “academically visible“, give them, let say more allowance++ apart from their current monthly salary and allowance. Or maybe, a better lecturer scheme than the existing practice. What say you? 🙂

“ISBN? Really? Are you kidding me? You really made my day.”

Source: Waze App

During 2014 Hari Raya holiday in Malaysia, the numbers of vehicle escalates up to 1.6 millions per day. A normal 3 hours trip turned to 8 hours due to heavy traffic happened nationwide.

As a geospatialist, I’m not surprised about this phenomenon. It can be predicted. However, an app called Waze (available in App Store) that is widely used by Malaysian during that holiday that shocked me.

Source: Waze App

Waze is basically a geospatial application developed based on the concept of Public Participatory Geographical Information System (P-GIS). I can see that almost 95% data contributed by the public are accurate.

These information provided in Waze can assists drivers to navigate using the most optimum route (avoiding heavy traffic and etc). My hat’s off to you, the Waze team in developing a thumbs up apps!

Nevertheless, a P-GIS will only work if “P” (the public) contribute for the apps. Hopefully, Waze development team can sustain in the market. I will definitely promote Waze

I received a call from the postgraduate coordinator. He asked me a favor, invited me to be as one of the panels in evaluating 12 PhD students proposal (yes twelve!). I spent one day, listening, evaluating, finalizing, formalizing their research. I can say that its not an easy task, but with the knowledge I gain when I did my research, I can share some experience whether the research is up-to-the-level required. And I feel happy that I can use my experience to help the students.

“A PhD, to know where its significance to the body of knowledge“.

One of the student from Nigeria presented his PhD research.