Tag Archives: 3d gis

WFH HAS ITS PROS AND CONS 

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WFH HAS ITS PROS AND CONS 

Working from home (WFH) definitely has its advantages.

Sometimes, it gives the quiet space needed to focus deeply on research, writing, analysis, and all the “deep work” that usually requires uninterrupted concentration.

But at the same time, there is also the other side of academic life.

Sometimes students are stuck.

Sometimes they need guidance, reassurance, or just someone to discuss their research problems with. And honestly, it is hard to just leave them struggling alone.

So today, instead of staying at home, we met at a coffee shop outside campus for a quick research discussion session.

In the end, the issues were settled, the students were smiling again, and everyone got to eat good food too.

Academic life is not only about papers and deadlines.

Sometimes it is simply about being present when students need help the most.

#AcademicLife #WFH #PostgraduateLife #ResearchMentoring #CoffeeAndResearch

RESEARCH DISCUSSIONS DON’T ALWAYS HAPPEN IN LABS

RESEARCH DISCUSSIONS DON’T ALWAYS HAPPEN IN LABS

Sometimes, the best research discussions happen over coffee in campus cafés.

Today was supposed to be just a simple lunch outing by the sea. But halfway through the day, an idea suddenly came to mind. One of those moments where a research direction just clicks unexpectedly.

So we made our way back to UTM and had a quick catch-up session at ZUS Coffee with my postgraduate student, Amirah.

As researchers and supervisors, sometimes when inspiration comes, you just cannot wait too long to share it. Ideas are fragile. If not discussed early, they might disappear just as quickly as they arrive.

What I appreciate most is seeing the excitement and curiosity from students when discussing new possibilities, new methods, and future research directions. Those small moments remind us why academic mentoring matters.

Research is not only about publications, grants, or conferences.
Sometimes it is simply about conversations, guidance, encouragement, and helping students believe they can go further than they think.

You are doing well, Amirah. Keep going. One step at a time.

#PostgraduateLife #ResearchJourney #AcademicMentoring #CampusLife #ResearchDiscussion

ANOTHER INVITATION, ANOTHER RESPONSIBILITY 

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ANOTHER INVITATION, ANOTHER RESPONSIBILITY 

Sometimes, opportunities come from places you didn’t specifically plan for.

I was invited to join the Technical Committee Board for the African Smart Cities & Innovation Congress 2026 (ASCIC 2026).

An international platform that brings together researchers, policymakers, and industry players in smart cities, AI, IoT, big data, and urban innovation. The event will be held in Laâyoune, Morocco.

What makes it even more interesting

Morocco is geographically part of Africa, but culturally and historically it also connects strongly with the Arab world and Europe. It sits at a unique crossroads of regions.

Morocco is home to Fes, where the University of Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859 AD, is widely recognized as among oldest continuously operating university in the world. A strong reminder that knowledge and scholarship have deep roots there.

For me, invitations like this are more than recognition. They come with responsibility.

When there are limited experts in a specific niche, invitations tend to come more often. With that comes the responsibility to contribute, review rigorously, and help safeguard academic quality not just locally, but globally.

Looking forward to contributing to this international effort.

#AcademicLife #SmartCities #ResearchCommunity #PeerReview #GlobalCollaboration

STRUCTURAL TOPIC MODELLING WORKSHOP – DAY 1

STRUCTURAL TOPIC MODELLING WORKSHOP – DAY 1

Kicked off a two-day Structural Topic Modelling (STM) workshop organized by our 3D City Modelling research lab. This is our lab’s initiative to sharpen our research skills. 

Today’s session was led by Usman Mehmood, one of our talented lab members who’s been hands-on with this analytical method.

Unfortunately, due to other urgent commitments, I couldn’t be part of the session today, but the learning continues regardless. I’m proud to see the team step up and take the lead in building knowledge together.

This workshop focuses on enhancing our research with data-driven topic modelling using STM, a powerful approach for uncovering themes and trends from textual data. It’s part of our commitment to always push forward with innovative techniques in geospatial and data science.

Here’s a short video from today’s session, just a glimpse of what’s happening. Stay tuned, more updates will follow!

#StructuralTopicModelling #STMWorkshop #GeospatialResearch #ResearchLabLife #KnowledgeSharing #PostgradResearch #DataScienceInResearch #AcademicGrowth #UTM

CONGRATULATIONS TO USMAN ON HIS SUCCESSFUL PHD VIVA DEFENSE

CONGRATULATIONS TO USMAN ON HIS SUCCESSFUL PHD VIVA DEFENSE

I am proud to share that my PhD student, Usman, has successfully defended his viva presentation this morning and passed with flying colors. The entire session, from the start of his presentation to the final verdict, took only 1.5 hours, making it one of the fastest viva sessions recorded.

His research focuses on the development of a 3D spatio-temporal management model for high-rise building maintenance, offering innovative solutions for efficient and data-driven maintenance planning in urban environments.

In addition to the swift and confident defense, his thesis was recommended for Merit by both internal and external examiners. This distinction reflects the highest level of academic recognition and speaks to the outstanding quality of his research.

Congratulations once again, Dr. Usman, on this remarkable achievement. Your dedication, perseverance, and excellence throughout your PhD journey have truly paid off.

#PhDViva #DrUsman #3DSpatioTemporal #BuildingMaintenance #SmartCityResearch #HighRiseInnovation #ResearchExcellence #MeritAward #ProudSupervisor

GEOSPATIAL INNOVATION: IGNITING SMART CITIES, ECO-SYNERGY, AND URBAN RESURGENCE

GEOSPATIAL INNOVATION: IGNITING SMART CITIES, ECO-SYNERGY, AND URBAN RESURGENCE

This book is expected to be available on October, 2025 by Springer.

This is a collaborative effort exploring how 3D City Modelling, digital twins, remote sensing, and AI can contribute to building smarter, more resilient, and sustainable cities.

Appreciate the support so far, more updates soon.

#SmartCities #GeospatialInnovation #3DGIS #UrbanResilience #DigitalTwins #EcoSynergy #SustainableDevelopment #GeoAI #RemoteSensing #SpringerBooks #ComingSoon #UrbanInnovation #CityTech

GLOBAL UNCERTAINTY: BARCELONA 2026

GLOBAL UNCERTAINTY: BARCELONA 2026

I will be traveling to Barcelona in March 2026 to deliver a keynote speech. But with the Iran-Israel conflict, I’ve been reflecting on more than just travel plans. Global tensions serve as a reminder of how interconnected our world is and how quickly uncertainty can affect even the most meaningful commitments.

I remain hopeful that the conference will proceed as planned. More importantly, I hope for peace, understanding, and stability for everyone across all affected regions.

Let us continue to support each other and stay informed during these uncertain times.

“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

#Keynote2026 #Barcelona #Peace #GlobalAwareness #AcademicLife #TravelConcerns #HopeForPeace #LeadershipInUncertainty

MY BOOK CHAPTER TALK IN BERLIN

MY BOOK CHAPTER TALK IN BERLIN

Besides writing journal papers, I enjoy working on books and book chapters. One example is this chapter I wrote titled “An Overview of Advances in Geoinformatics Technologies: Facilities and Utilities Optimization and Management for Smart City Applications”.

I enjoy this kind of writing because it helps raise awareness and spark new ideas about what’s possible in our geospatial science field.

Today, I’m excited that I’ve been invited to give a talk about this chapter at the Global Summit on Advances in Recycling and Waste Management in Berlin, Germany, this September 29–30, 2025.

I’m happy to know that the book has contributed to the community. I hope the session will offer something valuable and inspiring to those attending!

#Geoinformatics #SmartCities #BookChapter #AcademicWriting #UrbanInnovation #Sustainability #GIS #3DModeling #SmartCitySolutions #GlobalSummit #Berlin2025 #ResearchImpact

SUCCESS BUILT ON HUMILITY, EFFORT, AND OPENNESS


SUCCESS BUILT ON HUMILITY, EFFORT, AND OPENNESS

Sharing a small but meaningful success story. A paper by my former postgraduate student has been accepted for presentation.

He is the kind of person who truly shows what learning looks like: staying humble, staying curious, asking questions, welcoming suggestions, even asking for corrections when needed, and always ready to brainstorm and refine ideas together. Before the submission, we discussed, shared thoughts openly, and turned ideas into a real and solid piece of work.

And the result? You can see it yourself. A total knockout.

This reminds me that it is not just talent that makes a difference. It is attitude, hard work, and the willingness to grow that truly set people apart. Congratulations. This success is fully earned.

As for me, I have always believed in giving advice sincerely but never forcing it. I will say it once. Whether you choose to listen or not is entirely up to you. We are all responsible for our own paths. I do not gain or lose anything either way. For those who choose to listen and grow, the rewards are theirs to reap.

#DengarCakap #SiapaUntung #TumpangGembira #Mentorship #Gratitude #ResearchJourney #3DModelling #GrowthMindset

3RD KEYNOTE SPEAKER INVITATION – 2025

TURNING RESEARCH INTO REAL-WORLD CONVERSATIONS

[It’s Another Unexpected Milestone]

Still riding the energy from my recent keynote at ICWEES 2025, I’ve just been invited again, this time by ICASE-2025, to deliver the same keynote talk at a different international conference. 

Third keynote talk this year.

Grateful beyond words to see my work resonating across different fields, from geoinformatics to environmental science, smart cities, AI, and beyond.

Thank you once again to all the organizers, peers, and communities that continue to open new doors and believe in this mission.

Let’s keep pushing boundaries, challenging ideas, and building the future together!

#KeynoteSpeaker #ICWEES2025 #ICASE2025 #GeospatialInnovation #SmartCities #GlobalImpact #ResearchMatters #NeverStopDreaming