Tag Archives: #gis

STRUCTURAL TOPIC MODELLING WORKSHOP – DAY 2

STRUCTURAL TOPIC MODELLING WORKSHOP – DAY 2

Back in action for Day 2 of our Structural Topic Modelling (STM) workshop, and this time I was able to join the team. It was great to engage directly in the session and see how everyone has progressed with this powerful analytical technique.

A special moment during the session was a surprise celebration for our August birthday babies. A simple gesture, but one that made the atmosphere even more lively and connected. We had chocolate cake, nasi dagang, pizza and coffee (its a mixed generations).

Workshops like this are not just about technical knowledge, but also about building a strong and supportive research culture. Grateful for the spirit and effort everyone brought into the room.

Huge thanks again to Usman Mehmood for leading the training with clarity and depth. Here’s to more sessions that grow both our minds and our bonds.

#structuraltopicmodelling #stmworkshop #researchculture #academiclife #postgradtraining #geospatialresearch #labcommunity #birthdaycelebration #datascience #utmresearch

A GEOINFORMATION-BASED SEARCH AND RESCUE SYSTEM – PATENT GRANTED!

A GEOINFORMATION-BASED SEARCH AND RESCUE SYSTEM – PATENT GRANTED!

After five years of waiting, it’s finally official – our invention “A Geoinformation-Based Search and Rescue System” has been granted patent MY-209770-A by MyIPO Malaysia on 2 August 2025.

The story of this idea:

It all began in 2019, when this concept won first place at the Kenyalang Mapping Technologies Competition. We are all over the media. Unexpected but an exciting experience!

The following year, 2020, I extended the idea into some game-changing innovation, then we went for the patent application. We passed the assessments and got the patent filing. Alhamdulillah.

In 2021, it went on to win the Ultimate Grand Prize at the Seoul International Invention Fair, beating all global competitors – the first in Malaysia’s history to ever achieve that. Until now, to the best of my knowledge, no one else from Malaysia has done it again. I am proud to give a speech at the international podium as Malaysian! Malaysia boleh!

And now, after years of persistence, 2025, we’re proud to see it finally granted.

This system empowers search and rescue missions through real-time communication and geospatial coordination among victims, teams, vehicles, and drones. A true step forward in disaster response tech.

Inventors:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhamad Uznir Ujang (Head)

Prof. Dr. Zulkepli Majid

Dr. Nor Suhaibah Azri

Dr. Azman Ariffin

Patent Owner: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Application No.: PI2020006996

Filed on: 23 December 2020

Granted on: 2 August 2025

This achievement reminds us that innovation takes time, but perseverance pays off.

Let this serve the greater good in emergency response and smart geospatial solutions.

#GeospatialInnovation #SearchAndRescue #PatentGranted #DisasterManagement #SmartRescue #MyIPO #UTM #GIS4Good #Geoinformation #Innovation #FromIdeaToImpact

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

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

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

CONGRATULATIONS TO ABDULLAH AHMAD (UKM)

CONGRATULATIONS TO ABDULLAH AHMAD

Warm congratulations to Abdullah bin Ahmad (P127080) from the Department of Civil Engineering, UKM, for successfully completing his Master of Science viva voce! He is a senior engineer at the Public Works Department (JKR).

His thesis focused on a highly relevant topic: GeoBIM Data Structure for Sewer System, which I believe is a crucial area in advancing infrastructure management through geospatial and BIM integration. From my view, the nation needs more awareness on the importance of GeoBIM. It is good to have more research like Abdullah’s.

The session was held on 14 April 2025 (Monday), at 9:30 a.m. at the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, UKM Bangi.

I was honored to serve as the External Examiner, representing Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).

The viva panel included:

Chairperson: Prof. Ir. Dr. Siti Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah (JKKP, FKAB)

Internal Examiner: Sr. Ts. Dr. Noraini Hamzah (JKA, FKAB)

Main Supervisor: Lt. Kol. Bersekutu (PA) Prof. Madya Ts. Gs. Sr. Dr. Khairul Nizam Abdul Maulud (JKA, FKAB)

Thank you to Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) for the trust and opportunity. It’s always a privilege to contribute to academic quality and support innovative research through external examiner roles.

Wishing the candidate every success in future research and practice!

#congratulations #externalexaminer #geobim #civilengineering #ukm #utm #vivaexamination #postgraduatestudies #academiccontribution #researchquality

PHD VIVA VOCE

PHD VIVA VOCE

Huge congratulations to my student, Syahiirah Mohd Salleh for successfully passing her PhD viva-voce this morning with excellent results!

Her thesis, titled “36-Intersection Model Topology Rules for 3D Objects in Spatial Database”marks a significant contribution to the field of Geoinformatics.

The session was chaired by Prof. TPr Dr. Ho Chin Siong, with Dr. Norhakim bin Yusof as the assistant chairman.

Special thanks to the examiners:

External Examiner: Assoc. Prof. Gs Dr. Tan Mou Leong (USM)
Internal Examiner: Prof. Dr. Mohd Shahrizal bin Sunar (Faculty of Computing, UTM)

The chairman and both examiners praised Syahiirah’s work for its originality and technical depth, agreeing that her research has great potential to be applied in various fields, from 3D GIS systems and spatial data infrastructure to urban planning and smart city development.

We are incredibly proud of Syahiirah’s dedication, perseverance, and scholarly achievements.

Wishing her continued success in her academic and professional journey!

#PhDViva #Geoinformatics #UTM #3DGIS #SpatialDatabase #ProudSupervisor

KEYNOTE TALK: GEOAI-DRIVEN 3D URBAN MODELLING

KEYNOTE TALK: GEOAI-DRIVEN 3D URBAN MODELLING

It’s an honour to be given a 45-minute keynote slot, an academic recognition that reflects trust from the international scientific community.

Unlike typical paper presentations, a keynote isn’t just about showing results. It’s about vision. Future directions. Inspiring researchers across disciplines.

Sharing how Geospatial Science matters, whether it’s for noise modelling, wind flow, water systems, or urban resilience. This keynote is my way of showing how 3D City Modelling and GeoAI can drive meaningful applications across sectors.

Just an abstract for today. The rest of the presentation notes will be drafted later.

#keynotetalk #geospatialscience #geoai #3dgis #urbanmodelling #smartcities #climateaction #academicrecognition #internationalconference #utm

3D GIS Lab Iftar Gathering 2025

3D GIS Lab Iftar Gathering 2025

Yesterday, we’re treating the entire lab to iftar. It was a wonderful evening spent with my postgraduate students at our annual Iftar session! Great food, meaningful conversations, and a strong sense of camaraderie made it a truly memorable event.

Date: 13 March 2025

Venue: Gleneagles Terrace Restaurant, Pulai Springs Resort

In research, we push boundaries, tackle challenges, and work tirelessly towards innovation. But moments like this remind us that beyond hard work, we need time to connect, reflect, and recharge. A well-balanced journey is what keeps us moving forward.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined and made this gathering special. Looking forward to more moments like this in the future!