Tag Archives: Research

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

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

APPOINTED BY UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA (USM)

APPOINTED BY UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA (USM)

Feeling anxious when being appointed as an External Expert for the Board of Studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). An APEX university with higher ranking than UTM.

It’s truly a privilege to support the advancement of geospatial education and to collaborate with one of Malaysia’s leading academic institutions.

Thank you USM, for this trust and opportunity.

#Geospatial #GIS #AcademicLeadership #USM #APEXUniversity #HigherEducation #LifelongLearning

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

ANOTHER KEYNOTE TALK, MAY 2025 – XI’AN CHINA

ANOTHER KEYNOTE TALK, MAY 2025 – XI’AN CHINA

I haven’t even delivered my keynote for this month’s conference yet. And the next invitation has already landed. This month conference is over 3,200 km from Skudai. And next month? Even farther, nearly 4,300 km to Xi’an, China. From South Asia to East Asia. Whatever it is, I am grateful for the trust given to share ideas across borders. Thanks!

KEYNOTE SPEAKER TALK – INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WATER, ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND SOCIETY (ICWEES 2025)

Keynote Abstract:

The keynote by Associate Professor Uznir Ujang explores the transformative potential of integrating 3D Geospatial Information Systems (3D GIS) with Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) for tackling urban challenges related to environmental quality, water systems, and energy efficiency. Traditional 2D geospatial methods often fall short in capturing the complexities of urban dynamics. This talk introduces a new paradigm where advanced 3D city models, enhanced by AI-driven spatial analytics, topological structures, and temporal intelligence, offer innovative solutions for resilient city planning.

Key real-world case studies, such as urban air quality visualization, traffic noise propagation, wind flow analysis, and voxel-based environmental simulations, demonstrate how this convergence of technologies can revolutionize decision-making. With data acquisition methods like LiDAR, UAVs, and CityGML semantic modeling, cities can leverage precise, intelligent tools to address sustainability challenges.

Join us as we discuss the future of integrating 3D geospatial intelligence into global sustainability frameworks and urban agendas.

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