Visual Communication Through Freehand Training (VCTF)

Last week, I was informed by my friend from MCKK, Amirul Iskandar, that he and Dr. Ruzaimi would be coming to UTM to conduct the Visual Communication Through Freehand (VCTF) training. Unfortunately, yesterday was completely occupied. Alhamdulillah, today I had a relatively free schedule, allowing me to focus on other pending tasks without any meetings.

After lunch, I stopped by Masjid Sultan Ismail to perform the Zuhur prayer, where I unexpectedly met Amirul and Nazri Rusli. Following our prayers, we walked together to the training room at FABU, where the VCTF training was being held for UTM’s non-academic officers.

I took the opportunity to sit in and re-immerse myself in the session. Even though I had attended this training previously in May 2024, I still found it highly insightful and inspiring. The session emphasized the power of visual communication and sketching as a universal language — a truly valuable skill in academic and professional settings alike.

I was also delighted to learn that Dr. Ruzaimi and Amirul have recently published a book on VCTF titled Profits from Visuals. From what I saw, it’s an impressive and one-of-a-kind publication — informative, creative, and absolutely engaging. Congratulations to both of them on this remarkable achievement! I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in improving their visual communication skills.

Other tasks of the day: (1) Finalizing NYR International paper work (2) Marking assignments for METE1153 ODL

#20242025 Day 009

#Wedday

A Visit by SPRM: An Opportunity for Us to Assist Them

Something unexpected beyond my schedule took place and dominated majority of my time today. As I was attending a meeting at the Research Alliance office at 9:00 AM regarding the New Funding Formula (NFF), scheduled to end just before 11:00 AM, I received a call from Wan (10.30am), our assistant at the RMC office. She informed me that four officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) had arrived at our office, requesting to meet either the Director or the Deputy Director.

I immediately returned to the RMC office and met with the officers. In short, they were seeking clarification on a particular matter, and we fully cooperated and provided the necessary assistance. Alhamdulillah, the process went smoothly, and they were able to achieve their objective for the day.

As for us in RMC, we were simply glad to be of help. It was certainly a unique experience, not the kind of official duty typically encountered by an academician or university administrator.

Other tasks performed today: (1) Attending the NFF meeting, (2) Mock presentation for my MKKL student (Nizam about his project ALCOA+ for pharmaceutical industry).

#20242025 Day 008

#Tuesday

Discussion Related to Integrity Issues / LPBUTM Governance Committee Meeting No. 1 / 2025

Today, I have been called to participate in a discussion (3 to 5pm) on the following matter (Perbincangan Berkaitan Isu Integriti / LPB Mesyuarat JK Tatakelola UTM Bil 1 / 2025). Despite having other important and urgent tasks, I allocated some time to attend this meeting.

Basically, there are some issues related to integrity. For me, something like this happens everywhere due to various reasons.

Other tasks today:

  • VIVA for my Engineering Education student that I co-supervised from UNIMAP. Unfortunately, I can’t attend due to some online unexpected technical fault.
  • Jabatan Audit Negara (JAN) feedback preparation with my Monitoring Unit and director.
  • Claim payment for the recent symposium that we attended.

#20242025 Day 007

#Monday

Marking Test for ODL METE1153 Course

It has been very tough for me to pursue this personal mission – that is to download and mark the test for ODL METE1153 Course – Occupational Safety for Energy System. This was mainly due to my super extravaganza hectic schedule. However, I forced my self, squeezed some time in a peaceful Sunday morning to mark as much as I can. I am pleased with what I did today. There are 10-15% more of marking to be completed, which will be done tomorrow.

In the evening, I was having a second mock presentation for my three FYP students (Tsai, Amy and Syahmi). I can say they have improved their slide and presentation. InsyaAllah they will do better tomorrow, during the official FYP 1 presentation.

#20242025 Day 006

#Sunday

Managing ASEAN Journal of Engineering Education (AJEE) Journal Vol. 9, Issue 2

Alhamdulillah, six days ago, AJEE Journal, Vol. 9, Issue 1, was released. There are 9 scholarly papers in that issue, and as the Chief Editor for AJEE, I’m very glad for the release of that issue.

Today, I have just checked and accepted another manuscript, after critical comments and corrections have been made by the author. This paper is quite interesting as it narrates about a technical bootcamp being held in nature in Indonesia. I’m truly excited about the paper as it provides insightful input concerning several educational theories and models.

#20242025 Day 005

Delivery of Teaching and Learning of ODL Programs

NAMA KURSUS : Delivery of Teaching and Learning of ODL Programs
DURATION : 1 Hari
TARIKH : 4 Julai 2025 (Jumaat)
MASA : 9.00 pagi – 5.00 petang
MEDIUM : Secara dalam talian

SINOPSIS KURSUS:
This course provides a comprehensive guide for educators on effectively delivering Open and
Distance Learning (ODL) courses. It begins with an overview of essential preparations, including the
development of Self-Instructional Materials (SIM), activity planning, integration of Open Educational
Resources (OER), and ensuring compliance with ODL system requirements. Participants then explore
instructional design strategies and tools for engaging learners in synchronous, asynchronous, and
blended modes. The course also introduces the use of learning analytics within Learning Management
Systems to monitor and support student progress. Practical exercises, peer presentations, and
feedback sessions offer hands-on experience, culminating in a Q&A and wrap-up discussion to
reinforce key takeaways.

Other tasks today:

(1) Settling urgent JAN Audit (2) Meeting my PhD student and Postdoc (3) Settling and managing various RMC tasks.

Because of the above, I have to be as efficient possible and this was the set up at my office:

#20242025 Day 004

Taklimat Jabatan Audit Negara untuk R&D&C&I

TAKLIMAT PENGAUDITAN TERHADAP PROGRAM PENYELIDIKAN, PEMBANGUNAN, PENGKOMERSIALAN DAN INOVASI (R&D&C&I) BAGI DANA PENGUKUHAN DAN PEMERKASAAN UNIVERSITI PENYELIDIKAN (RU)

On the same day, I also have 2 more meetings. The second one was Mesyuarat Sebut Harga that was held in BM2 at 10.30am, and another one was eOTR meeting with my PMMD team that was held at the same venue at 2.30pm.

#20242025 Day 003

RMC Beban Tugas Staf Sokongan (BTSS) Workshop

Today, for I am not sure how many times already, we conducted another BTSS workshop in RMC, from 9 am to 5 pm. The good thing is that we are almost there, which means we have practically finalized and adjusted the working hours of all RMC members to a more logical indication.

We are doing this to quantify and justify the working loads of our staff. The amount of tasks and responsibilities, as well as expectations given to us, versus the number of manpower that we have. InsyaAllah, we are doing our best to optimize and utilize all the resources we have, but there are still some areas that require human intervention to be executed.

#20242025 Day 002

AMSET Research Group Strategic Planning Writing Workshop

In the era where research grants reduces, diminish and shrink, I was invited to this program to share about Research Grant Opportunities for UTM Researchers. It’s best to focus our effort more on industrial and international research grants. That’s the way to go. Thanks AMSET RG for inviting me as a speaker.

Hopefully the sharing was fruitful and beneficial to AMSET members, as well as the students. InsyaAllah.

After lunch I missed Dr. Ilyas inspiring sharing. I heard his sharing was aspiring!

FB Source and Linkedin source for more pics.

In the afternoon, I have MESYUARAT JAWATANKUASA PENGURUSAN JABATAN TNC (P&I) BIL. 3/2025 to attend too.

#20242025 Day 001

2022 Day 302 – 10th Regional Conference on Engineering Education (RCEE2022)

After the opening ceremony of RCEE2022

VIVA MKKK program that took place very early today

Alhamdulillah, the 10th Regional Conference on Engineering Education (RCEE2022) was successfully completed and organized by Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) and Universitas Diponogoro (UNDIP) today. This is the first time RCEE was organized outside of Malaysia and organized by academic institution that is not the UTM Centre for Engineering Education (UTM CEE). 

I managed to deliver a welcome speech before the program started. At the same time, my team submitted 5 papers to be presented in RCEE2022. It was a great event and we hope that engineering education can grow and prosper in Indonesia, our very own region. 

More info has been published at my FB post here

Since RCEE2022 was organized in 1 whole day, most of my attention was focused on this conference.

Other of my highlighted activities:

  • Evaluated MKKK Chemical Engineering as panel at 8.15am @ N01 Viva Room 1
  • Submitted Radis Claim form for consumable purchased – Tan’s vials and rack.
  • Evaluated 2 projects for INDES competition organized by UiTM (after Isya). Amazing projects presented by UiTM researchers and I learned something new.