Memperkenalkan Research-Led Teaching dalam Kursus Pengajaran

Pengajaran dan pembelajaran di peringkat tertier (universiti) perlu sentiasa berkembang dan ditambahbaik, seiring dengan penemuan dan kajian terkini yang telah didapati.

Akan tetapi, kebanyakan kaedah pengajaran dan pembelajaran masih kekal statik, dengan kaedah penyampaian kuliah dan amali sahaja. UTM dengan beberapa inisiatif di bawah New Academia Learning Innovation telah memperkenalkan dan meningkatkan kaedah pembelajaran yang lebih aktif dan berkesan sesuai dengan zaman yang semakin mencabar. 

Salah satu kaedah pembelajaran dan pengajaran yang dapat mengaitkan pelajar dengan kajian dan penemuan terkini adalah dengan satu kaedah dikenali sebagai Research-Led Teaching. 

*Sumber: Nota Prof Ir. Ts. Dr. Sharifah Rafidah binti Wan Alwi

Research-Led Teaching bertujuan untuk mengintegrasikan pengajaran berasaskan aktiviti berasaskan kajian. Ianya menambah pengalaman melaksanakan kajian dalam kelas pengajaran kursus. 

Terdapat empat kaedah pelaksanaan Research-Led Teaching ini, iaitu: Research-based, Research-Oriented, Research-driven, dan Research-tutored. Boleh baca secara mendalam di laman web UTMCDeX: https://utmcdex.utm.my/research-led-teaching/ 

Bagi menambahbaik pelaksanaan kursus Spatial Data Management, kaedah Research-Tutored telah diimplementasikan dalam kelas. Ianya memberikan pelajar yang mengambil kursus ini untuk melaksanakan sebahagian cara melaksanakan kajian. 

Pelajar diberikan tajuk khusus, dan diminta mencari rujukan dalam laman sesawang jurnal, seperti WOS dan Scopus. Pelajar juga didedahkan kaedah menggunakan perisian Mendeley bagi mempercepatkan proses membuat rujukan kelak. Pelajar diminta untuk mencari sekurang-kurangnya 5 artikel jurnal dalam laman sesawang yang dinyatakan. 

Selepas mendapat artikel jurnal ini, pelajar kemudiannya dikehendaki membaca, dan mengenalpasti beberapa perkara utama, antaranya apa tujuan kajian, apa permasalahan, kaedah yang digunakan dalam kajian itu, serta data yang digunakan dalam kajian tersebut. Pelajar kemudiannya diminta untuk mengkelaskan kajian-kajian yang didapati. Kemudian dibentangkan dalam kelas. 

Sesi soal-jawab antara rakan sekelas seterusnya dibuat, untuk melihat, adakah betul hasil kerja dilaksanakan oleh kumpulan tersebut, dan seterusnya persoalan kritikal akan dilontarkan bagi meningkatkan kefahaman pelajar.

Kaedah Research-Led Teaching (Pembelajaran Terpandu-Kajian) ini sangat diperlukan bagi menambahbaik pekerjaan semasa. Lebih-lebih lagi kerajaan menetapkan Malaysia mencapai Negara Berpendapatan Tinggi, yang sangat memerlukan kepada inovasi dalam pelbagai bidang. Dan salah satu kaedahnya, adalah dengan mengkaji kajian terdahulu, serta mengkaji bagaimana penambahbaikan rekabentuk, produk, atau model itu boleh dilaksanakan.

Geeking out over Geospatial at IGRSM Talk 2026/1!

I had the absolute pleasure of moderating today’s IGRSM Talk 2026/1, and what a way to kick off the year! It’s not every day you get to bridge the conversation between the complexities of the deep sea and the urgent needs of global sustainability.

We had two heavyweights in the industry today who truly brought their A-game. My notebook is full, and my mind is buzzing with new perspectives:

Rear Admiral Dr. Najhan bin Md Said (Director General, NHC) – The Admiral gave us a masterclass on “Building Malaysia’s Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure.” It was fascinating to hear how we are moving toward “Smarter Maritime Governance.” It’s clear that managing our vast waters isn’t just about drawing lines on a map; it’s about creating a coordinated, high-tech pathway that links data, policy, and sovereignty.

Gs. Danesh Prakash Chacko (Jeffrey Sachs Centre, Sunway University) – Danesh delivered a powerful reality check on “Sustainability: The Role of GIS.” He showed us that GIS isn’t just a supporting tool for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—it is the very backbone that allows us to measure, visualize, and actually achieve them. His passion for using open data to solve real-world environmental challenges is always infectious!

As a moderator, what struck me most was the synergy between these two topics. Whether we are looking at the sea floor or our urban landscapes, the “Spatial” element is what ties everything together.

A huge thank you to the IGRSM committee for the invitation, to our esteemed speakers for their time, and to the participants for the high-level engagement in the Q&A. The energy in the virtual room today proves that the geospatial community in Malaysia is not just growing—it’s leading.


Stay safe, stay spatial, and see you at the next one!

hashtag#IGRSM hashtag#GIS hashtag#Hydrography hashtag#Sustainability hashtag#SDGs hashtag#GeoAI hashtag#SpatialData hashtag#MalaysiaGeospatial hashtag#MaritimeGovernance hashtag#LifeOfAModerator

GeoConnect 25 Visit — Antaragrafik Systems Sdn Bhd

Last week, the GeoConnect 25 delegation had an insightful visit to Antaragrafik Systems Sdn Bhd, one of Malaysia’s leading geospatial solution providers with over three decades of experience in end-to-end geospatial, mapping, and surveying services.

During the visit, we were welcomed by the CEO, Dato’ Sr. Hj. Nor Azman Baharum, along with the Chief of Sales and several team members, who shared rich insights into the company’s history, vision, and future direction in the geospatial industry. Their presentation highlighted Antaragrafik’s journey since its establishment in 1995 and its strong commitment to delivering comprehensive geospatial solutions across sectors.

We were also introduced to advanced technologies currently used in the field, including:
• Hybrid aerial photogrammetry cameras that support precision airborne data capture
• Hybrid mobile TLF systems for versatile terrestrial surveying
• Automated total station equipment for efficient and accurate geospatial measurement

These demonstrations provided participants with practical exposure to cutting-edge tools driving modern geospatial practices.

The session continued with interactive quizzes, Q&A, and hands-on activities — where students got the chance to try out the equipment and deepen their understanding of how such technologies are applied in real-world geospatial workflows.

A big thank you to the team at Antaragrafik for the warm reception and knowledge sharing, and to the students from the Geoinfo Club, UTM, for coordinating logistics and engagement throughout the visit.

#GeoConnect25 #Antaragrafik #Geospatial #Geomatics #RemoteSensing #Innovation #UTM #Geoinformatics #IndustryEngagement

GeoConnect ’25 – Lawatan ke Pusat Geospatial Negara

Last Tuesday, the GeoConnect 25 delegation had an enriching visit to the Pusat Geospatial Negara (PGN) — the national authority coordinating geospatial data and standards in Malaysia under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability.

We were welcomed and had a productive discussion with Director of PGN, Rusliza Hanim binti Maarif, gaining strategic insights into PGN’s role in driving geospatial coordination, data sharing, and national spatial data infrastructure.

The session continued with a comprehensive presentation by Sr Dr. Noor Anim Zanariah binti Yahaya, where she elaborated on the functions, history, and key initiatives of PGN — from policy development and standards to outreach and technical reference services.

We also learned about data acquisition processes at PGN, including how users and institutions can request and access geospatial data for planning, research, and application development.

The visit concluded with an interactive Q&A session with students, offering them firsthand exposure to national-level geospatial data governance and practical engagement with PGN experts.

This experience was made even more meaningful thanks to the excellent coordination by students from the Geoinfo Club, UTM, who organised the logistics and engagement throughout the visit.

GeoConnect25 #PusatGeospatialNegara #PGN #Geospatial #MyGDI #SpatialData #UTM #Geoinformatics #StudentEngagement

Showcasing My Research on Geospatial Data Management at ACRS 2025

I had the privilege to attend the Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS) 2025 in Makassar, Indonesia (27–31 October 2025), where I presented my paper “A Conceptual Geospatial Data Management Model for National Parks.”

The paper is part of the research grant project, “Database Development on Socio-Economic Management for Wildlife Tourism and Conservation,” focusing on improving how spatial and socio-economic data are managed to support sustainable park management and conservation.

ACRS continues to be an excellent platform for the geospatial and remote sensing community, bringing together researchers, professionals, and industry leaders to exchange ideas and drive innovation across Asia. Truly an inspiring experience to connect with experts shaping the future of geospatial science.

ACRS2025 #RemoteSensing #Geospatial #GIS #NationalParks #Research #Innovation #UTM

GeoMod 3D – International Research Colloquium 2025

I had the opportunity to attend the GeoMod 3D International Research Colloquium 2025, organised by the 3D GIS Research Lab, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), on 21 October 2025.

This one-day event gathered academics, researchers, students, and industry professionals to exchange ideas and share the latest developments in 3D mapping, modelling, and spatial data management. The colloquium featured insightful presentations from international experts, including speakers from Germany, Australia, Turkey, Singapore, and Malaysia, covering topics such as 3D Digital Twins, BIM, LADM, City Models, and Marine Applications.

What made this event even more engaging was the active participation from industry partners such as AFTECH Sdn. Bhd., Indah Geomatik, and I-Net Spatial Sdn. Bhd., who shared their experiences and real-world projects in 3D development and applications within the geospatial sector.

It was a meaningful platform that bridged the gap between academia and industry — fostering collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing in the ever-evolving field of Geoinformatics.

Kudos to the organising team for an excellent and inspiring event! 

D8-NPIR Summit 2025: Strengthening International Collaboration in Research and Innovation

I had the opportunity to join the final day of the D8-Network of Pioneers for Research and Innovation (D8-NPIR) Summit 2025 held in Johor Bahru. The session focused on the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between participating delegations, marking an important milestone in fostering future collaborations among member countries.

It was an inspiring experience to witness representatives from eight D8 nations come together with a shared commitment to advance cooperation in research, innovation, and education.

With Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) now assuming the Chair of D8-NPIR for the next two years, I believe this platform will continue to strengthen international partnerships and open new avenues for impactful collaboration in the years ahead.

#D8NPIR #GlobalCollaboration #ResearchAndInnovation #HigherEducation #UTM #InternationalPartnerships #SustainableDevelopment

A New Experience as Part of NALI 2025 Workshop Committee

This year, I had the privilege to serve as a committee member for NALI 2025, under the Workshop Unit — and it has truly been a different experience from previous years.

This time, my role focused more on the management and execution of NALI pre-workshops, involving four invited speakers delivering insightful sessions on AI integration in teaching and learning. It was also my first time managing the NALI workshop series, as well as taking part in event protocol matters — preparing the emcee script, officiation speech, and coordinating the overall flow of the sessions.

I was also impressed by the creativity shown through the participants’ posters — diverse, engaging, and full of innovative ideas. Of course, there are still many things to improve and learn, but the entire experience has been incredibly valuable.

Here’s to continuous growth, learning, and meaningful contribution to the education community.

NALI2025 AIinEducation TeachingAndLearning HigherEducation InnovationInEducation ProfessionalDevelopment

 

NALI2025 Workshop 3 – Transforming Course Design with AI

I recently attended my third NALI2025 workshop, titled “Transforming Course Design with AI” conducted by Ts. Marsyitah Ismail. The session provided valuable insights into how artificial intelligence can be applied to enhance the development of Micro-Credentials (MCs) — from preparing course notes and structuring delivery, to designing effective student assessments.

With the support of AI tools, educators and institutions can now develop Micro-Credentials more efficiently, ensuring that learning modules are not only comprehensive but also engaging and accessible for learners.

This workshop has been an eye-opening experience, highlighting the potential of AI to transform the way we design and deliver lifelong learning opportunities.

NALI2025 MicroCredential AIinEducation LifelongLearning DigitalLearning HigherEducation

Welcoming New Geoinformatics Students – Session 2025/2026

As the Programme Coordinator for Bachelor of Science in Geoinformatics with Honours, I had the pleasure of welcoming our new students for the 2025/2026 academic session. The session included a programme briefing, an interactive dialogue with the students, and a sharing by the President of the Geoinfo Club.

It was also an honour to have several fellow lecturers join the occasion, celebrating and showing support for our new cohort. This marks the beginning of their journey in Geoinformatics, and we look forward to guiding and inspiring them as they explore the exciting world of geospatial science and technology.

Geoinformatics HigherEducation StudentEngagement Geospatial UTM