Category Archives: GIS

New Chapter Unlocked: Shaping the Future of Malaysia’s National Atlas

As an intense September filled with academic deadlines, back-to-back programs, and strategic meetings finally began to wind down, an exciting new assignment came my way. Representing my Head of Department, I had the privilege of attending the Mesyuarat Teknikal Penerbitan Atlas Kebangsaan at Wisma JUPEM, Kuala Lumpur. Spearheaded by JUPEM’s Bahagian Kartografi dan GIS, this technical meeting marked a crucial first step toward a landmark national project.

Bringing together around 25 key representatives from various federal government ministries, Sabah and Sarawak state agencies, and higher education institutions, the session served as the official kickoff for the design and development of Malaysia’s new National Atlas. The existing atlas was last published in 2016—with minor amendments in 2022—making it a decade old. In an era of rapid physical, environmental, and socio-economic transformation, updating this master publication is vital to accurately reflect our nation’s evolving spatial landscape.

Developing a comprehensive National Atlas is a massive collaborative undertaking. It relies heavily on inter-agency synergy, as each organization holds specialized, up-to-date datasets that must be integrated, refined, and standardized before publication. It is a privilege for academia to play a active role in this strategic initiative, and I look forward to contributing toward a modern, authoritative National Atlas that will serve decision-makers, researchers, and the public for years to come.

#NationalAtlas #JUPEM #Cartography #GIS #Geospatial #UTM #FABU #HigherEducation #SpatialData #MappingMalaysia #AcademicLife

Connecting the Dots: Internship Evaluations in Geoinformatics

Evaluating our industrial training students is always one of the most fulfilling parts of academic life because it gives us a direct window into how classroom theories translate into real-world applications. For this round, since our four students are attached to four different companies in various locations, we took the evaluation sessions online. Each student presented their day-to-day scope of work, key project contributions, and the unique challenges they faced during their placement.

These sessions are crucial from an academic standpoint. They allow us to carefully assess whether the host companies provide a suitable learning environment and ensure that the scope of work truly aligns with the core principles of Geoinformatics. Seeing them handle real GIS workflows, spatial data management, and industry-grade tools confirms that they are getting the solid industry exposure they deserve.

I hope our students maximize this golden opportunity to absorb as much practical knowledge and technical skill as possible. More importantly, I look forward to having them bring these rich experiences back to UTM, sharing their insights and inspiring their peers. All the best to our interns as they complete their industry journey!

#IndustrialTraining #Geoinformatics #InternshipSupervision #UTM #FABU #HigherEducation #GIS #StudentDevelopment #AcademicLife #SpatialData

Throwback & Academic Service: Reflecting on My Appointment as Proceedings Chapter Editor for IGRSM 2026

Looking back at key milestones earlier this year, I was honored to receive my official appointment back in June as a Proceedings Chapter Editor for the 13th IGRSM International Conference and Exhibition on Geospatial & Remote Sensing (IGRSM 2026).

Maintaining rigorous scholarly standards and high-quality peer review is a continuous, behind-the-scenes responsibility in academia. Working alongside Chief Editor Assoc. Prof. Gs. Dr. Norizah Kamarudin and the editorial team to curate, review, and refine the conference proceedings—published under Penerbit UPM—has been a deeply fulfilling experience.

My sincere gratitude once again to Conference Chairperson Prof. Gs. Dr. Abdul Rashid Mohammed Shariff and the IGRSM 2026 Organising Committee for their trust. IGRSM continues to serve as a premier flagship platform connecting researchers, academics, and industry leaders to drive the future of remote sensing and location intelligence across the region.

#Throwback #IGRSM2026 #RemoteSensing #Geospatial #ProceedingsEditor #PenerbitUPM #UTM #AcademicExcellence #ResearchPublishing #GIS

Fostering International Geospatial Synergies: Strategic Discussion with Prof. Abbas Rajabifard

Bridging global expertise is essential to advancing spatial data governance and building resilient geospatial ecosystems. I had the privilege of engaging in a highly inspiring initial discussion with Prof. Abbas Rajabifard, from Centre of Spatial Data Infrastructure and Land Administration (CSDILA), Melbourne University, to explore strategic collaborative pathways between our institutions and across borders.

Despite a brief session, the discussion was packed with valuable insights and shared vision from both sides. We explored several key areas of mutual interest:

  • Joint Research Frontiers: Pushing the boundaries of Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) and analyzing the multi-faceted dimensions of the Geospatial Ecosystem.
  • Capacity Building & Module Development: Co-designing specialized training programs and educational modules to enhance SDI readiness and geospatial application for both nations.
  • Multi-Sector Knowledge Transfer: Ensuring research outcomes directly translate into actionable value for universities, federal and state government bodies, and private sector stakeholders.

Prof. Abbas expressed incredible warmth and optimism for a long-term partnership, emphasizing the valuable perspectives both sides bring to the table.

Looking forward to turning these preliminary ideas into impactful initiatives that empower spatial enablement and benefit our broader community! 🚀

#Geospatial #SpatialDataInfrastructure #SDI #InternationalCollaboration #GeospatialEcosystem #CapacityBuilding #UTM #SpatialEnablement #HigherEducation

Selamat Datang Warga Baharu Geoinformatik: Bermulanya Satu Perjalanan Baru!

Suasana di Fakulti Alam Bina dan Ukur (FABU), UTM kembali meriah dengan kehadiran wajah-wajah baharu yang penuh semangat pada 5 Oktober 2026. Sesi aluan pelajar baharu Program Sarjana Muda Sains Geoinformatik dengan Kepujian kali ini cukup istimewa apabila disambut hangat oleh hampir kesemua rakan pensyarah program.

Seramai lebih kurang 90 orang pelajar baharu dari dalam dan luar negara, termasuk lepasan pelbagai latar belakang diploma, kini rasmi melangkah masuk ke dalam keluarga besar Geoinformatik UTM. Majlis dimulakan dengan kata-kata azimat dan amanat inspirasi daripada Dekan FABU, Ketua Jabatan, serta PM Dr. Faisal.

Seterusnya, Dr. Suzanna Azmy selaku Penyelaras Program memberikan penerangan komprehensif mengenai struktur pengajian dan hala tuju akademik bagi memastikan para pelajar bersedia mengemudi perjalanan mereka. Selepas sesi bergambar beramai-ramai yang merakamkan detik permulaan ini, suasana diteruskan dengan perkongsian yang lebih dekat di hati daripada Presiden Kelab Geoinfo dan alumni program, memberikan gambaran sebenar tentang kehidupan kampus serta realiti kerjaya geospatial.

Melihat kepelbagaian latar belakang dan tenaga positif para pelajar baharu ini memberikan kami di barisan akademik semangat baharu untuk membimbing mereka.

Selamat datang ke UTM, manfaatkan sepenuhnya peluang yang ada, terokai dunia geospatial dengan rasa ingin tahu yang tinggi, dan bina kenangan terindah sepanjang bergelar mahasiswa!

#Geoinformatics#UTMMalaysia#FABU#Geospatial#Freshies2026#HigherEducation#AcademicLife#UniversityLife#GeoinfoFamily

Venturing into New Horizons: Bridging Geospatial Science with Smart Agriculture

For years, my research journey has been deeply rooted in the technical and collaborative dimensions of spatial data sharing—focusing on location intelligence for sustainable housing and biodiversity conservation.

While those domains remain near to my heart, it is time to expand into a new horizon: Smart Farming & Agricultural Sustainability.

Tackling this new frontier means applying proven spatial analytics and data-sharing frameworks to agricultural ecosystems; Precision Planting: Utilizing spatial data to optimize crop placement, soil health monitoring, and resource allocation. Smart Farming Solutions: Integrating data analytics to help growers streamline operations and maximize yield efficiency. Agricultural Sustainability: Driving data-backed strategies to strengthen food security and promote sustainable land management.

Stepping into an unfamiliar domain brings fresh challenges, but applying geospatial tools to real-world agritech is deeply exciting. Looking forward to learning, collaborating with industry partners, and shaping impactful solutions for the future of farming!

#NewHorizons #SmartFarming #Agritech #Geospatial #SpatialDataSharing #PrecisionAgriculture #Sustainability #ResearchImpact #UTM

Stepping Into New Frontiers: Mobilizing Action for World Antarctica Day

Stepping outside my core domain to embrace new challenges, I am excited to share that I have intived to join the organizing committee for one of the program in World Antarctica Day!

Antarctica may seem distant, but its accelerating climate changes directly impact global weather patterns, sea levels, and ecosystems. Currently in the early planning stages, our initiative aims to:

  • Raise Awareness: Unpack the reality and urgency of accelerating climate change.
  • Drive Action: Highlight practical, everyday steps individuals and communities can take to mitigate environmental impact.

Tackling new fields keeps us growing, especially when it centers on protecting our shared planet. Looking forward to shaping this impactful initiative as our plans unfold! This small program will focus on Secondary School Students, in one of the school nearby UTM.

#WorldAntarcticaDay #ClimateAction #Sustainability #NewFrontiers #ContinuousLearning #EnvironmentalAwareness #UTM

Advancing National Security: Integrating GeoAI into Modern Crime Investigation with PDRM 👮‍♂️🌐

Honored to be invited as a speaker at the Seminar Aplikasi AI dalam Siasatan Jenayah Moden dan Keselamatan Negara, organized by Maktab PDRM at Dewan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Maktab PDRM Cheras.

My presentation focused on “Integrasi Kecerdasan Buatan (AI) & GeoAI dalam Siasatan Jenayah & Keselamatan Awam,” exploring how geospatial data paired with artificial intelligence can transform law enforcement and public safety operations.

Key Highlights from the Session:

  • Foundations of GeoAI: Unpacking the synergy between spatial analytics, location intelligence, and artificial intelligence.
  • Why Location Intelligence Matters: Demonstrating how spatial context (“where”) unlocks critical insights beyond traditional data during crime analysis.
  • Real-World Applications: Sharing practical use cases of GeoAI in crime hot-spot mapping, predictive spatial modeling, and resource optimization for public safety.
  • Future Horizons: Outlining strategic directions for adopting next-generation GeoAI tools to bolster national security.

It was an incredible experience engaging with the officers at Maktab PDRM. Sincere thanks to the organizers and leadership for the warm welcome and fruitful discussions. Bridging academic innovation with frontline policing is essential to building a safer, digitally resilient Malaysia.

#GeoAI #AI #NationalSecurity #PDRM #MaktabPDRM #CrimeInvestigation #PublicSafety #Geospatial #LocationIntelligence #SpatialDataScience #UTM

Off to Teluk Gorek – Visiting GIS Training Camp!

Just completed a site visit to the GIS Training Camp (KLGIS) at Teluk Gorek, Mersing!

The KLGIS (GIS Training Camp) program is a crucial field platform for students to translate theoretical knowledge into practical reality. Throughout this camp, they have the opportunity to strengthen their technical skills and gain hands-on experience in various fieldwork processes, including:

🔹 Traverse Surveying 🔹 Detailing 🔹 Airborne Mapping 🔹 LiDAR Technology Applications

Aside from overseeing the smooth execution of the program, the main purpose of my visit was to provide moral support and a boost of encouragement. A massive kudos and congratulations to the dedicated camp facilitators and the resilient students who are braving the challenges of fieldwork out there.

Fieldwork experiences like these are what build the endurance and technical competencies highly sought after by the industry. Keep up the excellent work, and may the knowledge gained at Teluk Gorek leave a lasting impact on your future careers! 🚀🌍

#KLGIS #Geospatial #GIS #Surveying #LiDAR #AirborneMapping #TelukGorek #Mersing #AcademicLife #FutureProfessionals

Empowering Sarawak’s Geospatial Future with the WtCE ToT Session!

Following our successful database validation milestone in Kuching, we have officially moved into the next critical phase: capacity building. We recently successfully conducted an intensive Training of Trainers (ToT) session for the WtCE (Wildlife Tourism and Conservation Ecosystems) Geodatabase!

The core purpose of this ToT was to transition the project from a conceptual framework into a living, breathing ecosystem capable of empowering our strategic partners on the ground.

🔍 Deep-Dives & Architecture Discussions

We kicked off the session by mapping out the strategic landscape of the system—candidly evaluating its strengths and limitations to prepare users for real-world scenarios. We also unpacked the newly refined Class Diagrams and structured the operational guidelines for the database.

To ensure long-term sustainability and robust governance, the WtCE Geodatabase is expected to be securely hosted by Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS), featuring a secure architecture accessible exclusively to registered and authorized users.

💻 Practical, Hands-On ArcGIS Pro Mastery

Theoretical knowledge is only as good as its execution. To bridge this gap, the trainers underwent a comprehensive, hands-on technical workshop utilizing ArcGIS Pro. The modules covered essential day-to-day operations, including:

  • Project Management: Effectively opening and configuring ArcGIS Pro workspace environments.
  • Data Navigation: Seamlessly retrieving centralized spatial layers.
  • Data Entry & Editing: Executing precise data entry and modification for both spatial (geographic charts/maps) and non-spatial (attribute data) datasets.

💡 The Ultimate Goal: Maximizing Data Synergy

With this training successfully completed, the ultimate hope is for the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) to fully capitalize on this highly optimized geodatabase structure.

By migrating and populating the system with their rich repository of existing field data, SFC will unlock unprecedented clarity in managing and protecting Sarawak’s wildlife tourism and conservation data.

A massive thank you to all the brilliant participants who brought their dedication and sharp minds to this ToT session. One step closer to a digitally resilient, spatially enabled Sarawak! 🌿💪

#Geospatial #TrainingOfTrainers #ArcGISPro #DataGovernance #SAINS #SFC #WildlifeConservation #Sarawak #Geodatabase #CapacityBuilding #TechForGood