Tag Archives: #UTM

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

Behind the Scenes of Academic Auditing: Navigating the Digital Shift

As we hit the middle of September, the course file auditing process officially enters its most critical phase. Following the initial submission stage, our role as academic auditors shifts into high gear, requiring intense focus, meticulous attention to detail, and a thorough evaluation of every single document provided.

Unlike last year when we conducted audits physically with physical folders, this year’s process has transitioned into a fully digital workflow. Navigating a completely digital workspace demands an even higher level of scrutiny to carefully review files on screen, cross-check digital records, and ensure all core requirements and constructive alignment standards are seamlessly met.

Every course file is thoroughly examined, followed by constructive feedback designed to provide actionable insights for continuous course improvement. While reviewing digital documents for hours is demanding and tests our concentration, maintaining high precision remains paramount. Meticulousness is essential to ensure complete fairness, preventing technical oversights or digital file glitches that could inadvertently disadvantage anyone.

Ultimately, whether physical or digital, academic auditing is not about finding fault—it is a supportive, collaborative effort to empower our fellow lecturers and uphold the highest institutional standards in higher education.

#AcademicAuditing #QualityAssurance #HigherEducation #AcademicLife #UTM #TeachingAndLearning #LecturerLife #DigitalTransformation #QualityManagement

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

Strengthening Regional Synergies: RINC 2026, Strategic MoU with NEO Aeronautics, and the JS-SEZ Vision 🇲🇾🇸🇬

Cross-border collaboration and industry-academic alignment are at the heart of driving regional innovation. I had the privilege of attending RINC 2026 (Regional Innovation & Networking Conference) at Singapore Polytechnic, focusing on expanding strategic networks across both industry and academia.

Key Highlights from the Conference

  • Expanding Strategic Networks: Connected with key representatives from Singapore Polytechnic and regional industry leaders to explore impactful synergy in technological innovation and skill development.
  • Formalizing High-Impact Partnerships: Accompanied the Institut UTM JS-SEZ for a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and NEO Aeronautics. This partnership marks a significant leap forward in advancing technological and aerospace capabilities across the region.
  • Deep-Dive into the JS-SEZ Trajectory: Participated in a dedicated parallel session centered on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). The panel and participants engaged in rich discussions covering:
    • Strategic direction, policy integration, and current progress.
    • Real-world operational challenges, pros, and trade-offs in implementation.
    • Practical recommendations and high-potential avenues to foster stronger bilateral cooperation to catalyze the growth of JS-SEZ.

💡 Driving the Next Era of Regional Growth

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone represents a transformative engine for economic and technological convergence. Through active participation, cutting-edge research, and robust institutional links, UTM continues to position itself at the forefront of shaping this dynamic regional landscape.

Exciting times lie ahead as these strategic conversations turn into actionable, high-impact outcomes!

#RINC2026 #JSSEZ #UTM #SingaporePolytechnic #NEOAeronautics #CrossBorderCollaboration #RegionalInnovation #IndustryPartnerships #HigherEducation #MalaysiaSingapore

Bridging Technical Precision & Natural Wonders: Chairing the KKMLGT Meeting at Gombak Geopark!

It was a true privilege to chair the KKMLGT (Multi-Lingual Glossary of Terms) Meeting No. 2/2026. This time, we stepped out of the conventional boardroom and gathered in a truly unique setting—Gua Lepak, Gombak!


Standardizing Terminology for the Geospatial Community
Our core mission during this session was continuing the vital work of standardizing technical terms. We translated complex terminology and definitions from international English standards (such as ISO) into Bahasa Melayu. This ongoing effort ensures that our local geospatial and technical community has access to accurate, standardized, and culturally aligned language definitions.

Immersive Field Visit: Gua Lepak & Gua Damai
Holding the meeting at a geopark site allowed us to combine rigorous technical deliberation with a hands-on geological immersion. Following the meeting, we conducted a working visit to two iconic caves within the Gombak Geopark managed by the Department of Mineral and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG): Gua Lepak and Gua Damai.

During the tour, our team received an enriching geological briefing detailing:
– Limestone Cave Formation: The fascinating origin stories and chemical processes that shaped these ancient cave systems over millions of years.
– Speleothems: How majestic stalactites and stalagmites slowly form drop by drop.
– Tectonic Evolution: The deep geological history behind the uplift and formation of the main backbone of Peninsular Malaysia, the Titiwangsa Range (Banjaran Titiwangsa).

Connecting Words with Earth
There is something deeply grounding about discussing geospatial standardization surrounded by millions of years of Earth’s history. Connecting technical language development with real-world geological landscapes reminds us why preserving, understanding, and accurately describing our spatial environment is so crucial.


A big thank you to all committee members and JMG officers for a highly productive meeting and an enlightening field experience!

hashtag#Geospatial hashtag#LanguageStandardization hashtag#KKMLGT hashtag#GombakGeopark hashtag#GuaLepak hashtag#GuaDamai hashtag#JMG hashtag#Geology hashtag#ISO hashtag#Malaysia

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

Invited as SME to PGN!

Honored to be invited by the National Geospatial Centre (PGN) as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to conduct a briefing and knowledge-sharing session on the MS2647 metadata standard. 🗺️📊

This special invitation was part of an initiative to enhance and upgrade the MyGeoportal application, ensuring it aligns with the latest developments of the MS2647 standard.

During the session, we dived deep into the technicalities, and I had the privilege of sharing insights on understanding MS2647, the key components in the standard, the 4 main parts in this documents, understanding and aligning the main document information, with information in Annex B and Annex C.

  • Understanding MS2647: Breaking down the core framework and requirements of the standard.
  • Implementation Strategies: Practical approaches to adopting the standard effectively.

I hope this sharing session provides a clear and actionable roadmap for the PGN team, ultimately contributing to a more robust, standardized, and efficient MyGDI improvement.

Looking forward to seeing the new and improved MyGeoportal in action! 🚀

#SubjectMatterExpert #Geospatial #Metadata #MS2647 #MyGeoportal #PGN #DataStandardization #KnowledgeSharing #GIS #AcademicInsights

The Journey Continues: Advancing the Multi-Lingual Glossary of Terms (MLGT) for Geospatial Standards

Continuity is the key to precision. I recently resumed my role as Chairperson for the Multi-Lingual Glossary of Terms (MLGT) Working Group under NSC7/TC2, continuing our vital mission to bridge the gap between global ISO standards and our national language.

Our task remains steadfast: translating complex English technical terms from ISO documents into Bahasa Melayu, ensuring every definition carries the exact technical weight required for the geospatial and geographic communities.

Progress Report: Staying the Course

In our latest session, we focused on “pemutihan” (refinement) and alignment, ensuring our work is perfectly synchronized with the ISO Geolexica portal and ready for integration into the PRPM by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP).

  • Current Milestone: 329 terms have now been successfully translated.
  • Latest Refinement: 19 terms underwent a rigorous review to ensure absolute alignment with international standards.
  • Efficiency in Selection: 224 terms were deprecated to ensure our glossary remains concise and relevant.
  • The Road Ahead: With approximately 900 terms still on the horizon, the process continues.

Standardizing a technical language is a marathon, not a sprint. By persisting in this work, we are ensuring that our local professionals have the clarity they need to implement global best practices with confidence.

Proud of the steady progress we are making, one term at a time.

#Geospatial #ISOStandards #MLGT #Standardization #NationalMapping #DBP #Geolexica #GeographicInformation #ProfessionalLeadership #BahasaMelayu #TechnicalTranslation

New Publication Alert!: Bridging Spatial Data Sharing and Smart City Innovation

I am excited to share that my latest research chapter, “Spatial Data Sharing in Smart Cities Implementation: A Systematic Literature Review,” has been published by Springer Nature!

As cities worldwide transition into “Smart Cities,” the ability to share, integrate, and visualize spatial data—from GIS and remote sensing to drone technology—becomes the backbone of urban sustainability and citizen well-being.

Key Insights from the Chapter:

~ Global Trends: Our systematic review (using the PSALSAR technique) highlights that the Asian region, particularly China, is leading the discourse in this field.
~ Core Challenges: We scrutinized five critical areas—Technology, Data Quality, Social impact, Environmental factors, and Governance.
~ Future Roadmaps: The study outlines four strategic directions, including empowering community collaboration in Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) and transforming governance toward “Spatial Enablement.”

In an era where “Location Intelligence” drives decision-making, understanding the hurdles of data compatibility, security, and accessibility is crucial for researchers and urban planners alike.

🔗 Read the full chapter here: https://lnkd.in/gnXVKftG

A big thank you to the editorial team for bringing this comprehensive review to life. I hope this work serves as a valuable resource for those shaping the future of our urban ecosystems.

#SmartCities#SpatialData#GIS#SpringerNature#ResearchPublication#UrbanPlanning#DigitalTransformation#SDI#LocationIntelligence#AcademicWriting

Strengthening Data Collaboration for Wildlife Sustainability at JTS, Kuching

Despite the heavy rain in Kuching since early morning, our spirits remained high as we gathered at the Land and Survey Department (JTS) for a strategic discussion regarding the research grant led by Dr. Noordyana.

Our focus was centered on the project: “Database Development on Socio-economic Management for Wildlife Tourism and Conservation.” This session was crucial as it involved coordinating the integration and management of databases developed through this grant for the benefit of all relevant agencies.

A heartfelt thank you to our strategic partners for their invaluable insights during our session at JTS including JTS, SFC, SAINS and other participants from Land Office and Resident’s Office.

The synergy between academia and government agencies is the cornerstone of ensuring that socio-economic management in wildlife tourism and conservation is driven by accurate, centralized data.

I am hopeful that the outcomes of today’s discussion will yield long-term positive impacts for all stakeholders and for the natural heritage of Sarawak.

#WildlifeConservation #DataManagement #Sarawak #ResearchGrant #Sustainability #SocioEconomic #EcoTourism #ConservationData #JTS #Kuching