MDeC, University of Malaya, Cisco to Create ICT specialists for Malaysian SMEs Kuala Lumpur, 24

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 AUGUST 2009 – Two young Malaysia-based entrepreneurs have won awards for the design and build of their multi-touch screen called Smart Surface. 

Smart Surface’s co-founders, Faysal Abdulaziz (managing director) and Homam Alghorani (executive director) said the product was envisioned during their student days at APIIT (Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology), where they became interested in multi-touch technology and related natural computer interfacing. 

The first prototype was designed and built at the beginning of 2009 when, in February, an entrepreneur offered the two aforementioned developers to co-form a company and fund their research, said Abdulaziz. 

“Smart Surface is completely designed and built in Malaysia,” said Abdulaziz, who added that the product was launched commercially in May 2009, during the 20th ITEX09 [International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition] exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur. 

During ITEX09, which was organised by MINDS (Malaysian, Invention & Design Society) and the ministry of science, technology and innovation, the product won two awards for Best Invention – Corporate Category, and the ITEX Gold Medal Award. 

Pioneering use of the LCD screen
The company focuses on research and development of in-house multi-touch hardware and software solutions, said Abdulaziz. “As far as we know, another Malaysian provider of a similar product, Kreateevee, uses rear projection technology for display with diffused infra-red (IR) illumination for movement detection.” 

“We do use this technology in some of our early models, but we also are the pioneers in exploring the use of the LCD screen for display technology, instead of rear-projection, as well as LASER [light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation] detection technology, instead of IR illumination,” he said. “Therefore, Smart Surface is the only company that has a full range of multi-touch and surface computer application technologies [rear-projection, LCD display, LASER recognition technology, tabletop and vertical walls].” 

“Smart Surface has already been in commercial use by many companies,” he added. “That means we are technologically ahead in term of solving the many problems associated with any commercial use of the product. For example, for rear-projection technology, we achieved a tabletop display size ratio to the external dimensions of the top of the table of almost 1:1.” 

Future plans
“It is noteworthy that some of our clients, such as British American Tobacco and Cool Merchant Connections had already approached other local companies that offered multi-touch technology,” he added. “However, they opted to use Smart Surface products after they compared all technological aspects.” 

Regarding future developments, he said: “We have already spoken with APIIT for cooperation through internships for students who will learn firsthand about our multi-touch technology and its applications. This will enrich the academic field of multi-touch research in Malaysia.” 

“We also have ongoing discussions with the Centre for Research & Innovation Management at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, for possible cooperation on developing suitable applications for them,” said Abdulaziz.

World Wide Web Domination Win is Malaysia's Gain

The award-winning website team does it again and every time they score on the international stage they bring glory not only to the world’s creativity University but also to Malaysia for online creativity and innovation.

The young creators of the Limkokwing official website, World Wide Web Domination (W3D), is on the roll again by taking home 18 international awards over the last two months, probably the only university web in the country to do so with such regularity.

The awards are all the more significant because they are from established US-based organisations known for their high standards and criteria.

The judges who are industry professionals picked the Limkokwing University website based on design, innovation content, technology, interactivity, copywriting and functionality, and the awards are a testimony that clearly reflects Malaysia’s sophistication for producing outstanding multimedia products and services.

Young, talented and savvy

W3D is dominated by dedicated team players who are all alumni below 30 years of age and for them winning is all in a day’s to come up with some amazing stuff.

Along the way, these young men and women have placed the country on the same pedestal as world-class names such as DreamWorks, Paramount, Levi’s, Walt Disney, Nissan, Pizza Hut, FIAT, Hewlett-Packard, Alcatel Lucent, Mattel, Pepsi, MTV, Samsung, Yahoo! among other distinguished brands.

W3D comes under the able command of Dato’ Timothy Lim Kok Wing Jr who is a computer wizard in his own right. Working closely with the University Founder President, Timothy handles the day-to-day management of the outfit, which also includes conceptualization, content creation and direction of the creative team.

Winning streak

Since 2009, Limkokwing University has won 30 more international awards again proving that Malaysia has the talents, resources and professionalism to create great online work of international standards.

Recently, the World Wide Web Domination again proved that have what it takes to be an award-winning web team when they won two Outstanding Achievement Awards under the Education category in the 2011 Interactive Media Awards (IMA) for the Limkokwing Community Portal and iPhone Applications.

The second highest honour bestowed by IMA, it was based on specific criteria: design, content, feature functionality, usability and standards compliance and cross-browser compatibility. The Limkokwing Community Portal and iPhone Applications received an overall score of 464 from a maximum of 500 points.

Worldwide hit

The University’ official website is probably the such portal in Malaysia or in the world to register over 200 million hits annually from 220 countries and territories worldwide, or one that is yet to be matched by others.

This amazing achievement is again to the credit of the Limkokwing web team that is fast changing the landscape of the online skyline through their passion and creativity to excel in the field, and bring home more international awards so it may also be Malaysia’ gain too.

With more than 40 international awards showcasing their performance since 2009, the World Wide Web Domination is already strategising yet another global award, soon.

IMU Expands Credit Transfer Options for Biomedical Science Students

16 February 2011

International Medical University (IMU) recently provided another credit transfer

option for students who have applied for its biomedical science programme, giving

these students an exciting new option to continue their education in an overseas university.

Through this arrangement, credit transfer students from IMU will be required to complete

the first part of their studies in IMU before transferring to University of Strathclyde.

These students will receive academic credit for the subjects they have successfully

completed in IMU and use this towards the completion of their degree. The degree

will then be awarded by University of Strathclyde.

"We are pleased to be able to provide an additional credit transfer option for students

in the biomedical science programme. Providing students with this additional credit

transfer option is an affordable way for IMU students to gain access to a UK education

and towards obtaining an overseas degree," said A/Prof Chen Yu Sui, programme

coordinator of the biomedical science programme at IMU.

The University of Strathclyde was founded in 1796 and is Scotland"s third largest,

with some 14,000 students from more than 90 countries. The University is recognised

as a centre of teaching excellence in Scotland and stands among the best in the world.

A/Prof Chen Yu Sui added, "Without doubt, this arrangement would offer vast benefits

to them as it uniquely allows students to experience the learning environments

of two leading universities in Malaysia and the UK. Another benefit for the

students is the discovery and understanding of cultures from around the world

as this is a critical component for a

healthcare professional. This is certainly one of the reasons for us to continuously

look for additional transfer options for students and part of its ongoing mission to train

and promote excellence in the healthcare industry."

University of Strathclyde has been a member of IMU"s network of partner universities

for more than 10 years. Prior to this, the university has collaborative and

credit transfer arrangements with IMU for its pharmacy and psychology

programmes. With this

collaboration, University of Strathclyde will be expanding the number

of IMU

programmes that the university is having collaborative agreements.

In addition to the credit transfer option with the University of Strathclyde, students

applying for the biomedical science programme also have the opportunity to transfer

the credits that they have earned in IMU to the University of Otago in New Zealand or

University of Newcastle in Australia after successful completion of the first part of their

course in IMU. Students also have the option to complete the entire biomedical science

degree in IMU and obtain a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Biomedical Science from IMU.

UMT Signs Aggreements with Telekom Malaysia for Broadband Capacity Upgrade

 Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) hari ini telah memeterai perjanjian dengan Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) bagi menaiktaraf kapasiti perkhidmatan jalur lebar TM Direct dari 16Mbps ke 45Mbps.
Dengan peningkatan kapasiti capaian Internet ke 45Mbps ini, UMT akan berupaya meningkatkan keberkesanan sistem operasinya di seluruh kampus termasuk semua jabatan dan dewan kuliah.
Di majlis ini, TM telah diwakili oleh Y.Bhg Dato’ Adnan Rofiee, Ketua Pegawai Operasi, TM Retail, Malaysia Business, TM manakala UMT diwakili oleh Y.Bhg. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Sulaiman Bin Md Yassin, Naib Canselor, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu .

Perkhidmatan jalur lebar TM Direct yang disediakan oleh TM ini akan memberikan UMT capaian Internet berkelajuan tinggi yang dapat memenuhi segala keperluannya sebagai sebuah organisasi pendidikan yang mementingkan kualiti dan sentiasa mengorak langkah untuk maju kehadapan. Sehubungan dengan itu, teknologi telekomunikasi yang baik dan keselesaan dalam mengakses maklumat dari Internet bukan sahaja akan menambah pengetahuan pihak pengurusan, tenaga pengajar dan pelajarnya, tetapi ia juga dapat meningkatkan prestasi dan daya saing UMT dalam sektor pendidikan global yang semakin kompetetif.

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Sulaiman Md Yassin dalam ucapannya berkata, ” Kami berharap dengan penaiktarafan infrastruktur ini, pelajar UMT akan dapat menerapkan gaya hidup digital masa kini, sekaligus memperolehi pencapaian yang cemerlang dalam pengkhususan pengajian masing-masing”.

Berucap di majlis tersebut, Dato’ Adnan Rofiee berkata, “Penyediaan perkhidmatan litar suwa jalur lebar TM Direct daripada TM ini adalah bertepatan pada masanya kerana ia dapat menyokong pembangunan UMT, disamping meningkatkan keberkesanan pengurusan dan sistem pentadbiran jabatan-jabatan di seluruh kampus”.

”Selain capaian Internet yang laju, TM juga turut menyediakan perkhidmatan-perkhidmatan tambah nilai seperti “web hosting” dan “storage access network” kepada UMT. Dengan ini, UMT akan dapat menyediakan kemudahan ICT yang menyeluruh kepada pelajar-pelajarnya. Selain dari itu, pihak UMT juga akan dapat menikmati penjimatan kos mengurus dan menyelenggara rangkaian datanya kerana ianya akan dipantau dan diselenggarakan sepenuhnya oleh TM melalui Pusat Operasi Rangkaiannya yang berpusat di Kuala Lumpur”, tambah Dato’ Adnan.

Majlis yang diadakan pada hari ini juga merupakan salah satu usaha TM dalam menyokong usaha Kerajaan merealisasikan matlamat penubuhan Wilayah Pembangunan Ekonomi Koridor Pantai Timur (ECER). ECER yang dilancarkan secara rasmi oleh YAB. Dato’ Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, Perdana Menteri Malaysia pada 29 Oktober 2007 di Kuala Terengganu menumpukan kepada tiga sektor utama iaitu Pertanian, Pelancongan dan Pendidikan.

Hand-on-Skill

 STUDENTS enrolled in Nilai University College (Nilai UC)’s Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering not only learn in the classroom, but have the opportunity to apply their knowledge on a real aircraft at the institution’s very own hangar.

Soon, these students will have the option to further their knowledge in the field through a recently signed memorandum of understanding with the United Kingdom’s (UK) Kingston University and CAA International Ltd (CAAi), a subsidiary of the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Nilai UC president Prof Emeritus Tengku Datuk Shamsul Bahrin said students would have the option of pursuing an engineering degree in Aircraft Maintenance through its partnership with Kingston.

Prof Emeritus Tengku Shamsul (right) exchanging documents with Dr Mason at the ceremony.

 

“Students who want to further their studies after the diploma will have the avenue to do so locally through a one-year top-up degree programme with Kingston.

“With the agreement, Kingston will also now be providing the notes for the diploma programme while CAAi will regulate the examinations throughout the course duration,” he said at the signing ceremony recently.

The degree programme with Kingston is scheduled to commence next January, together with additional options in helicopter maintenance and avionics.

Prof Emeritus Tengku Shamsul said Nilai UC, which had been running the diploma programme for the past three years, aims to produce trained professionals who meet international aviation standards.

“Although three years is not a long time, we have worked hard to ensure the programme was accredited and now we are pleased to team up with Kingston and CAAi to further enhance the programme.

Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering students working on an aircraft during a practical sesion.

 

“Industry acceptance is also important and we are lucky to have the support of nine industry partners — SR Aviations Ltd, Berjaya Air, Dnest Aviation Services, KLAS, GGIFA, Sabah Air, Subang General Aviation Sdn Bhd, Integrated Training and Services Aviation Academy and Systematic General Aviation Sdn Bhd,” he said.

Aircraft Maintenance department head M. Kunalan said the partnership also allowed students to obtain valuable feedback on their examination performance.

“It is important for the students to know how they fare in the examinations, and now they will be able to get feedback on their performance from the CAAi,” he said.

Also present at the ceremony were Kingston University engineering faculty dean Dr Peter Mason and CAAi training and examinations unit senior manager Matthew Margesson.

Introduction of FSKM ICT Week 2010

Come join over 1000 participants from future knowledge workers in Malaysia and users in the IT carnival which concentrate on green technology which will be held on 24th March 2010 to 27th March 2010 at Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematical, University Technology MARA, Shah Alam Selangor.

IS AND IT GOING GREEN CARNIVAL is heralded as the platform for “gathering of tribes” of IT communities, as well as businesses, academicians and its’ communities to share and show off their thoughts, experiences, ideas and projects. By end of the event, it will create awareness to the meaning and importance of “IS and IT Going Green” and also cultivating individuals and organization towards the same direction. As the meat of the event is its presentations and discussions, we have allocated 6 speaking slots opportunities. Drawing on a huge community we will discuss some of the most current and poignant topics in the industry today.

IS AND IT GOING GREEN CARNIVAL is organized by an Executive Committee comprised of volunteers from FSKM student UiTM. As such, it requires support through strategic partnerships that will assist it in fulfilling its role.

IS AND IT GOING GREEN CARNIVAL offers a dynamic opportunity to strengthen your organization’s exposure to your key target markets.

ICT News of Universiti Malaya (UM)

UPM and UM Enhance Learning Facilities and Empower Student Lives with 4G Mobile Internet

Kuala Lumpur, 13 September 2010 – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Malaya (UM) today joined the Education Partner Program (EPP) spearheaded by YTL Communications Sdn Bhd (YTL Comms). Under the program, both universities will apply the power of 4G Mobile Internet campus-wide to give their students cutting-edge learning facilities and further enhance the quality of life on campus for both students and academic staff.

UM plans to utilise YTL's 4G Campus-wide Network to boost research activities and be among the top 100 universities in the world

UPM and UM are the third and fourth local university respectively to join the EPP program in the last two months after UTM and UTAR. All twenty of Malaysia’s public universities and selected private universities are expected to join the program by the end of the year.

“We want the students to access our enterprise, learning and research services from anywhere and at anytime and therefore we are pleased to partner with YTL Comms to give our students the freedom and the convenience of 4G Mobile Internet,” said Professor Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Nik Mustapha R. Abdullah, Vice Chancellor of UPM.

“We champion the model of Ubiquitous Learning at UPM. This means learning whatever, whenever, wherever. We call it www-learning, which is, incidentally, the way the real Internet should be, too”, said Associate Professor Dr. Suhaimi Napis, CTO and Director, InfoComm Development Centre (iDEC), UPM.

The Ubiquitous Learning Environment (ULE) at UPM, the brainchild of Dr. Suhaimi, relies on the Malaysian Research and Education Network (MYREN), a high-capacity broadband network that connects universities, colleges, research organisations and scientific laboratories. UPM was one of the founding proposers of this dedicated network that provides a platform for creating research communities and encourages them to exchange ideas and collaborate with international partners.

YTL's 4G Campus-wide Network is set to take UPM's model of Ubiquitous Learning Environment (ULE) even further.

While UPM’s ubiquitous learning model relies on MYREN as the foundation, the university also has a number of cloud services that can support blended learning – a mixture of remote and on-premise education. For example, the video collaboration services, 1VideoBridge, make live virtual classes possible, with up to 160 laptops, desktops and other compatible devices connected at one time, where students can interact with the lecturer and each other. We also have uCast, modelled after a popular video-sharing portal to facilitate video-on-demand.

“All this innovation that supports the ubiquitous learning model can’t be fully harnessed by the students without high speed Internet access that is available everywhere and from any device,” said Dr. Suhaimi. “The power of 4G Mobile Internet will create new ways for education to be delivered and we are already working with YTL Comms to enable interoperability between our learning and research cloud services and all platforms, including new Android-based devices, which we are eager to explore.” He added.

Under the EPP partnership, each student will receive FREE converged data and voice services of 300 megabytes per user, on a monthly basis over a period of 3 years at anytime and from anywhere throughout the campus grounds. On top of that, the students will be able to top up their accounts at special student rates.

“UM is currently rated the top ranking university in Malaysia, but it is our mission to see UM among the top 100 universities in the world in the next five years. Our partnership with YTL Comms and participation in the EPP program is a major milestone towards realising this vision,” said Datuk Dr. Ghauth Jasmon, Vice Chancellor of UM.

UM sees 4G Mobile Internet as a perfect tool to enhance students’ lives on campus, too. “The combination of 4G Broadband & Voice service under one account is a great value proposition to our students. When every ringgit needs to be stretched, it helps that our students can use their 300 megabytes of free broadband to make free phone calls, too. Considering that the majority of their calls are made to friends and colleagues on campus, the savings they will be able to realize are substantial,” elaborated Dr. David Asirvatham, Director, Center for Information Technology, UM.

UM is Malaysia’s first public university and a Research University, as designated by the Government. As such, UM actively spearheads a number of research-intensive projects in ICT and Computational Sciences, Biotechnology and Bioproducts, and Health and Translational Medicine in which it applies the power of Grid Computing. However, due to the current bandwidth limitations, the Grid Computing can only extend to the servers at the time being. 

“With the superior performance of 4G, that delivers connectivity in megabits instead of the kilobits we currently get with 3G, the power of grid computing can easily extend all the way to desktops and devices, too, significantly improving our research process,” added Dr. David.

“We are very impressed with UPM’s and UM’s vision to create superior academic environments and we are extremely pleased to be their partner in realising this vision,” said Yasmin Mahmood, Executive Director, YTL Communications. “We are building a better Internet for everyone, a 4G Mobile Internet network that truly empowers all people, and we want our students, the leaders of a better tomorrow, to be the first to experience this most advanced Internet technology available today.” 

Information Technology News from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

Wednesday, 28 December 2011 17:14 Last updated on Wednesday, 28 December 2011 17:23
UPM Dean: Malaysia Needs to Produce Own Cyber Security Software

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 DECEMBER, 2011: Malaysia needs to produce its own cyber information security software as depending on foreign software may risk information leaks and intelligence breaches, said a software expert here today. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Computer Science and Information Technology Faculty dean Prof Dr Ramlan Mahmod said infiltration could happen covertly as currently there was a lack of understanding on source code logic streams used by foreign software.  "At the moment, there is no software capable of checking the source code of software to ensure the software used is confirmed safe.       "For the realisation of this information technology, the country needs to acquire 'technical knowhow' in information security and expertise in various fields such as computer science, mathematics and engineering," he told Bernama. He said to acquire the expertise, the nation needed to carry out the foundation work such as training more experts in information technology and by bringing in more external technologies into the country.        Dr Ramlan said information leaks could happen in two situations, that is when the data was in transmission and hacking of existing data in storage. "To prevent hackers from attacking data in transmission or unauthorised access to data storage, the information could be encrypted or hidden. "This is the basis of information and software development important to ensure our cyber defence," he said. He said the government needed to play a major role to set up a strong system of cyber defence as it needed financial commitment, expertise, legislation and continuous monitoring. "Cyber security is the same as national security involving many operational aspects such as prevention, defence, detecting, intelligence and attack. "It also needs sophiscated technical knowledge in information security and continuous upgrading of capability considering hackers are also improving their attacks," he said. - Bernama

UNIMAS Upgrades Its Internet Access Capacity

THE increased application of information communications technology is one of the cornerstones of the Educational Development Masterplan 2006-2010 under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

In line with this, Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) has signed an agreement with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) to implement a major upgrade of UNIMAS' Internet leased line capacity from the current 8Mbps to 34Mbps by June 1.

This increase in Internet access capacity will meet the administration, study and research requirements of 7,500 UNIMAS students and staff.

TM has been the primary Internet connectivity provider to UNIMAS since 2003, and currently provides its tmnet direct solution to UNIMAS via a dedicated link.

UNIMAS was TM's first tmnet direct customer among institutions of higher learning in the country.

Founded in 1992, UNIMAS is the eighth public university in Malaysia and the first in Sarawak. It currently hosts 19 faculties, institutes and centres in a wide variety of study and research areas, including computer science and information technology, resource science and technology, as well as biodiversity and environmental conservation

ICT News from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

PeopleSpace Technology and Universiti Sains Malaysia Redefine the University Journey

Written by Tim
Tuesday, 20 December 2011 01:40
New engagement portal for alumni will extend the USM learning journey throughout graduates’ life and career. Leading Malaysian HR, management and advisory consultancy PeopleSpace is proud to announce a new partnership with Persatuan Alumni Universiti Sains Malaysia (PAUSM) to create the USM Alumni Gateway, an online portal that will enable Universiti Sains Malaysia students to continue their lifelong education after graduation. The USM Alumni Gateway will provide a suite of online learning, engagement and peer networking tools that will empower every graduate to reach their full potential throughout their career and life journey. The Gateway will focus on developing key life skills like leadership, entrepreneurialism, self-awareness and lifelong learning. It will also create new networking opportunities and allow alumni to engage their peers, the business world and the wider community in a revolutionary way. By inspiring and encouraging the whole alumni community to make a positive contribution throughout their lives, the Gateway will help to fulfil USM’s mission of “Transforming higher education for a sustainable tomorrow”. PAUSM President Dato’ Syed Jamal says, “The Alumni Gateway is a significant step in delivering continuous alumni contribution in the making of academically qualified and world-ready graduates." Luc Andria, CEO of PeopleSpace Technology said that PeopleSpace believe great things can be achieved when individuals are empowered with the tools to excel in their life journey. “The Gateway, based on PeopleSpace’s leading Community Campus solution, brings together the whole USM community, creating a vibrant network of empowered University alumni, students and staff. As a result, we’re expecting to see USM graduates make their mark on the world as never before.” The USM Alumni Gateway will launch in Q1 2012.

ICT News of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

The First 4G Outlet Launched in UTM Johor Bahru 
  
Thursday, April 7

“YES Campus Store”, the first 4G outlet at an institution of higher learning in the country is launched at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The UTM Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang said, the initiative to open the said outlet enables the UTM community to get the 4G mobile internet services at an affordable rate.The package, Education Partner Program Campus Citizen Plan, facilitates the UTM community to use the 4G network which has been customised with a special package.

The Yes 4G mobile phone is also launched today exclusively for the UTM community. The YES Campus Store was launched by Dr. Zaini. Also present was the Executive Director of YTL Communications Sdn Bhd (YTL Comms), Yasmin Mahmood. Although more than 80 percent of the student residential colleges have been provided with internet coverage through the installation of almost 1,000 wireless hot spots, the 4G broad band services will extend the students’ accessibility to the online learning materials and services.

The facilities enable more than 20 thousand students to utilise the advanced communication and information technology as part of their learning process. The initiative is in tandem with UTM teaching and learning policy which emphasizes the use of e-learning while focusing on the development of soft skills among students.

The expansion of the broad band and internet accessibility will give great impact to the students of UTM as it enables them to obtain the information required particularly in research and development speedily and promptly. Such facilities are most appropriate as many of the learning references and materials are made available through the internet. In addition the technopreneur program will get the advantage of the services provided by YTL Comms through high speed internet.