International Conference on Research and Innovation in Information Systems – 2011 (ICRIIS’11) - 23-24 Nov 2011

The objective of ICRIIS’11 is to provide a platform for researchers, academicians, professionals, government and private sectors from all over the world to present their research result and innovation in the field of Information Systems and ICT .

ICRIIS’11 will be hosted in Kuala Lumpur, beautiful and vibrant city of Malaysia. The organizers cordially invite scientists and practitioners in academia, industry and government to share and present their latest findings in IS research and innovation that are related to the conference theme i.e. “Service and Innovation in Information Systems”.

The MoU also aimed to build up the creative industry by producing skilled and competent workers from UNIMAS with the assistance of Aizo Digitalworks

KUCHING: To further equip the Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts to a higher level, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Aizo Digitalworks at the university here yesterday.

Present to witness the exchange of documents were Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Abang Haji Openg, Minister of Housing and Urban Development and Datuk Haji Fadillah Yusof, the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation.


UNIMAS was represented by Professor Datuk Khairuddin Abdul Hamid and Dean of the Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts, Dr Hasnizam Abdul Wahid while Aizo Digitalworks was represented by its Executive Chairman, Abang Abdillah Izzarim Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari and Director Irwan Mohd Marzuki.

Aizo Digitalworks Sdn Bhd, established since 2008, is an animation company located in the Multimedia Super-Corridor (MSC) of Cyberjaya, Selangor.

Under the MoU, there will be close cooperation between UNIMAS and Aizo Digitalworks to open up opportunities and exposure for students of the creative faculty to face the needs and challenges of the industry, said Prof Khairuddin.

Abang Izzarim in his speech noted that one of the key areas in the MoU was to provide industrial training to UNIMAS undergraduates.

Prof Khairuddin noted that Sarawakian students were a creative bunch by nature.“With this cooperation, the students should take the initiative to display their talents and creativity more intensively so that later they could pursue further their careers in the field”.

Fadillah said: “The New Economic Model introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak pinpoints on the intellectual development with high innovative abilities to move the nation, and in this instance, the animation industry is a lucrative one as demonstrated by the success of ‘Upin dan Ipin’ and ‘Salahaddin’.”
 
News Taken From : The New Sarawak Tribune, Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

Roles of UMS-LIC in overcoming ICT development challenges among SMEs in Labuan

18 May 2011
Tamrin Ambola, and Goh, Say Leng and Mohd Zulkifli Muhammad, (2010) Roles of UMS-LIC in overcoming ICT development challenges among SMEs in Labuan. Labuan e-Journal of Muamalat and Society . pp. 34-44.
UMS KAL as a University is always perceived as a workforce supplier rather than as a continual training partner and provider for SMEs and professionals at Labuan. As an international financial hub the ability to adopt ICT and e-commerce among SMEs are no longer an option. A campus located in Labuan offers great opportunities to be grasped by SMEs to achieve that goal. However, due to the growth characteristic of ICT, skills shortages will remain as an issue haunting SMEs. Continuous staff training is the way out, however many SMEs are reluctant to train their workforce. Issues and barriers pertaining to skills development were reviewed by referencing previous studies undertaken. The paper highlights ICT skill challenges facing SMEs in Labuan. The paper concludes by outlining several suggestions to improve on ICT development among SMEs in Labuan. This paper highlights how UMS-LIC can play its important part to promote socio-economic development in the field of ICT.

Solacia inks $16 million USIM card deal with SK Telecom

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Solacia has announced it will provide its NFC-enabled USIM cards to SK Telecom, South Korea’s largest mobile service provider.
The $16 million contract, which also calls for Solacia’s Combi USIM, is the first of its kind for USIM technology, setting a new precedent as global mobile companies prepare to integrate NFC into new mobile devices, according to Solacia.

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Solacia, which also makes an LTE USIM it claims will be the future standard of 4G, is providing its NFC USIM cards to SK Telecom rival KT as well in a deal worth approximately $1.6 million.
“There have been many technical debates between LTE and WiMAX for the standard of 4G, however, LTE has been clearly adopted as the standard and endorsed by North America’s two largest mobile carriers and others around the world. There is no longer a debate for the 4G standard and the technical advantages of LTE but, rather how fast and effectively LTE can be applied in the market,” said Seung Jin Park, Solacia COO.
Solacia will begin providing its USIM cards to SK Telecom in March 2012. 

Exxon Mobil funded investigation of UMT

Exxon Mobil Malaysia Inc. finance the investigation of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) through Fakulti Agroteknologi and Food Science (FASM) in a ceremony on 23 Mac 2008 check at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
With this financing, UMT will seek to increase again keupayaan R & D and help Fakulti terms of the arrange money financing investigation in addition expected to improve performance and competitiveness of UMT in the education sector increased global kempetitif which selari with the goal of UMT to be between 500 and Universiti world's best.
Majlis delivery of checks that took place in the House of Universiti, UMT, Exxon Mobil Malaysia was represented by Y. Bhg Tuan Syed Mohsin Syed Helmi, Executive Designer Huluan Exxon Mobil Exploration & Production Malaysia Inc. when the UMT is represented by Y. Bhg. Prof. Dato 'Dr. Sulaiman Md. Yassin, Naib Canselor Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. Piece replica of a check worth RM30, 000.00 was presented to representatives of Exxon Mobil Naib Canselor UMT.
Fakulti Agroteknologi and Food Science UMT has been selected to receive financing investigation of ExxonMobil in 2007 as much as RM30, 000.00 it than 45 papers that received high-grade reserves of petroleum's IT infrastructure. Among other elected IPTA is UM, UKM and USM.
Dr. Hii Yii Siang of Fakulti FASM has mengenepikan other investigators through his study paper entitled "Formulation of Floating immobilized Microbe for Biodegradation of Tapestry Blended Crude Oil in the Marine Environment". This is an investigation relating to treatment of oil pollution at sea.
Prof. Dato 'Dr. Sulaiman Md. Yassin in his speech to appreciate the willingness and confidence in Exxon Mobil's ability and experience of the investigators UMT. He also adds to his form of financing is the other opportunities for cooperation, cooperation between the two sides will be more open and steady.
Say in the majlis, the representative of Malaysia said Exxon Mobil "it also contributed support to other educational programs, especially in science and technology such as science develops programs with the Center for Science Quiz Terengganu and science to middle school.
Majlis held on this day also is Exxon Mobil one of Malaysia's efforts in fulfilling their corporate responsibility to continue to support the efforts of the people Tempatan.(URL):-News Date: 13/04/08Date: 10/04/08 till: 10/04/08Source:Owner's E-mail: umt.edu.my

UTHM Assessing Electromagnetic Leakage from Microwave

Microwave the hardware found in most homes in the country. Does a microwave that you use safe from leakage of electromagnetic energy to exceed the limits recommended by international standards. Electromagnetic Compatibility Centre (EMCcenter), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia in Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor has been conducting research related to ensure that the microwaves are marketed in this country does not leak electromagnetic energy exceeds the prescribed limit of 5 mW/sm2 at a distance 5 cm. Chief researcher of the team who is also chief EMCcenter, Assoc. Dr. Zarar Mohd Bin Mohd JENU explained that apart from a new microwave, oven has been used also tested to check its performance. According to him, "A total of five brands of different microwave ovens were tested using the latest equipment such as Semi-Anechoic Chamber and the Electric Field Probe. Based on measurements done in the oven door glass panel leaks resulting in the maximum for all brands, but only a brand recorded readings exceed the standards of 10:19 mW / cm ². Therefore as the precautions, it is advisable for users to be at least 1 meter from the oven is operating. "According to Dr. Zarar, the oven door is stained with oil and food debris contributed to the leak because it affects the ability to weaken the metal oven door of electromagnetic energy that leaked out. Therefore it is recommended that users keep clean, especially the sight of each oven door. In this study also found that the use of transparent film mounted berkonduktor in the oven door to reduce the leakage of electromagnetic energy up to 45%.EMCcenter, The university is a center of research, testing, consulting and education in the field of electromagnetic wave that is equipped with the latest equipment to offer services to government and private agencies.

The university's leading robot competition in 2011 won the category 'Paintball Robot' Print E-mail

A group of outstanding mechanical engineering students from Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Fakuliti has achieved outstanding performance when it is able to bring honor to the University of Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (The university) when crowned as champions dalan category "Paintball Robot" in Malaysia University Robot Ambon (Muroc 2011).
The annual competition was organized by Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), located in the Hall of Vision 2020, Kangar, Perlis from 25 to 27 February 2011. Muroc includes three categories: "Paintball Robot", "Rope Climbing" and "Fire Fighting".
In the closing ceremony, the team "Paintball Robot" from The university was awarded the championship trophy and a check delivered by DYTM Faizuddin Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail son, Raja Muda Perlis.
There are nine teams from public and private universities that participate in Paint Ball. On the first day of competition, The university team has won six of eight matches including the match: the defending champion, UPM team. Results The university has earned the team to the final spara and met again with the defending champion UPM. After a tough battle The university team has managed to deceive the opponent and book a ticket to the match: final against the hosts, UniMAP. In the final, The university team has managed to grab the title and made history for The university.
Quick and easy has become a key concept in the design of the robot UTHM. It is easy to install, durable and easy to maintain. Many electrical and electronic components have been supplied by the Laboratory of Industrial Automation and Robots Laboratory, Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (FKMP). In addition, Robotics Laboratory, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Electronics (FKEE) also contribute expertise and share components. Fabrication work was done in Computerized Machining Laboratory, Laboratory of Advanced Machining, Conventional Machining Laboratory, FKMP. All development work has been supported by laboratory technicians involved in the monitoring of the academic staff. It is something to be proud that there are no technical problems faced during the contest period.
Teamwork and mental strength of students and staff from various fields have been evident during the preparations for the tournament. Students take three months to complete the design, perform fabrication, installation and ujilari their robots. The competition gave the opportunity for students to strengthen the engineering knowledge they have learned with soft skills. It has been proven that academic programs developed by academic members FKMP have positive values ​​in theory and practice.
With this victory has injected a spirit of cooperation between staff and students to achieve the perfection of teaching and learning and exploring new knowledge and technology with wisdom.

Issued by:
Salim ShafryPublic Relations OfficerUniversiti Tun Hussein Onn MalaysiaTel: 07-4537025 / 013-7330655
Last Updated (Tuesday, March 22, 2011)

REVIEW WORKSHOP SYLLABUS FOR DIPLOMA AND DEGREE INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

Thursday, 04 August 2011 00:54 
Kaswadi Yusoff 
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Kuala Terengganu - The Workshop commensal Silibus Diploma and Diploma Program Reka Forms of Industry has been going on with his prime at 11 to 13 Julai 2011 at Hotel Grand Continental, Kuala Terengganu.
Programs that organised by Fakulti Reka Forms Innovative Technology (frit), Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) aims to see the original structure of the program, silibus recitation, charging the course content to follow the guidelines established by the Feasibility Agency Malaysia (MQA) and the Ministry High Pengajian Malaysia.
Busy as 16 people working frit has been involved with this workshop which is controlled by a four-person panel of two experts namely academic, Prof.. Madya Dr. Hj. Khairul Aidil Azlin Abd. Rahman, Director, Institute of Reka Forms and Innovation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and pensyarah Position Mechanical Pepejal and Reka Forms, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Dr. Dzulkifli Awang.
When two people more than the industry expert panel is Azali namely Haji Abd. Rahim, ESTEC Steering Sdn. Bhd.. and Abu Bakar Mohamad Sobri, Reka Forms Management, Panasonic Manufacturing (M) Sdn. Bhd..
This workshop has triumphed produce structures diploma and diploma courses study Reka Shape Industry Competitive, containerized and regular.
It was researched and took some shortening of the three-year diploma course to a two and a half years. The preparation of diploma programs may also be seen and arranged to allow students Diploma Reka Forms Industry (especially students frit) to continue teaching at the rank diploma by taking only two and a half year period.
Filling the program content and learning outcomes changed and arranged so that programs offered more steady and equal to the lectures offered by Universiti-Universiti other. He also arranged so that students produced can meet industry needs.
News sources FAKULTI Reka FORM AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGYLast Updated on Thursday, 04 August 2011 00:56

UTM IC RECEIVES NTNU, NORWAY DELEGATES

Posted by Sharifah Fadzlina

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 14:00

UTM International Campus Kuala Lumpur received a delegation of staff and students from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU, Norway) on April 26, 2011. The visit was part of the delegation’s technical visit to Malaysia, which starts from 25-29 April 2011, hosted by Institute Sultan Iskandar (ISI) of UTM. The delegation, headed by Prof. Rolf Andre Bohne and Prof. Hallgrim Hjelmbrekke were received by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Latiff Mohd Ibrahim, Deputy Director of Office of international Affairs. This is the highest number of visitors to UTM International Campus. A brief discussion and exchange of information with UTM Officials was held. The participative student delegates expressed their interest in joining UTM Summer School programmes and made further enquiries on student enrolment, the strength and accreditation of academic programmes, scholarships and funding assistance for students. Also present in the welcoming session were, Prof. Dato’ Azhari Md. Salleh of UTM Perdana School, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Bashri Sulaiman, Deputy Dean of UTM Razak School, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Faridah Shafii of ISI and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wardah Zainal Abidin of UTM Advanced Informatics School (AIS).

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 03 May 2011 10:27 )

UMK Information System is Affected

University Of Malaya DNS Security Extension

by Shaun Nichols

16 Feb 2011

A panel of security experts has given an early thumbs-up to the DNSSec security protocol.

Icann chief executive Rod Beckstrom, cryptography pioneer Whitfield Diffie and security researcher Dan Kaminsky were among those who spoke on the progress of the security standard at the 2011 RSA Conference in San Francisco.

Designed to prevent "cache poisoning" security attacks, the DNSSec system is designed to provide a secure method for exchanging and verifying DNS traffic. Rollout for the platform began last year when DNSSec was put in place for the .org and later the .net domains, with plains to extend into the .com space"What has been happening so far with this rather rapid propagation… I think this may well continue and may make a genuine difference in overall security," said Diffie.

Kaminsky, whose research into DNS vulnerabilities made headlines in 2008, admitted that while he didn't think he would ever be on a panel extolling its virtues, he now had to concede that DNSSec had shown great promise thus far.

"We have a lot of things to fix, and I don't think I have seen in my entire career a budding technology that has the potential to fix as many things as DNSSec," said Kaminsky.

The panel warned that challenges could lie ahead for the system. Nominum chief scientist and DNS inventor Paul Mockapetris warned companies to adopt DNSSec early and plan in advance to deal with the system's inevitable growing pains.

"You need to make sure that your DNS software is updated," Mockapetris cautioned.

"You have to make sure that you keep up with it because there are going to be some bumps in the road along the way."

Architectures, Tools And Methodologies For Developing Efficient Large Scale Scientific Computing Applications - ESC11 of UM

The third edition of the INFN International School on "Architectures, tools and methodologies for developing efficient large scale scientific computing applications - ESC11" will be held in Bertinoro (Italy) from the 24th to the 29th of October 2011.

The school is mostly targeted to PhD students, post-docs and young researchers who are actively involved with the development of scientific applications and systems. Familiarity and experience with basic concepts of modern OO languages, in particular with C++ language, are essential prerequisites to attend the school.

The program of this year is structured along three main tracks:

• The basics of efficient computing:
• impact of new CPU architectures
• parallel programming
• tools and methodologies for improving performance
• C++ quality

Effective memory management:

• the memory crisis
• how memory allocation works
• managing memory usage in practice
• memory exploitation in parallel processing

I/O efficiency:

• data access patterns and I/O techniques
• local and remote I/O protocols
• I/O performance bottlenecks

Efficient software development:

• Physical design of SW
• Software Development Models

Lectures will be interspersed with tutorial and practical sessions, providing opportunities for direct applications of optimization tools and technologies as well as for interactions among students, lecturers and tutors.

A few special keynote lectures are also foreseen:

• "Linux on Multicore: challenges and perspective" - Andrea Arcangeli (Red Hat);
• "GPU for scientific computing" - Alessandro Lonardo (INFN Roma 1);
• "OpenCL and the quest for Performance Portability" - Timothy G. Mattson (Intel);
• "High Throughput DAQ Systems" - Niko Neufeld (CERN)

The school offers the possibility to participate in a final test and Bologna University grants 3 credits (ECTS) to the students who successfully pass the test.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOPRENEURSHIP 2012 "Interacting Human and Technology" of UTeM

  

The IC-TMT conference presents to audience the concepts, theories and managerial perspectives, which address contemporary issues in mna ging technology and technopreneurship. The aim of IC-TMT 2012 is to provide a platform of collaboration for researchers, experts, scholars, and industrial practitioners in seeding knowledge sharing whilst addressing various issues in managing cutting-edge technology and challenges of sustainable technopreneur creation.

Organised by Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), this conference will be held on 7-8 February 2012 at Equatorial Hotel Melaka, Malaysia.

Learning Organization in Public Sector Universities: Policy Framework and Strategies of Universiti Malaysia Perlis

By: Dato’ Dr Ir Nordin Yunus (Visiting Professor)

Introduction

The proposed strategies in this paper were formulated taking cognizance of the current government policy on the modernisation of the public sector universities to meet the challenges in the rapidly changing environment. It is to be noted that the series of Development Circulars introduced by the Federal Government since 1991 and the Ministry of Higher Education recently are essentially aimed at creating a learning environment in the public sector universities.

For instance the advocacy of quality control circles, the use of manual work procedures and desk files, and even the introduction of punch clocks or cards and name tags way back in 1980’s, were aimed at to discipline the work habits of civil servants towards the process of improvement of individuals and the organisation. With the advent of ICT and the government commitment towards knowledge based economy to realise vision 2020, there is no other alternative but for the government agencies and public sector universities to be a Learning Organisation to remain relevant and effective.

Concept of Learning Organization

Learning Organisation is defined as an organisation in which people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns or thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free and where people are continually learning how to learn together (Senge, 1990).

Learning Organisation is basically an organisation that goes through 'organisational transformation'. In contrast to the traditional organisation that evolves through 'organisational development', this transformation process makes the organisation develop itself rather than be changed by external intervention. The development of a Learning Organisation involves the assumption that learning is of value, happens at all times, is a continuous process and can be shared (West, 1994).

Strategic Conceptual Framework

In attempting to form strategies based on the analysis made and the conceptual framework based on Peter Senge's five disciplines (Senge, 1990), following strategies are proposed towards creating a Learning Organisation in the public sector universities.

Strategy 1: Shared Values

Learning is the soul of the organisation. Everybody should be made aware and be conscious of this value. The people in the organisation must be seen to fully support and believe in continuous learning. An illustration of this shared value is the development of the vision, mission and objectives statement through the involvement of people from all levels in the organisation so that everybody learns and understands the process. Another shared value that the organisation should strive for is excellence in all aspects of the organisation's activities.

Strategy 2: Self-Renewal

Knowledge gained by an organisation should be used to further improve output and to avoid from being obsolete. In this regard, it is proposed that the series of all development administration circulars and guidelines should be updated and consolidated as a cohesive administrative reform program to realise the self renewal objective in the public sector.

Strategy 3: Foster Continuous Learning Environment

Organisation should encourage everyone to embrace continuous change and help develop a learning environment as in the Japanese Kaizen. This can be translated into learning opportunities through programs such as workshop, seminars, discussions, dialogues, group dynamics, meetings and courses. This can be reinforced through having continuous access to information through an established information system such as library, archives, boards, notes, ICT facilities, periodicals and news media. Top management should publicly talk about learning at weekly meetings, forums and monthly assemblies.

Strategy 4: Build Desire and Opportunity to Learn from others

Managers should facilitate learning from external and internal environment. Regular dialogues and interaction with the clients and partners of the organisation will enable it to meet the expectation of its target group and in the process strive for excellence in the delivery of its services. In this regard the practice of holding regular dialogues with the various partner organisations and stakeholders is an example of the adoption of the strategy which others should adopt.

Strategy 5: Better Managed Learning Environment

For an effective learning environment, the organisation should focus on training the trainers. Continuous and reinforced training should be practiced in the entire public sector universities. Organisation should provide adequate funding to ensure acquisition of better tools and use of improved techniques and methods of training and efficient support staffs.

Strategy 6: Changing Organisation Culture

For Learning Organisation to be effective, organisation culture must change to encourage learning. An example of good organisation culture is the Fish Bowl concept where the entire organisation is given the opportunity to participate and comment on future directions and strategies of the company. Open communication should be encouraged to draw lessons from success and failures. Failures are viewed as opportunities to learn. Corporate climate must engender learning and not stifle learning among its personnel.

Strategy 7: Retain and Retrieve Organisational Memory

Organisations must be equipped with systems for easy access and retrieval of records and information for personnel to review and learn organisations experience so that the organisation will have the benefit of hindsight and improve further in future endeavours.

Strategy 8: Empower to Stimulate Learning and Creativity

Managers in organisation must empower to stimulate learning and creativity through delegation of power at relevant levels within the organisation. In the public sector universities there must also be delegation and relegation of power between the central and operating agencies. For example, to provide flexibility to handle allocation and budget so that managers are not subject rigid rules and regulations that hinders learning and creativity.

Strategy 9: Availability of Skilled Manpower

Aspiring Learning Organisation should invest in the development of its human resources so that it can avoid the situation of having 'square peg in round hole'. It is wise for organisation to even "over invest" in people so that they can make excellent workers out of ordinary people. This is an area where the public sector universities must pay particular attention to.

Strategy 10: Synergise with the Environment

As a result of globalisation and the ICT revolution the public sector organisation should be adaptable and responsive to the changing environment. A case in point is where it is faced with competition from within, because of the liberalization in education and as well as rapid developments in technology. Organisations including those in the public sector universities should remain abreast and synergise with the environment to remain competitive and avoid obsolescence. This is particularly important as the public sector universities have continued to be the vanguard of economic planning and development of the country.

Conclusion

This case study (Yunus, 2000) has shown that the concept of a Learning Organisation is applicable in the public sector in Malaysia and therefore applicable to universities. The study confirms that many government agencies are considered as a Learning Organisation, albeit, not a fully fledged one. The adoption of the strategies proposed in this paper can facilitate the realization of Learning Organisations in the public sector universities in Malaysia.

It is important to have a concerted plan of action to create awareness in the public sector universities of the concept of Learning Organisation and its importance as a means for improving their efficiency and effectiveness in delivery of services. This will be in consonance with the objective of striving for excellence in the higher education service, particularly in the context of Malaysia's move to leap frog into knowledge-based economy to realize vision 2020.

UPM Raflatac partners with ICT

Posted in Latest News on August 14, 2008

International Coding Technologies, Inc. (ICT) has developed a wireless RFID solution for the concrete industry. The solution streamlines critical production and inventory management processes and uses UPM Raflatac's Gen2 RFID tags.

The system, TrackCon, offers a complete product identification and tracking system, using a mobile computer with RFID read capabilities and a Cast-A-Code tag to provide cradle-to-grave traceability of manufactured concrete structures, including precast, prestress and architectural products. The Cast-A-Code tag features UPM Raflatac's DogBone UHF tag and a water-tight, castable RFID inlay that affixes securely to concrete structures.

The manufactured concrete industry has historically struggled with inventory management challenges. Main issues include manually handled quality control processes, difficulties in verifying customer receipt of materials and high logistical costs due to material returns and reshipments. By serializing each structure and providing real-time data on the location of individual structures, TrackCon allows concrete manufacturers to optimize critical production and distribution processes.

‘After extensive testing, we determined that UPM Raflatac’s DogBone UHF RFID tags provided the best read rates from the furthest distances, allowing us to offer our customers a truly powerful RFID-enabled productivity solution,’ Tom Tilson, CEO, International Coding Technologies, Inc. said.

‘UPM Raflatac is pleased to partner with ICT to develop a new system that offers innovative, leap-ahead inventory management capabilities to the manufactured concrete industry,’ said Jan Svoboda, RFID sales & marketing director, Americas, UPM Raflatac. ‘We believe that the TrackCon solution and our DogBone UHF tag provide customers with powerful insights they can use to optimize their supply chains and strengthen vital business relationships.’

Problematic Software Courts Disaster, Says ICT Expert OF UKM

By Kuah Guan Oo
Pix by Saliman Leman

BANGI, 21 Feb. 2011 – Software with problems can cause disaster if they are not detected, tested and rectified in a framework of quality certification, says an ICT expert here today.

Prof Dr Aziz Deraman, who is the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), said softwares, like humans, are always exposed to diseases like heart attack which can be prevented if it is detected early.

He cited the case of the “SCUD vs Patriot” missiles during the Gulf War where 20 American soldiers were killed and 100 others injured when their Patriot guided missile missed hitting the Iraqi’s SCUD missile as an example where software with problems had brought about disasters.

An arithmetic rectification found that the time calculated for the Patriot to hit the SCUD was 0.34 seconds late and that even though corrections had been made earlier, it was not done to all its programming codes, said Prof Dr Aziz when delivering his inaugural professorial lecture titled “In Search for Quality Software”.

In the case of the rocket launcher Ariane 5 disaster in June 1996, the rocket exploded 40 seconds after take-off because the software specifications for Ariane 4 were used for Ariane 5 when the specifications of the two rockets were different.

“Pre-launch tests on the software were not conducted until the actual launch,” said Prof Dr Aziz who had served in UKM in various capacities for 28 years, including as Dean of the Faculty of Information Science and Technology before he was appointed Vice Chancellor of UMT last year.

He said with the ever-growing dependence on software, the challenges for research in search of quality software were to safeguard the harmony between the software and users; to detect software “illnesses” before disasters strike and to face the situation of attempting to measure the unmeasurable.

But the biggest challenge in the search for quality software was to try to measure the software because “we cannot control what we cannot measure”.

 

For this reason, several approaches had been developed to try to measure the quality of software such as quantitative values to explain a certain phenomenon; matrix size of the software which is getting less and less relevant and user evaluation that is directed at only external factors and matrix as a measurement of “quality software”.  

Prof Aziz, who had held the post of Deputy Director of the UKM Computer Centre, said the approach they had used to evaluate the software quality of the university’s  Centre for Information Technology was based on “Goal/Question/Matrix” or GQM which is a technique to identify the important matrix in the lifespan of the software. .

This approach could lead to the certification of the software by a third party similar to ISO certification, said Prof Dr Aziz who was born at di Kampong Tok ku, Cabang Tiga Kuala Terengganu in 1959.

He had his primary education at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pusat Cabang Tiga Kuala Terengganu and secondary education at Sekolah Menengah Sains Pahang before doing his matriculation at Sekolah Alam Shah.

He was offered a place to do medicine at UKM but he switched to Computer Science where he graduated with his first degree in 1982. He obtained his Masters from Glasgow University in 1984 and his PhD from UMIST Manchester in 1992.

Apart from his lectures and research works and publications, Prof Aziz is also active with organisations outside the campus where he had served as advisor, panel member and consultant in ICT. He has to date supervised 37 Master students and 20 PhD candidates.

USM PLANNING NEW ICT PEDAGOGY

PENANG, 23 Feb – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is planning on using a unique teaching and learning methodology in the field of information and communication technology. This new methodology will allow the students to understand the lessons in their own way and at their own pace.

USM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak said that the idea of using this methodology came about after a study by an ICT expert from India had shown that self-study has a positive effect on students.

He added that this methodology can transform the current style of teaching and turn ICT into a field that will have a wider impact on the creativity and knowledge of students.

“In the study carried out by the ICT expert, a computer was placed in an open space, where students could use it without any fear or specific instruction. The students had to independently learn to use and understand the instructions from the computer according to their own creativity, including understanding learning materials saved in the computer,” he said.

Prof. Tan Sri Dzulkifli added that the previous generation learned a lot of things on their own using trial and error. So if this strategy could be applied to the present generation, it is believed that the results would be very encouraging.

At the press conference after launching the ”Facilitating Effective ICT – Pedagogy Integration Workshop”, he explained that specific groups, including the indigenous community would benefit from the use of this technique.

He added that this methodology would be tested in an indigenous community in Banding, Perak. This indigenous community was adopted by USM after the ICT expert from India agreed to collaborate on this effort.

He further explained that learning ICT using this method would enhance the quality of teaching and learning, in addition to fulfilling the needs of the ‘bottom billions’ to equip themselves with the requisite ICT skills.

“According to the ICT expert, with only need minimal resources, this methodology is guaranteed to meet the learning needs of students, whose numbers might cross the billion mark. We have invited the ICT expert to USM to share ideas and implement this concept among the indigenous community in Malaysia by May 2010. If this is carried out successfully, it will fulfill another of our social responsibilities as a institution of higher learning,” he explained.

Meanwhile the three-day workshop, organized by The School of Educational studies (PPIP) was held in conjunction with the launching of the ICT UNESCO Bangkok Resource Centre- a collaborative effort with Unesco Bangkok for more systematic and effective ICT-Pedagogy integration.

Also present at the function that was attended by more than 50 lecturers and educators, were UNESCO representative, Dr. Molly Lee; Head of the Academic Sector of the Penang Education Department, Che Fatimah Othman; and The Dean of PPIP, Prof. Dr. Abdul Rashid Mohamed.

UNESCO Bangkok will set up the ICT Resource Center with the i-SMARTLAB – Integration of Smart Media in USM with funding from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).


Picture: Prof Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli (centre) listening to an explanation about one of the exhibits during the “Facilitating Effective ICT – Pedagogy Integration Workshop” from a staff of PPIP. With him is Prof. Dr. Abdul Rashid (right).

E-Appointment Scheduling (EAS) of UMP

NOWADAYS, Information Communication Technology
(ICT) impacts the human life. In realistic world, the need
for the system arises as a result of problem faced by users in
the current manual. ICT has started changing the modern way
of life, e. g., an online appointments system is helping to
reduce National Health Services (NHS) waiting times. A
hospital referral from a Government Policy (GP) is usually
followed by a long wait, but under new government
regulations this could become a thing of the past as part of the
NHS Plan, all NHS trusts must have an online booking system
in place by 2005 . Although automated messages have been
shown to improve appointment attendance, these studies have
not focused on the messages themselves. Improving the
design of appointment messages may further increase the
potential of automated systems for improving appointment
adherence .
  
E-Appointment Scheduling (EAS) has been developed to
handle appointment for UMP students, lecturers in Faculty of
Computer Systems & Software Engineering (FCSSE) and
Student Medical Center. It is an online application for
FCSSE’s student whenever applying to make appointment
with lecturers or doctor. All applications have to be sent to the
lecturers or doctor for approval. This system will give more
interactive for student to make an appointment through an
online system. By deploying this system, we can avoid

Noraziah Ahmad is with the Faculty of Computer Systems & Software
Engineering, University Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300
Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia (phone: 609-5492121; fax: 609-
5492144; e-mail: noraziah@ump.edu.my).
Roslina Mohd Sidek is with the Faculty of Computer Systems & Software
Engineering, University Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300
Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia (e-mail: roslinams@ump.edu.my).
Mohd Affendy Omardin is with the Civil Engineering & Earth Resources,
University Malaysia Pahang, Lebuhraya Tun Razak, 26300 Gambang,
Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia (e-mail: affedy@ump.edu.my).
wasting time and cost because this application will set an
appointment by auto-generated.  Therefore, this system is
hopefully to solve problem for scheduling. E-Appointment
Scheduling performs the related task associated with students
or lecturers and doctor such as:    
a- Student needs to see lecturers or doctor first before
make the appointment.
b- Student needs to fill the form before meet with the
doctor.
c- Consume more time to key in data into current system.
d- Increase error while entering data into current system.
e- The scheduling not effective for doctor and lecturers.
The system has been developed by using PHP tool in
Microsoft Windows OS. There are lot of advantages of using
PHP includes easy learning curve, database integration,
extensibility, object oriented programming, scalability and
rich features. It has been compiled with functions to interact
with MySQL database system. The system is debugged in the
local host server using Apache Server as the platform.

II.  RELATED WORK
A.  UMP Appointment
The current appointment in UMP is used by students,
lecturers and doctor to carry out appointment. In this report
explain the important of appointment at UMP meeting and
how the system organizes the appointment. This system
developed for e-meeting with C# and use for meeting
management [4].
B.  Concept of Scheduling
Scheduling is a problem that is grounded in many different
levels of computer science and computer hardware
engineering. Various scheduling and sequencing problems
have been addressed since the 1950's by researchers in
computer science, operations research and discrete
mathematics [5], [6]. In a business-computing context,
scheduling implies the automatic execution of background
tasks at pre-set points in time. Three types of scheduling
distinguished are native, basic and advanced scheduling [7].
C.  Constraint Logic Programming
Constraint Logic Programming (CLP) is a merger of two
declarative paradigms: constraint solving and logic
programming [3], [8]. Although a relatively new field, CLP
has progressed in several quite different directions. In
particular, the early fundamental concepts have been adapted
to better serve in different areas of applications.
E-Appointment Scheduling (EAS)

By : Noraziah Ahmad, Roslina Mohd Sidek, and Mohd Affendy Omardin

Race Car Creations UPNM

Author: Lt. Col. Assoc. Prof. Ir Hj Khalid bin Abd JalilJumaat, July 8, 2011

June 27, 2011 - EIMARace 2011 (Educational Innovation of Motorsports andAutomotive Race) is a motor sports competition organized by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Competition for the concept of building and racingto test creative thinking and soft skills of students to produce motor vehicles in addition to exposure in the automotive and motorsports. Competition held at the Speedway Dato 'Sagor, Batu Gajah, Perak, on 1 and 2 July has attracted32 public / private institutions and community colleges with 42 of racingmachinery.



Lt Gen Dato 'Wira Allatif bin Mohd Noor, Vice-Chancellor UPNM picture-taking with crew heroes heroes 2 One and racing car at the launch UPNM.

Engineering Club in cooperation with the Division of Student Affairs and Alumni(HEPA) participated in the contest by sending two pieces of machinery. Racingmachine named One and Celebrity Celebrity 2, was produced by the studentsUPNM with the help of technicians from the Faculty of Engineering was inaugurated by Lt Gen YBhg Dato 'Wira Allatif Bin Mohd Noor, Vice-ChancellorUPNM. The Council also attended the Top Management of the University, including three Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Academic and International), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs andAlumni) and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Industry and Corporate Affairs), Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Senior Officials UPNM. Engineering, represented the Celebrity Club Racing Team expect the moral support of all citizens to participation in UPNM will continue to excel. Pray for us. AMIN.